Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
On the Road Again
So, after 5 nights in the eastern hills of Portugal, we have left for Spain. It was a wonderful campsite that was quiet, really well run and suited our needs.
Yesterday, now recovered from my 'bike bonk' of Monday I attempted another ride. Following the same route as before, I aimed to go a bit further. I hoped to get to about 70 kilometres (40 miles). Although the day began rather cool, it soon warmed up and I was able to make some steady progress. However, at the end of what is generally a benign road I began a descent of over 2 miles (4 kms) so decided that it was best to halt at that point. The return trip which meant an uphill slog of 6 kms in two different sections went reasonably well. I was beginning to feel it was the time for food, having passed one lay-by decided that I would halt just after a road junction. Then I realised that on the other side of the road, sitting in a plastic chair gazing at the road was a young lady. So I had to going! The ride was successful, if a little slow but reached about 45 miles. After Monday that was pleasing.
Our short journey to the autoroute passed through the wine country of Dao and some of the vine spread was impressive as well as the terraces on which the vines were growing. The motorway was even more impressive given its sweep through the hills and rocky heights of Portugal. To illustrate, last night on the camp site the temperature fell to 3˚! Those in tents were cold…..very cold! The comparison on reaching with Spain was quite stark. Whereas Portugal was very rocky and barren, Spain became quite rapidly a zoned of flat lands. From untended lands we moved into areas of animal husbandry and, just before reaching Salamanca, ploughed fields and crops. It was also flat for a long way.
One of the few places that stood out was Ciudad Rodrigo. I was expecting a town of considerable size but it seems to be quite small. Its existence seems based on its defences, an old walled town on the border with Portugal. Loved to have stopped but the need to get to Salamanca override other possibilities. Next time, perhaps.
Any way we will stay here for a couple of days before heading off to Madrid.
- comments
Jenny I wrote a message on an earlier blog, but it did not save for some reason. Portugal sounded really interesting and a country worth visiting. Enjoy Spain again. J