Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Yesterday, someone got lost after lunch, missing a turn and ending up closer to Vila Viçosa than Mouro 😂. Funny, but not so funny—we’ve all been there! Luckily, they realized after about 15–20 miles and had to be rescued 😂😂😂. Of course, no one brought it up during the evening... not at all 🤥🤥🤭.
Today, we’re celebrating Nigel from Australia 🇦🇺, who I’ve been cycling with most of this week. It’s his birthday—happy birthday, mate! 🎂
Mouro is such a charming little town. It’s the birthplace of Miguel Garcia (apparently, a famous footballer—though I know didly squat about football). With 228 club caps to his name, I assume that’s pretty impressive 🤷♀️.
The town is also home to the Mouro Photovoltaic Power Station, one of the largest in Europe! Quite a claim to fame.
Interestingly, Mouro is twinned with several towns around the world, including a town called Mouro in Australia 🇦🇺.
Like many towns in this region, Mouro has cobbled streets. These charming yet bumpy roads force you to slow down—whether you’re on a bike or in a car. But beware, they’ll shake your bones 🦴, rattle your teeth 🦷, and can even cause anything loose on your bike to fall off!
Last night, we stayed at a hotel that perfectly captured the charm of the region. Its classic white façade, accented with blue windows and doors, exuded timeless beauty. This historic building featured stunning architectural details, including a grand staircase that greeted us in the entrance lobby.
It's hard to believe, but today is our penultimate day 😢. Time has flown by so quickly! The rainy start feels like a distant memory now. This morning, we meandered over the cobblestones, leaving town behind as we set off for Mértola. The day's journey covered 66.66 miles (107 km) with 2,887 ft (880 m) of elevation—a relatively "easy" day by our standards. According to Garmin, today's route included four climbs 😂😂.
We crossed back and forth between Spain and Portugal today, which meant all our devices kept switching time zones—quite the distraction! Reaching our lunch stop was no easy feat, thanks to a relentless headwind. After lunch, the roads turned increasingly uneven, making it nearly impossible to find a smooth patch. To top it off, we faced powerful crosswinds gusting across the hillsides, turning the descent into a true white-knuckle experience as I navigated hairpin bends. If I didn’t need new brake pads before, I probably do now!
Have you ever stumbled upon something that feels completely random? While it might not be as random as it seems, today we discovered what appears to be a race track under construction in the most unexpected place – Vila Verde de Ficalho. The circuit looks fantastic, featuring a sleek, smooth surface that promises thrilling rides ahead.
Mértola, our destination, sits proudly atop a hill—ei would be disappointed if it wasn't really! 😁 The town features an intriguing castle, which I’m excited to explore later.
My room is an absolute treat, boasting not one but two balconies—pure bliss! 🥰 Time for a quick shower, then I'll decide which balcony offers the best combination of sunshine and stunning views. After that, I’ll head out to explore this charming town and get everything ready for our final day tomorrow. The next two photos capture the breathtaking views from my room—what’s not to love? 🥰
Thank you so much for reading! Wishing you a wonderful evening, and I’ll catch you tomorrow! xx
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Today sounds like another challenging day for you as usual you rose to the challenge The first few days it was the rain and now gusty winds . Enjoy your evening
Stunning.
thank you x
Oh my oh my. I keep waking Indy up as I laugh out loud so much at your bloggs. You really need to write a book. Once again you have captured the day so vividly. I’m slightly concerned you can go for 15 miles before knowing you are lost 🤨 Enjoy the final soirée tomorrow and I do hope you came to a decision regarding the balcony 🤣
The balcony was a tough choice 🤣
Delightful Wendy thank you so much for sharing your amazing adventure with us all - great fun! Your photos are great too & really give us a flavour of where you’ve been & whaf you’ve seen …
Thank you Mary, Portugal is a lovely country. I can't take credit for all the photo's my photography skills are sadly lacking
What a lovely day you’ve had and what another great read! The poor guy who got lost… I’d have been done after 20 miles! Thankfully you were all reunited!
The views look great. Have you been able to sample any of the wines now you are near to the end?