Setubal to Carvalhal, Alojamento Local Verde e Mar C$105
IT SEEMS I must have been tired from the last few days. I fell asleep really early yesterday evening and woke up around midnight only to fall back asleep until past 7 am. Holy smokes.
By then I was hungry so headed up to the fifth floor dining room where there was a really nice breakfast selection in a room that looked south and out to the Sado Estuary. It was still somewhat dim and hazy out but I could see clear skies above!
Last night I had slipped back downstairs to the storage area to rescue the Crow and bring it up to the room so I would know 100% that it was fine. Remember: no bike, no bike tour. So I loaded the bags on right in the room, wheeled down the hall to the elevator and down to the lobby to check out and slip outside into the glorious sunshine.
My goal had been to make the second ferry of the day, at 830 am, and within minutes I was down the street and around the corner to the ferry dock. At this low season only one of the ferries is operating, so the red one was sitting there idle, and soon the lime green active one slipped into its moorings. Right on schedule it tooted and headed south with me at the side enjoying the views south to the Troia Peninsula and back behind us to Setubal and the mountains to the west. Beautiful views and fresh sea air to breathe.
The ferry ride took about twenty minutes and then I began the real cycling of the day - up to the main road and south through the pine forests and dunes. There is a lot more built up compared to 2019 but still, I soon came to forested dunes and open areas with only the occasional car coming along. This was certainly no highway.
As I rode along the sun was shining, the wind was at my back and I could hear the surf somewhere over to my right to the west. A few times I gave thought to crossing the dunes where others had walked but the sand was so soft it was impossible with the bike. At the first opportunity where a road presented itself, I chose it and went to explore. There was the Atlantic in all of its grandeur crashing in white foamy waves on the endless sandy beach. It was SO beautiful! When I arrived there were two other people in the whole area and when I left, there was only one man heading along the beach to go fishing. I am guessing this beach must be busy in the high season.
I continued south toward Comporta where I diverted from my route once again. A friend had shown me some good routes so I went to explore the area. Little villages, vast rice fields, fishing areas and... a nice little restaurant where I stopped for a morning latte. Only a few other people about, but a peaceful spot that I quite enjoyed.
I continued a while through these back roads until I decided to start toward my lodgings for tonight. I set my GPS for the hotel which then brought me through another village until it got me back to the road I had been on earlier after taking the ferry. Within a number of kilometres I had arrived to my hotel which isn't really in a town. The village of Carvalhal is about 3 km further south, but this seems to be a simple cluster of buildings for summer holidayers who head to the beaches. Nothing here, otherwise, though the hotel is quite fine, the staff is really pleasant, and a nice surprise - breakfast actually IS included so I don't need to load up with too much food.
I was able to check in early then headed south to the town to seek out a supermarket for some meal items. A nice looking town, Carvalhal had a well-stocked market store where I picked up fruit, bread, cheese, drinks and snacks for lunch. There is enough for supper, or, I can head back to town since there were quite a few restaurants around.
With my groceries in hand, I carefully cycled back to the hotel where, again, I snuck the Crow up to my room where I knew it would be safe. Lunch on the patio then a bit of a nap and I'll figure out tomorrow's exact route to Sines.
The skies are looking much better this morning as seen from my hotel room. -- Setubal, Portugal
Mind you, the view outside the hotel right alongside coud be nicer considering there are beautiful pine forests and sand dunes everywhere. -- Carvalhal, Portugal
