Hot,Hot …and Hotter !

Well, I had another week, so what to do ? Firstly, have a look round places I’d not been to, and as I’d seen a lots of the Portuguese coast, I decided it was time to have a look up and over the hills at the back of me… A chap on another pitch had told me of a route to ride, up and into the mountains and hills, and along the coast… so undeterred I set off early Tuesday morning ( well, not too early) along the coast road towards Vila do Bispo, on a slightly cool day , and having reached there, I turned up and into the hills, on a nice undulating road, which kept climbing towards the distant windmills on the top of the hill…amazingly enough I was soon up there, on a level with them, even time to smell the flowers..!! things were going well, I was feeling good, even though I knew I had a long way to ride today… having swept by the windfarm I then dropped down , again along the coast, and down to some smaller beach villages, even stopping at one for a breather, and bite to eat… I continued through the hills, with lots of colourful flowers in the meadows, and with a good road, and little traffic it was good…. although after some time I was beginning to wonder where I was going, and whether I’d missed my turn somewhere…however, I eventually found a road sign indicating my road off to the right, and again climbed up the hills up towards more windmills, and the top of my route… across the hill roads, and over the top, eventually joining up with the main road down to Lagos… which seemed to go on and on, and on…it  was hot, and well past noon, with not much water left… then, I was in Lagos, only the final hill out of there to climb and back to the campsite, a good 72 kms ride… and I was ready for the Jacuzzi in the pool, and afternoon snooze !

Wednesday I decided not to ride a bike, but to walk… so off into the morning sunshine I set, down to Praia da Luz, and left along the clifftops up to the ‘day mark’ on the hills above, with good views down into Luz, and along the coast … I was amazed at how many building there were, I’d not really seen from down below.. I kept walking along a well defined path, towards Lagos in the distance, watching the sea pounding the rocks below , and viewing the cliffs below me, and all the differing levels of rock on show, quite a sight !  A lovely bright and clear day, which got hotter as I walked along the cliff top path. I eventually came to a point where I could see the busy built up Lagos in the distance, and a hill to descend….. so I turned around back to Luz, and treated myself to a nice lunch of sardines,salad and potatoes… before climbing back up the hill to the campsite, and another rewarding rest…a good 20 kms walk again !

Thursday I decided to take things a little easier, so rode my mountain bike through Burgau, up onto the clifftop path, and along to a hilltop fort, passing by several secluded beaches, one of which I finally got my feet wet in !!  , as well as collecting a few interesting stones and shells….before climbing up to the ancient fort, which appeared to be undergoing a ‘facelift’ ( more European funding !) , and then back along the road to Burgau, another beach , Luz and campsite, (another 25 Kms!) for a gentle afternoon, and evenings rest… before more adventuring, whilst I’m here in the hot sunshine , forecast to get even hotter !