Decided on a walk in a new area today, starting about half an hour's drive north of here, just beyond Messines. Stopped on the way for a coffee at an almost deserted petrol station. Should have guessed from the empty car park what it would be like. ( The ones along the motorway are really good, beautifully clean and with pleasant and friendly staff in good cafes). This one was occupied by a grumpy gnome, who when we enquired about coffee grunted and pointed at a machine. We managed to get our first cup, but the machine refused a second.After trying various combinations of coins, very helpful young man came in, also in search of coffee and discovered that the machine had run out of water and had therefore gone on strike. When he told the gnome, he just grunted and shrugged. He now holds the record as the first unhelpful person we have met here.
Five minutes along the road came across a pleasant looking cafe ( sod's law of finding coffee stops!).
Just beyond was the turnoff for the start of the walk. Instructions said follow signs to the football ground (Campo do futebol) and park by the fire station where the walk starts. Did as instructed. The firestation(bombeiros) was incredibly grand by Portugese standards but was empty and deserted. We suspect they had spent so much on the fire station that they could not afford fire engines or firemen!
Walk was beautiful and interesting, through countryside with idyllic small farms.Shades of Africa with the landscape and the subsistence level farming. Had to wade across one river ( see picture of Kathryn drying feet afterwards).
Home to find John and his minions digging a hole in our terrace to fix the plumbing so sat out on the grass in the rickety outdoor chairs. (Everything is rickety here!). Much shouting and giving of orders.
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