Douro Valley 26-27 May

After resting, we felt capable of doing the harder walks on the last 2 days.  Also, we enjoyed the company of the 'hard' walkers, which included 5 Canadians (3 aged over 70 including a lady of 84) and several very nice Poms.  On Thursday a thunderstorm was predicted for the afternoon, so the Hard walk was downgraded to Medium.  We were all happy as the Tuesday hard walk (which we missed) had been particularly exhausting in the heat.

Morning tea was taken early in the day at Favois. 

  In the photo are Lynne, Norm, Helen, Mary (all Canadians from Kamloops B.C.), Bernice, Bob (leader), Mike, Lynn, Peter.  I have an ice pack on my leg to settle down a 'popped' vein.
 

 The path led uphill beyond the vineyards, then down, ending at Vilarinho de Cotes.

  
The last hard walk on Friday featured more ascent, 540m, than any other walk  and 790m descent.  We started at Aldarete, a village on the eastern slope of Serra do Marao, and ended at Sedielos, 15km away.

Cistus

A lovely walk through woodland

 

A hard life in some villages

I'll finish this post with some flowers, a spider and our leaders.

Harebells

Jim and Bob