Day 19 – to Campo de Geres

Both Wednesday and Thursday were forecast to be with heavy rain, but Wednesday afternoon we got a break, the wind and rain eased to just showers, and the dog and I could get out for a walk for a couple of hours. I found, as it seems so easy to here, a maze of footpaths just up the hill opposite, which gave good views over this piece of river, just below the Entre Ambos name on the map below.

The river here provides most of the interest for tourists once the season arrives, though the site has some very smart new cabins which are busy every weekend.

I had spent the morning catching up with book reviews, and as a break, took coffee in the site cafe with Sonja, the German woman in the white campervan just opposite me. There has been the odd motorhome coming and going, but for three days, we have been the only people here. We took a couple of beers together on the first night I was here, we get on well, and more importantly, our dogs do..

The two staff are also keen to chat, as they must be so bored with so little to do. Now at least, both of them are aware of Portugal’s incredible qualification for the Rugby World Cup. To spread the word to unknowing Portuguese is my chief mission while here. I fought off all attempts to change the conversation to football..

On Thursday morning the rain was even harder than Wednesday, but abated at a similar time at least. I had a similar morning to yesterday’s, but with the cricket from Bangladesh forming the first couple of hours of it.

I was in half a mind to leave today, half to stay until tomorrow, but in the end moving on won over, and we were away by mid-afternoon. Sonja was heading north, on her way home to Nuremberg over the next couple of weeks.

The road across the National Park was tremendous to drive, narrow, and alternatively winding and steep, often both. It wouldn’t be a good idea to be on this road in a campervan if it was busy. I saw barely anyone. Most villages are cobbled, and in wet conditions mean traction can be an issue. Cloud hovered, showers peppered, often heavy, but there were glimpses of the tremendous views. Hopefully better tomorrow.

I’m parked up at the museum in Campo de Geres, next to an adventure centre with a cafe / restaurant. The community has a power cut at the moment, which I found out chatting to the staff at the horse stable close by, but hopefully tomorrow the cafe will be open. It looks an excellent place for an early Friday evening.

The bridge below is Roman, part of a 318 kilometre Roman Trade Road, built in AD80. More on that tomorrow, as I plan to hike a section of it..