A couple of questions to start off the day 😂, we have passed lots of sheep 🐑, & goats 🐐, wearing bells 🔔 around their necks.
- What's that all about? (Maybe because of the circling vultures or because the sheep can be found easier 🤷♀️)
- How do they sleep? 😴 ( if I had a bell round my neck & couldn't sleep, I'd be right grumpy)
On a separate note:- 📝
We cyclists are a strange breed 🧐 obviously we like to be kitted out with the latest cycle fashions, tech and worry about stats & performance. 😳🤷♀️🚴♀️👍 we also like to faff, the more faffage the better
When a large group (is it a gaggle?....) of us arrive at a destination, it usually involves food (coffee & cake fav's but not always). We will quite happily eat our combined body weight in cake 🎂, coffee, beer or anything else that is on the menu. The poor cafe owner might look at the trail of devastation as we, the cyclists, happily replenished, leave discussing the next climb or the next new bike. (I have included myself in this....... 😂) This week I've seen 20+ of us arrive somewhere all at the same time (e.g. breakfast) start at one end of the buffet, decimate it and leave, it's like a plague of locusts decsending 😂😂😂. Of course this is a personal observation.....but I have found it quite amusing 🤪
Well Vila Vicosa did not disappoint. Apparently the name translates as "Lush Village" because of the fertility of the soil.
It is a fabulous place. Pink Marble all over the place, including I'm pleased to say in the hotel we stayed in. It is everywhere, in shops, bars, kerb stones....😊👌.
Portugal used to be a monarchy & Vila Vicosa housed the Ducal Palace. It was for many centuries the House of Braganza, one of the most important noble houses of Portugal. However, in October 1910, Portugal became a republic and Vila Vicosa fell into decline. In the 1930's things started to turn around & now it is like a open air museum. 😊 A beautiful place & well worth a visit. Like a lot of the places I have visited this week, I would like to come back & spend more time here.
Leaving Vila Vicosa we are heading to Moura some 64 1/2 miles (104 km) 3,543 ft (1081 metres) of ascent & 8 climbs all apparently "easy", including the 7.9% average one!!
We had a change for lunch today & took an hour off the bike to explore Monsaraz (it's at the top of a hill). I am so glad we did, it's a fantastic place, stunning. Gilda prepared a picnic for us in the sun at the top, simply wonderful. It's difficult to describe how amazing it is. I put a couple of photos below, they really don't do it justice 🥰 They produce a local gin, I sampled 2 and bought 2 bottles - just have to work out how to get them home.
After lunch we cycled across the Portuguese wetlands, very, very windy as it's so exposed, but stunningly beautiful & well worth the headwind. Boulders were jutting out of the water like soldiers standing to attention, lots of wading birds, with the sun glistening on the water it was quite lovely.
We passed through lots of villages (complete with requisite cobblestones), most of the houses were painted white, with blue doors, windows & fences. Very pretty & attractive.
You will be be pleased to know I've been singing again today. I've changed the lyrics to Roy Orbisons' "I drove all night ...... " to "I rode all day ....." it was that or "Take me home country road....." 😂😂😂. I must be the most tone deaf person on the planet 🤪😳😱. A few of the group moaned that I'd given them ear worms 😂😂
I've added a picture of our route through Portugal. It is an amazing experience & it's hard to believe we only have 2 days left. The yellow dot (squiggle) indicates where are are.
We have just arrived in Mouro, the hotel looks amazing. so I'm off for a shower & to explore. Thank you for reading & I'll see you tomorrow xx.
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Wow what a journey.
Thanks Lou, it is beautiful xx
What a fantastic route you have taken great to see the map. You must be on a high the whole time, how on earth will you come down to earth
Xx
Thanks Doreen, it is such a great way to see a country. Have a bigger challenge lined up for next year. See you soon xx
What a fab experience! Well done Wendy. It’s really a cake and cycling trip then? Does Chris read this?! x
Thanks Paul, it’s an amazing experience. Chris sees it first every day. Have a fab holiday. See you soon x
Moura was a lovely place - we shared a fab tapas dinner with fellow cyclists (couldn’t tell you the name of the place - it was all side streets!). Hope you don’t get the torrential rain we had on leaving Friday morning. Can’t believe you’re nearly at the end.
Mouro is lovely & the hotel is amazing. I think the whole group have ended up in the same place eating pizza 🍕 😂. I’ve got my fingers crossed on the weather 🤞
Great day Wendy - keep singing!
It was a superb day Mike, not sure anyone liked my dreadful singing 😂😂
Wow Wendy! Such a full message and such superb pics! I just want to leave now/immediately! On another note I know exactly what you are saying about locusts descending on a ‘feed zone’ -remember Richard & I are the very proud parents of four very large super athletic men -( pro rugby & rowing) in their younger days they could demolish a buffet with ease! Great guys to take anywhere where it was ‘Eat as much as you like’ … we certainly got our moneys worth!!
Loving your blog … enjoy the last 2 days … where’s your next adventure going to take you?
Thanks Mary, it is amazing to watch us all work our way thru a buffet 😂
Some lovely photos today and the map shows how far you have done does look a long way on a bike 🚴 glad to hear you are still singing 😀
Thanks Babe xx
Omg - awesome job babe ! Exhausted just reading your daily accomplishments.
We are now in a Florence - going to Venice tomorrow.
Hardest thing I have done today is finding an ice cream shop and a bar. Saluti 😘
Thanks Liz, enjoy Florence & Venice. Catch up soon xx
Those little villages are just beautiful. Lovely history behind them ☺️ sounds like a lovely route. Hope you having fun ☺️
The villages are lovely, not so sure about the cobbles 😳. The route is fab, definitely lots of fun xx