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Published: September 22nd 2016
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Restaurant Adega
This was the restaurant at Quinta Dos Tres Pinheiros 7 September, Wednesday, day 12, Mealhada to Agueda. 26 kilometers.
Internet service at Quinta Dos Tres Pinheiros was not available in the room and the lobby was dark and locked, so Karen and I sat on the steps to work on blogs. The Internet from the lobby was strong enough on the front steps for us.
The doors opened at 0630 for the bread delivery and shortly after tour groups assembled for breakfast. One group of at least 40 people were from France.
We worked on photos and titles and got a blog ready to review and saved before going in to have our breakfast.
At 5 minutes until 8 we had our bags in the lobby and we're ready to start today's walk. Today promises to be about 16 miles but the temperatures will have cooled by about 18 degrees from what they were since our arrival in Portugal - HOT. And the day started out with a dense mist in the air and very low hanging clouds so that walking with a 59 degree temperature was cool and comfortable. We backtracked a short distance from our hotel to pick up the Camino. We were so
busy talking we missed a yellow arrow! A kind lady, airing out her linen, pointed out where to go and wished us well.
This was a cool morning of walking - both literally and figuratively. We walk, in a big loop, in a eucalyptus and pine forest. With the mist and early morning light it reminded me of the old nursery rhyme, "One misty, moisty morning/ when cloudy was the weather." I would not have been surprised if I had "met an old man, clothed all in leather." Well, we did not met the old man but we did see many an animal!
We stopped for morning coffee in the little town of Arcos, next to the church, where we met Brad and Kathy from Carlsbad, California. The barista was a very pleasant man at Cafe Pena and made wonderful cafe con leche.
In Avelas de Caminho we run into Brad and Kathy again as they are leaving Caminho Bar. We enjoy a drink outside with a group of motorcyclists.
At the far end of town we veer off by a chapel and come to bodega offices. This winery has been in the family for many
generations. The bodega is called Caves Sao Joan. The tasting room entry features beautiful azulejo tiles in the entryway; the tiles include those showing the wine making processes.
Nearby is the beautiful little Capela St. Joao. All the buildings in the area appear to be connected in some way with the winery and all is neat as a pin.
We stop for coffee in Aguada de Baixo, next to a church whose entire front is covered in tile - exquisite. While standing there a classy woman comes up and invites us for champagne in her home. We reluctantly reply we must be on the trail to make Agueda before dusk. Again we are fortunate to be traveling with a practical pilgrim (Jo) who thinks we better keep on the move. Harlan and I are open to serendipity adventure which may, or may not, lead into situations we had not bargained for!
Later in the day as our spirits and feet are lagging, a man in a panel truck pulls up and asks if we are pilgrims. We reply in the affirmative and he hands us three plastic bags, each with a bottle of cold water and an
apple.
We pass a kiwi plantation. Portugal is making a pitch to be a bigger player in the European kiwi market. Their marketing touts them as being of a better quality - of course, surprisingly, they come with a premium price!
The sun has finally shown its face around 12:30 and it has been a good day for walking. We have made a descent into Agueda, crossing an ancient Roman bridge over Rio Agueda. Umbrellas are everywhere in this ancient town. According to the website, 'bored panda.com' the umbrellas are part of the Agitagueda Art Festival. The tradition is only three years old but has already earned world fame for this little town.
A nice hotel, right in the center of this beautiful, vibrant little town awaits us.
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