Hiking

Sad to leave our amazing bnb.  So sad I forgot to give them back the keys but luckily he called us only a few minutes after we left and could turn around easier.  Man I’ve been scatter brained.  First the wrong restaurant last night, then I told Kirk he had the keys and I actually did and then I had the keys in my pocket and forgot to give them back!  Thinking about too many things at once!

Since it was raining yesterday we decided to head to the Mondego walking trails.  It was really beautiful and at times looked like Malibu and other times Cali.  So many old mills and there was a good amt of information on them.  7.5 miles and then we called a taxi from the bar we stopped at at the end, had a few beers and then were apparently in a F1 race! Our taxi driver, Nuno, was cruising at top speeds around corners and up and down hills!  We shared the taxi with another couple and Kirk was in the back with them and said they were freaking out!  $15 was worth it not to hike back but a total ripoff compared to what we’ve paid here.  Nuno was making bank and pretending he was Mario Andretti.  

Off to lunch, where we asked for a menu and were told they only had specials. She didn’t speak English so I got most of it but didn’t know chicken so she did the wing thing with her arms.  Lol.  It was good, and Kirk had fries, covered with ham, covered with an egg.  And a carafe of wine.  $33.  Small town gouging us!  Then we really really wanted to see Monsanto and Castle o Branco but we had over a 2 hour drive to our next location, Marvao (pronounced Mar-vow like a cat meow).  Bummed but once thing we try to do is be ok with what we miss.  We really liked the hike so that’s ok.  And we needed it after days and days of eating and drinking more than 2 bottles of wine a day!  Skinny legs and big bellies may be our new physique!  

Nice drive thru Portugal, south.  Solar farms, castles, cows, sheep and then a long drive up a hill to the castle Marvao.  We parked outside the walls and got.a ride to our hotel.  The ‘roads’ are barely one car wide so it’s one road in and one out but thru at tiny entrance.  Our hotel is super nice. Thankful for all the great places we have stayed!  

Not sure if i mentioned tail gating is normal here . Kirk still doesn’t like it!  

Dinner at one of the 3 places to eat here.  Octopus and Veal SOOOOOOO GOOOODDDDD!!! And a bottle of local wine.  DELICIOUS!!!!!  $87 total.  Back at the hotel with our window open b/c our air con is weird. But it is nice.