Is it possible you remember in the beginning, maybe the first week or the second week of this trip, I went to a pop-up restaurant? I was still walking, no wheels yet, so it was quite a way out of the town. The owners of the mobile restaurant decided to move away from Zambujeira Do Mar, after being there about 4 to 6 weeks. The mobile restaurant,called Sobre Rodas, decided to move to the town of Santa Clara-a- Velha.
Apparently there is an a dam here in this town. I didn’t notice that, and I just crossed the bridge and there’s no water under it. I don’t know if the dam changed the Mira river here into a dry spot. I am standing on a sidewalk, in the town of Santa Clara; I was stopped here and can’t leave yet.
Read onward and I will explain.
Wouldn’t you know it, it’s April 2 and I am again wondering why there’s a police presence, as I drive, not as many as yesterday. I’m on the highway now and everywhere I turn there is one of those officers with the very fluorescent green vests. Has someone posted a notice that there’s a crazy Canadian woman loose in the country?
Just turning into Santa Clara, an officer stopped me, and asked if I had a place to stay for at least 10 minutes., I asked why. She said bicycling…blah blah blah. You know the rest. The event is obviously on for the weekend! It is a youth cycling competition (although several competitors don’t look that young); here we go again.
It was a lovely drive to this town, over hills and into valleys, and around hairpin bends. I wanted to get out and take pictures but, you know what happens when I start doing shooting- I get into trouble all the time, and there’s not much of an area to pull off.
After an hour or so looking around, I headed home. I did find the mobile restaurant but they didn’t seem to be set up and reaching them was by a very steep dirt path. I couldn’t find another safer access.
It’s my last evening here in Zambujeira Do Mar and I’m sitting across the road at the coast line having a beer. It’s not the usual Sagres- it’s actually a Heineken, which I bought for a change, since I’m on the move starting tomorrow. I’m toasting the sunset on my last day, here in the south.
A couple just passed me.I toasted to life and we began a conversation about Portugal and how lovely it is. I said I was going home this week. Oh move back here bring your family! That’s what they said. This is the third safest country in the world. So what are the first two? Does anybody know? I know it’s probably not in North America! It is probably a Nordic country.
It’s still 18° here and it’s bright and sunny. The sun is setting. I can see the moon up there on the opposite side. The tide must be out because I could see the beach right below me and the water is really calm right now it is really peaceful here.
I will go back now and prepare to leave in the morning. I am a little sad but I look forward to being home again. I will miss BC. I didn’t expect to get so attached but he is a survivor, much as I am. Tomorrow it is on the road again and Lisbon. Until then friends.
Let us know how you are doing in Lisbon.