ISO Hiking Partner

Some of you already know my constant hiking companion, Deuce the 2-iron.  My pacifier, conversation starter, ball retriever and repurposed hiking stick.  I doubt he'll accompany me to Portugal.  TSA gets one look at him and they'll confiscate him.  He doesn't fold up, so can't go in checked luggage.  I can't palm him off as a cane.  So I suspect I'll be looking for a "hiking partner" when I get to Porto.  As a backup I can put my hiking pole in my pack (it folds up), but that wouldn't feel right.

Believe it or not, I have located a golf course in Porto.  It's about 6 miles from my hostel.  I get in around 7:55pm on September 11, so it'll be late when I get to the hostel.  If I can get up early enough the next morning, I can catch a bus to the course to see if they've got an old club they wouldn't mind getting rid of.  Just like I did in Scotland two years ago.  I'll have to figure out how to ask "Do you have any clubs to spare for a Camino hiker?" in Portuguese.  Or use Google Translate.  I've got a lunch meeting with our group on September 12, so it might be a tight squeeze getting to the course and back when you throw in jet lag.  I'm willing to give it a shot.  Sure would be nice to have a stand-in for Deuce!

 




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