Sunny Amarante

After yesterday's walking adventure and a good night's sleep, legs reluctant to move ... maybe Amarante itself saying: linger longer ... and once the early mist has cleared the town is lovely in warm sunshine ... Porto, Braga and Guimaraes all had their chance to shine, but rain dampened their appearance ... this place is special ... and its delights appear as yesterday's route is retraced ... first the bus station, with morning and afternoon services to Viseu and Covilha ... next tourist info and Elena keen to practise her English ... Pousada de Juventude here, Ecovia to Celerico de Basto here ... hmmm a traffic free walking route sounds fun for tomorrow ... the Youth Hostel has a vegetarian restaurant ... another plus ... wifi without complications ... not in the room, a blessing as subsequent research may reveal ... a €14 bargain with breakfast and free laundry for a 2 bed room, currently without company ... tomorrow booked too, the round trip is 40 km and doable on a direct route ... previously a railway ...and news from Jan near Penamacor ... she is in UK working for a while, but the house is free ... dogs currently being fed by friends with similar community ideas ... Wednesday proposed hook up, leaving tomorrow for walk up the old railway track .. and back for early bus ... maybe ...

Meanwhile in UK, wandering daughter has booked a one way flight to the Philippines. .. why not?
Putting more energy into probability fields of ways to see her before late February flight ... though one field could be seeing her in the Philippines ... more likely a trip to England, more stable daughter still there ... easy enough from Porto, easier still from Faro, which also calls as winter closes in ...

Reporting on the observations from recent rainy days ... how the desire for the cave, shelter, a primal urge, asserts itself ... and how quickly the sun opens up the options ... perhaps one of the attractions of drier climates ... in Portugal that is further south at this time of year ... for now, it is sunny ...