Tuesday 6 December 2016

Portalegre to Evora ...

Since the weather is sunny, since the bus to Evora leaves at 15.30, since the beautiful Sao Mamede Natural Park is on the doorstep and since today is made for walking ... Reguengo is the destination ... a 20 km round trip, climbing for wonderful views ... as for buses, the Rede Expresso 15.30 goes on to Faro, too fast and too far for today, though there in the field of possibility ... along with last night's enquiry to a HelpX host near nearby Nisa ... now ruled out since no response was forthcoming and returning from Evora unlikely ... more likely move on south-west ... unless another enquiry to a host in Vila Real de St Antonio on the Spanish border on the Algarve coast bears fruit ...

Jose kindly allows some baggage from the rucksack to rest at the hostel ... his elusive son Joao, who apparently runs the place, has still not appeared ... though four teachers arrived last night for a conference in town today ... Jose also has a country house in Reguengo, wine growing land on the mountain terraces ...

Reguengo is a pretty village without much happening ... the bar is closed, though the Wellbeing Centre is open ... local old folks bused in ... the route is circular and short enough ... the high level return enhanced by a well marked footpath through the forest ... planting thoughts about the Vincentina Way from Santiago de Cacem to Cape St Vincent ...

Lunch with Helder and more philosophy ... plus a photo ... and his attraction to Aljezur ... that part of Portugal ... it has the same effect here, along with Portalegre ...

The bus is quick enough ... Evora as the sun goes down and familiar ... the Pousada de Juventude is right in the centre, a bed in a 4 bedded room for under €11 with the pilgrim discount ... Helena, fluent in English and keen on England, or rather London, often confused with its surrounding country, declines a photo on grounds of shyness ... as does American, Jenny, at the wonderful self-service vegetarian restaurant ... she is teaching English in the Basque Country ... having a week off to travel around Portugal ...

Over the road, at the music school, a concert with piano and flute ... tempting, but the 9.30 pm start is rather late ... tomorrow is open ... another day in Evora or the 9 am bus to Alcacer and maybe on to Santiago de Cacem two main options ...

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