Feb 21, 2025 - Lisbon to Setubal - Random Acts of Kindness (Tour 27) - 2025 🇵🇹

February 21, 2025

Feb 21, 2025 - Lisbon to Setubal

Introducing Badb ('Bav')

Lisbon to Setubal, Luna Esperanca Centro Hotel

Being corny and choosing a name for my bike other than 'Bike' I mused a bit over a suitable name. I may have come upon one with numerous meaningful threads. And me being one who enjoys noticing patterns and intertwined threads, I came up with Badb.

Badb (Celtic)

- pronounced 'Bav' which was a pub we used to frequent during our years at Western

- the bike is a Bad Boy Ultra; Badb is similar but with parts removed

- speaking of removed parts,I have removed part of the bike's decal - the part with a flag

- to me, an intriguing bird has always been the crow. Many years ago we fed an injured crow who used to circle over me when I headed out for my bike ride. Cycling and crows are entwined for me. Badb is associated with crows.

So, in these times, I introduce and set out with Badb. Corny, but hey, I'm nerdy that way!

The first part of setting out was getting across the estuary. I once took a little ferry that was like a cork bobbing in the water. As much as I love water and boats - being locked inside of that was nerve-wracking so this time I chose the train.

I was up early to check on last night's Four Nations hockey final to find that Canada emerged as the winner, with Connor McDavid scoring in overtime. Great start to the day.

I was down for breakfast shortly after the 7 am opening where I chatted with a young Dutch couple who were heading to the airport for a flight to Brazil to start their open-ended backpacking tour of South America. Soon the breakfast room was full and seeing that I was done I went up to prepare for my departure. With bags mounted on the bike I steered toward the Entrecampos station to catch my train.

I rolled right into the train and was able to sit by the door which made it easy to hold the bike then pop out once I disembarked. Still no rain falling, the skies were looking to be full of weather so I did not dawdle, setting my GPS to my Setubal hotel. This section would not be a EV route, but not to worry - tomorrow I join EV 1. This meant that I was on a fairly busy road that basically went from suburb of Lisbon to suburb of Setubal until I saw signs for the city. Still no rain.

I knew I was close when I started meandering through narrow streets with older buildings - I was to the original fishing village part of the city. In moments I emerged in the town square across from the hotel where I had stayed in 2019. I rolled the bike right into my hotel then stored it in the employees' section and then sat down and chatted with the desk clerk about Canada, Portugal, and things going on in the world. Interesting.

Starting to get hungry I headed out to wander a bit first but with such a fierce cool wind I was happy to get to the fish and fruit market where I could meander a bit through something I don't see in our wee town. Trying to recall where I had eaten last time, I went out and around the corner and sure enough, there was the Sado restaurant where I had left it. Agin, I was the first one there before locals were hungry. The owner showed me the fish on display on beds of ice and I chose a sea bass. How did I know which one to pick? Well, it was a fish and it was dead and I know I love sea bass.

The fish was excellent as was the salad, the roasted potato and the pineapple Sumol! It took a while to eat as I pulled the flesh from the bones, but it was well worth it.

Now full, I wanted to see where I'd be taking the ferry in the morning so headed to where the incoming lime green ferry was going to dock. I found the ticket booth where a not-so-friendly agent sold me a ticket for me and my bike for 5.50 €. At this time of year there are southbound ferries every hour at the bottom of the hour. Breakfast starts at 7 am tomorrow so I figure I'll catch the 830 am ferry. Tomorrow should be another easy day as it is only about 25 km along fairly flat terrain.

I wandered alongside the seaside a bit but the wind was really strong and there were a few drops of rain with a very serious looking cloud bank on the way in. In the distance to the west I could see the mountains of the national park peeking through the clouds and mist - I would have to miss out on this beautiful park yet again. Bad weather hampered things last time, as well.

I came back to the hotel where I was able to check in to find a bathroom with a big beautiful tub. What better than that?