See where Hugh's been running today

Tricky morning.

Lovely route planned on minor roads. Unfortunately the road signs are limited, removed presumably for diversionary reasons from when Napoleon was sabre rattling a while ago. Should've have replaced them by now though. Consequently Hugh had to do a bit of a shuttle run whilst Samia and I sorted things out with endless electronic wizardry that I don't understand and the Ops Manager hat was exchanged for Acting Head of Tourettes Syndrome Association. Mother would have held her head in shame at the profanities.

The nav eventually sorted, I took time out to visit a small shop for Hugh's banana fix - in absentia of a suitable command of the language the double handed gesture drew cries of alarm from the rotund senora and I hot footed it out to a more commercial and impersonal enterprise down the road. Still, the lad must have his potassium.

Back on the road, it began to look much more rosy for Hugh. An intermittent knee injury is manageable if he walks rather than runs down steep hills, but generally he kept up a steady jogging pace. This was a day of pleasant sunshine, if cloudy, and on country roads; a Constable tableau. He was well into the zone and even ate a ham and plastic cheese sandwich I had 'made' for him without use of sterile culinary equipment.

The latter part of the day was one of breathtaking coastline, enviable surfing, impossible views, and other adjectives. I joined Hugh for the last 9 and a bit miles, penance for my poor route management and in a way, punishment as I didn't complete my full half marathon. Plenty of time to average that out though. Hugh, postively Teutonic in his discipline completed the impressive feat of 26.2 miles for the second day on the trot, despite a 1 in 5 hill I had chucked in for fun at the 22nd mile.

Samia helped again with some 'dynamic stretching' and we contorted ourselves once more to her satisfaction, or more probably, not.

Near the beach tonight in Santa Cruz (near Torres Vedras), we head off from the hotel tomorrow rather than an unnamed road junction so I'm hopeful of an uninterrupted run for the lad.

Hugh would like to than everyone for very generous donations and the emails he's received. The shin splints are at bay for the moment, knee holding up so steadily and surely he progresses. 'Go Hugh' T shirts anyone? We could do with a shipment.