nbjtours

Quinta Valbom 84 miles 8322 ft

Today was about getting into Portugal and that we did after climbing to the top of the Portela do Homem, little did we realise at the time there was another 600 ft to the very top of this climb.

The other big thing of the day was the as ever the frequent barking of dogs as we rode past. Chris is no great lover of dogs and every time one starts to move or bark Nick reckons he changes into Chris Froome as the adrenaline kick sees him accelerate past us both.

To get Nick back a stray mutt wandering down a slope went straight for Nick as he was whizzing past at 25 mph or more and making an attempt at his ankle only managed to get a pedal in the head. The dog and Nick both survived unscathed.

The day started as ever at 8.30 sharp and after a long 900 ft climb in the first 5 miles we actually then enjoyed about 25 miles of flat riding across a plain before the next set of hills started.

Taking one of the back roads we were amazed to come across these Roman pillars – we later learnt that the pass we took across into Portugal was in fact used by the Roman military and there were more signs of their via by the roadsides

As usual Nigel”s coffee stop was at the top of a hill and we enjoyed a great view whilst eating our egg and bacon sandwiches. The weather held off all day with a bit of sun on an occasion but mostly overcast and we only had a couple of spots of rain, but we were glad to get down from the top of the pass as the clouds started to gather 

Having passed into Portugal the differences between the two countries were very apparent. Portuguese roads are generally not as good , they have more traffic and every now and again they suddenly become cobbles. 

The descent from the border was enlivened by several hairpins but in the middle there were these fully cobbled versions which we were glad were taken in the dry.

Further down the road opened up and dropping over 2200 ft Nigel was unable to keep up with us as we headed for the next dammed river valley which had been turned into a leisure lake with swanky homes hugging its shores and pedalos moored at the edge. 

A final tough climb warranted a fist pump as it must have averaged over 10% for its 2 km length. The hardest so far.

Portugal seemed busier than Spain and we saw many more people in the fields and about, tending sheep, pushing wheelbarrows or as these guys were doing 

Loading logs onto a lorry across the road. We had to squeeze between the two with the logs hovering above. Just after this I got a puncture with only 4 miles left to go. It’s not often we see haystooks these days. 

There was a drop to the campsite and then a 300 yard 30 % hill were we did get off and push.

The campsite (www.quintavalbom.nl) run by Dutch people with whom we enjoyed a pleasant vinho verde, is as ever immaculate, and the camper and tents are parked below some fantastic orange trees whose fruit is superb.  Chris is hoping for a quiet windless night so he is not bombed by falling oranges.

Apparently it is also the 100th anniversary of the famous Fatima apparition and the Pope is due to visit later this week. We have passed many pilgrims on our travels and whilst thinking that they were going to Santiago de Compostella many are on their way to Fatima which we are staying away from.

Please excuse the spelling and grammar as after a long day and with my eyesight failing and autocorrect putting in words I cannot see you may spot some unusual sentences.