NO REST for those wanting to see what beauty is around them! It seemed everyone in the guest house went to breakfast at the same time so the room was pretty full. I asked if I could it out on the outdoor deck and could, so did. A couple from France who are hiking joined at the table next to me. We had a little chat since they had a number of questions about the goings-on in our part of the world and fully sympathize.
Breakfast was all sorts of yummy things so I filled up nicely, then got ready with a light bag with full intentions of cycling to the interior. But first, I would take a little detour over to the wall overlooking the beach and cove... so decided to ride along the coast a wee bit.
I descended to the beach then began to climb the other side when I saw a rideable portion to the cliff's edge so went that way. This led to a spot where a staircase went down the hill and disappeared around some rocks. It was at this point that the Germans I saw yesterday in Almograve and here in Zambujeira. I asked if they could signal a thumbs-up or down depending on whether or not the staircase continued down to the beach. Thwy got there and... full thumbs up. They continued on the walking trail which climbed up the other side after crossing a small stream. I picked up my light bike and walked down the staircase to the beach. To the secluded beach with only me on it. With that same stream cascading down the cliffside. And the waves crashing against the rocks and washing up the sandy beach. I nerdily drew a little note into the sand then went and actually dipped my tired into the water. This may not be the smartest thing to do with a bike that has mostly aluminum parts, but I just wanted to do it. I can fix it later on if it corrodes.
After nerding out, it was time to hoist the bike and start the long climb upward. It was not hard at all, and I simply took my time. Back to the top I rode to a nearby dirt path which led to the paved road so I could continue on my way. This time, away from the sea and inland.
The road was not as beautiful as seaside, but interesting nevertheless. There were dozens and dozens of greenhouses. I think some had strawberries and I think some were olive seedlings and some might have been almond trees. Not positive, though. Most workers seem to be Nepalese, so between them and the Indians, I am seeing more non-Portuguese than Portuguese. Though I suppose they ARE Portuguese now.
The road was quiet and it meandered through slightly hilly terrain with a light breeze at my bike. There was a definite incline overall so my return would be pretty much downhill. Pretty much.
When I got to Sāo Teotónio I found it was fairly stretched out along the road and along a long ravine. When I finally got to the 'centro' there was a little traditional cafe so there is where I stopped and ordered a latte and goodies. I considered ordering the prato do dia, but was not in the mood for a big lunch quite yet. Maybe once I return to where I am staying.
I sat for quite a while and just watched people about. It is a fairly tiny village but enough cars went through and a few people were coming and going. What I did notice is that there were quite a few Indians all kind of hanging out doing nothing but either texting or talking on their phones. This seems common - even in stores as they are serving people. Seems odd to me.
Enough dawdling done, I headed back up the long climb out of town until I crested the summit by the town sign and then headed straight back to Zambujeira. As I mentioned earlier, this time I had a gentle headwind, but the route was downhill the whole way so it took no time at all and I was back here. I dropped the bike back off at the guest house, then took my small bag and headed out on foot.
Last time here, the owner had suggested a walk to the nearby beach so away I went toward Praia do Nossa Senhora. I went down the 180 or so steps to the beach but this time had no bike to carry around. Again, I was the only one down there, so just sat at the base of the staircase and watched the waves crashing and crashing and crashing. Another amazing day with time spent by the water. Always a great thing in my books.
When I got back to my room I read some sad news about one of Alex's co-workers to see how he was doing. Though very sad news, it was nice to chat with him before he headed to school for band practice.
Though only late afternoon, my day is starting to wind itself up. Back at the guest house I went over my bike to tighten any loose bolts (there were a few) wipe any of the excess oil from the chain (I oiled it up before heading out this morning) and adjusted the brake pads so they wouldn't be rubbing and slowing me down. Finally a little wipe to remove excess sand and dirt and I think Badb is ready to return to the road tomorrow morning. The route appears short, but I think I'll add a bit more depending on if I get to my destination before the rain starts. It looks like quite a bit of rain by early afternoon.
MY initial thoughts were to head straight inland but first I had to peek at the beach from the wall's edge. -- Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
I continued along the Fisherman's Trail for a wee bit, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but another spectacular spot. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
I had met a group of Germans in my guest house in Almograve and they ended up at my same spot in Zambujeira. They came up behind me as I was eyeing this beach and they gave me the thumbs up that the staircase that disappeared down the hill did go right down to the beach. While the hikers path did not descend to the beach, the stream they crossed did providing this awesome cascade down the cliffside. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. So I had to scribe some required information into the sand! -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
It was a bit of a feat to carry the bike down about 150 steps, but at least my bags were back in my guest house which made things a lot easier. I took my time, step by step, and then I was there with the beach with surf crashing onto the rocks and sand, and the water cascading down the cliffside. And I was the only one there... the only nerd on the beach with a bike. -- Praia Alteirinhos, Portugal
After exploring the beaches, I returned to my original plan of heading inland for a wee ride a bit into the interior. Along the way I met up with some curious little ones. -- near São Teotónia, Portugal
After exploring the beaches, I returned to my original plan of heading inland for a wee ride a bit into the interior. Along the way I met up with some curious little ones. -- near São Teotónia, Portugal
I stopped in the town 'centro', found a cafe and ordered a latte and a few goodies to go with it. They had a prato do dia on offer, but I was not in the mood yet for a heavy meal. -- Sāo Teotónio, Portugal
Once back to the guest house, I dropped off the bike and heade dout on foot to the nearby beach where I had gone in 2019 and enjoyed it solitude and beauty. -- Praia do Nosso Senhora, Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
Once back to the guest house, I dropped off the bike and heade dout on foot to the nearby beach where I had gone in 2019 and enjoyed it solitude and beauty. -- Praia do Nosso Senhora, Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
Once back to the guest house, I dropped off the bike and heade dout on foot to the nearby beach where I had gone in 2019 and enjoyed it solitude and beauty. -- Praia do Nosso Senhora, Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal
