Setúbal to Vila Nova de Santo André

November 3, 2024

I think I’m coming down with a cold. My runny nose was solved with a Benadryl but my lack of energy is frustrating. We were thinking of going all the way to Vila Nova de Milfontes (107 km after the ferry) because that might be a better place to be if/when the weather turns bad tomorrow, but I only had the energy to get to Vila Nova de Santo André.

Our apartment was very close to the ferry terminal and we’d ridden past yesterday so we knew where to go. There were 4 other loaded cyclists on the half-hour ride. We spent the voyage continuing our conversation started in the waiting room with a British (him) and American (her) couple who now live in Annecy. They were on coupler-equipped titanium tourers ordered through a shop in Maine, where she used to live. They haven’t flown with their bikes since moving to Annecy. They were fully loaded with camping gear and had been on this trip for two and a half weeks. They left the ferry terminal ahead of us and we never caught them. Al could have, of course, but he’s a nice guy who stops and waits for me.

The ride today wasn’t particularly interesting. I didn’t take any photos but Al took a couple to show the road:

South of Comporta, where our cruise through had yielded no coffee.

South of Melides, typical of the view for the rest of the ride.

We had stopped to eat some of the food we’d brought (cheese, leftover bread and chicken from last night, a couple of mandarins) in Carvalhal, mostly because we thought we could find a bench to sit on. That we did, but there were no other reasons to visit this town. Like the others, it seemed to be almost entirely composed of low-rise vacation condos, but why someone would choose to vacation here eluded us. We are simply passing through because it’s on our way.

At this point it was clear that Vila Nova de Santo André was going to be as far as we’d get. I could have made it to Sines but that didn’t sound any more appealing. So here we are at the Hotel Vila Park.

I’m tired, it’s Sunday, and most of the nearby restaurants are closed. Al did the research, I napped. This hotel has a restaurant so we ate there.

I had grilled salmon. Hiding under the salmon and lemon slices is a heap of sautéed vegetables.

Al had fried cuttlefish. It wasn’t quite the Setúbal style, not being breaded. But we aren’t in Setúbal anymore.

With luck we will be moving on tomorrow. I think my energy level will be enough to get us another 50 km to Vila Nova de Milfontes. The possible problem is on both weather apps I use:

The rain doesn’t look too bad (and is lighter now than when I looked this afternoon). The issue is the headwind. We will be continuing south.

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Today's ride: 57 km (35 miles)
Total: 120 km (75 miles)

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Scott AndersonWell rats, Jacquie. Hopefully tho will pass quickly.
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1 month ago

Patrick O'HaraHope you feel better.
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1 month ago

Betsy EvansUgh. I hope your cold doesn’t amount to anything, and that the weather behaves itself.
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1 month ago

Karen PoretYes. No cold to thwart your travels! And, most certainly not worrisome enough to morph into something “else”..You don’t need “drama”…
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1 month ago

Margie AndersonMy sentiments too. M.
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1 month ago