65.7 miles, 1633 metres climbed, 1598 metres descended, average speed 10.3mph. Another bright sunny day with temperature of 26C. Not much respite from the sun.
Didn’t get to the hotel until 5pm after a long day so not able to post at the moment. I hope to catch up later.
Got to the hotel in reasonable time today so here are some details of yesterday’s ride.
At Friday evening’s meal we were entertained by 3 piece guitar group and singer playing traditional Portuguese music. We left the beautiful old converted convent hotel at 9am and headed towards the foothills of the Serra de Estella, Portugal’s highest mountain range. The landscape is changing from the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley to one of boulder strewn hillsides. Grapevines have given way to young olive trees.
Lunch came at 39 miles at the bottom of a long climb up to the entrance to the Parque National da Serra da Estrella. As we approached we could see an elaborate wooden walkway which had been constructed from a dam down into the steep valley.
The day finished with a climb up to another hilltop town – Belmonte.
Climbing with support from Dylan our group leader.
We have just caught up with your blog Peter.
Thank you so much for sending us the link.
The scenery looks spectacular , even if it is a bit hilly!!!
Do take care and love from us both,
Bill and Brenda
x
It gets more desertic as you go south.