Website down so unable to blog this journey in real time- instead spent evening talking with a chat bot trying to get back on line.

Today’s summary below….

Weather much better than yesterday, overcast with glimpses of sun and only a couple of short bursts of rain.  We spent the day stripping layers off as we climbed hills and putting them back on as we cooled down. 

Distances were shorter than yesterday but hills MUCH bigger. We made it up most but had a few patches that were either just too steep, too sandy or too scary to ride.

Today was spent away from the coast riding through the back streets of small villages. Being Sunday villages were quite lively. Lots of small taverns full of men sharing drinks and lively conversation (not sure where the women were). We went into one for a morning coffee – Bei and I were the only women, and while we were welcomed the inaccessibility of the ladies toilet (beer boxes piled up against the door) suggested female visitors are a rarity.

Arrived in Viana  do Castelo around lunchtime crossing the 645 metre Eiffel bridge with great views of the city and mountains behind.

After a quick lunch we walked the historic parts of town then caught the funicular up to the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart (locals call it St Lucia church). It’s a working Cathedral and being Sunday, mass was in progress, with some beautiful singers.

Returned to our hotel for a late afternoon nap then early (for here) dinner in a local restaurant.

Our hotel room is tiny with barely enough room to hold our bags let alone open them.  We have the window open (rooms are very hot here), but are located quite close to a church whose bells are on a 15 minute chiming schedule, so not sure how long we will last before we need to shut up shop.

Last night in Portugal as we cross over into Spain tomorrow.