Alter do Chão

April 3, 2024

Sunshine! Almost, but not quite, warm with a light breeze. Perfect cycling weather. But first, a morning stroll around Elvas.

A Camino burro in Elvas, waiting for Tourist Information to open

Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in the morning sun

On the rear wall of Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral

Another view of Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral

Looking north over the walls of Elvas, with Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graça on a distant hillside

Suzanne, Janos and I met in the plaza around 10 and a few minutes later were winding our way down the cobbled streets of Elvas and exiting the walled city through one of the small portals. It was a straight shot along N369 to Alter do Chão, on a route that took us through a number of small towns and a landscape bursting with color. We stopped briefly in Barbacena, lured in by the bright blues and whites of the Chapel of Our Lady of Nazaré, then lingering for a snack in the chapel courtyard.

Janos exits Elvas and leads the way to Alter do Chão

Snack break at Chapel of Our Lady of Nazaré

Vivien George gets her moment in the sun, again

It was a fundulating day, full of ups and downs that sometimes taxed but were always rewarded. We played leapfrog much of the day, as I fell behind on longer uphill sections, then caught-up on downhills and straight-aways. The frequent need to pull over for a photo-op was an affliction we all shared.

After a short snack in Monforte, we rolled through Vaiamonte and up through the spa town of Cabeço de Vide before arriving at our lodging – a hotel and spa located about a half-mile from the center of town. The hotel was run by a very nice couple who spoke only their native Portuguese. Luckily for me, Suzanne is a lover of language and was able to communicate quite effectively, even accepting the offer of a ride into town for dinner.

As wonderful as the day had been, the best part for me was when I looked out the window of my room and saw a small flock of sheep basking in the sun. Like me, they left for dinner but returned beneath my window, satiated and ready for a good nights sleep.

Red was the predominant flower color of the day

Farm buildings were a rare sight along the route today

Mom seems skeptical of the little lamb's food choice

I wonder if they count people as they fall into sleep

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Today's ride: 39 miles (63 km)
Total: 345 miles (555 km)

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