finally reaching Portugal

After I had cycled through the north of Spain without taking a proper break I have finally found a good spot to take a good amount of rest. It is my second day without cycling and tomorrow morning I want to hit the road again.

I was glad I found a safe spot after my last post because it was around midnight, very cold and very windy and I underestimated the darkness when there are no stars or a bright moon.

When I woke up the next morning I was very motivated to cycle towards Portugal. The landscape already started to change, more trees were showing up, especially oaks, there were more boulders on the side of the road and you couldn’t imagine how I jubilated when I spotted the first cork oak and some rock roses next to it, these are very common in Portugal.

To some of you that might seem odd, but to me it was a sign I am heading towards the right direction and that I would soon come home.

On my way I was supported by a gentle push from the back by the wind which made me feel very great, because my body started to feel a bit worn down after all. I enjoyed very much the change in the landscape and the ever closer coming border.

I still took in as many impressions as possible from this part of Spain and prepared myself to open up the next chapter of my journey.

I reached the last Spanish town before the border and only then did I realize, which river I was close to. It was the Douro river that I met already in Zamora, it was in the end flowing through Porto, a beautiful city in the north of Portugal. That is what I love when you are travelling, when you can make new links of information and can widen your inner landscape.

So from here I descended down into the valley of the river that was now marking the border between Spain and Portugal. They built a huge damm that I had to cross and so it happened: I was now in Portugal!

It was a great feeling, I was happy to climb up the steep valley and sit in the next cafe I could find in order to celebrate my achievement.

I had a big smile on my face when I entered the cafe in Bemposta, the first village after the border, because it was like in my village in the Alentejo. Finally I understood even the older locals again and I was happy I could speak again a language I was by now more familiar to.

After I got a great hint by the lady that was running the place I continued to a bigger town which would serve as my place to recover.

A great night with no major interruptions gifted me a deep sleep and in the morning I was greeted by the sun. I was so happy I could just stay in my tent, cook my coffee, just relax and take it easy.

I did my obligatory morning stretch session and there were still a lot of nice things to do for me, you remember I always have to take care of my household and also a rest day has its tasks. So I took care of my laundry, went shopping, enjoyed the village and sent a parcel home with things I didn’t need anymore.

I also enjoyed the familiar architecture, it was a nice old house I wanted to portrait.