Campsimo Aberto

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Yes, this campismo is aberto (open). And this is Gerri back again, taking the blog writing from Lady who seems to think that she's doing all the work on this tour. Not so. In fact, as John Howard once said, "The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine." I do, however, appreciate Lady's being so cooperative as I change gears hundreds of times a day.
We began the day climbing (no surprise there) out of Alcobaca in moderate traffic. We spent most of the morning riding through light industrial areas (a lot of brick factories, "ceramicas") and farmland. At a stop in a small town Bill bought a Coke and we munched on our stash of goat cheese, pao (bread), and apples. Many kilometers later we treated ourselves to the ubiquitous ice cream. And now, we sit in a very nice campground in Tomar, about 80 kilometers ridden today. On the way into town, we stopped at the Convento de Christo, a castle/monastery first built in 1160 on the grounds of a former Muslim town and later becoming the headquarters for the Templar knights. They are still doing excavation on this huge, sprawling medieval structure. Of course, it's at the top of a steep, steep hill!
Dinner tonight was the first time we've eaten in a "nice" restaurant. Bill had Brazilian steak; I had pork and beef fillets. The meals were served with fresh chips and rice, a strange combination, but a delicious meal. The waiter must have thought we were both camels; I think he got tired of serving us water.
A couple more Portuguese observations:
1. As we have noted on previous trips to Europe, the floors are marked differently. Our first floor is their ground floor. Our second floor is their first "piso."
2. Drivers here tend to give you as little room as possible when passing. The driver coming toward the cyclist moves over a foot or two, giving the driver in your lane an extra foot or two; few slow down but it's much better here in the countryside than in the urban area.
3. One other driving observation: The powers that be place traffic lights wherever they must feel that too many people speed. Those lights turn red and green at random intervals.
Well, it's 9:30, getting dark and we are tired. The ride tomorrow is supposed to be over 100 kilometers -- not sure we can do that with these steep, continual hills. Not sure where we'll end up, but we will be thinking of you all!

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Comments

[Albuquerque Gary]

Great adventure
Sure enjoying your blogs...stay safe. Jim and I completed the Iron Horse - Durango/Silverton a week ago.....wow did that hurt!!