71:12 Portugal, Geres: Sarilhão Eagle Trail, PR 5 (2): (A little part of heaven)

  We had a rather strange experience which was a little 'fishy' at the time but might work out well in the end. We relate the experience a little further down and hope that sympathetic readers will empathize with Jen...it would be appreciated. 

 This used to be a lake until it was overtaken with growth of trees and plants. Nice! 

 Actually, it's still water but dominated by reflections which lasted for less than another ten minutes.
After an hour of ups-and-downs along a trail, we glance through the trees and love what our eyes view.
A little color, a little mountain, a big and attractive view.
"You expect me to walk through that?" she inquired.
"Not difficult was it, my dear?" as Jen came through to the other side only to re-enter once again, but who's counting entries?
"Doesn't that make it worthwhile?" Asked one of us.
"Was that question necessary?" Answered the other. (Can one discern a little tension building?)
  We arrived at lake surface and noticed a fisherman casting off. We were a little surprised as fishing is 'verboten' at this beautiful lake. Nevertheless, who are we to judge, we don't even fish. I asked him how were "things going" in my best Portuguese accent. (The sad thing is that it coincides with my worst, too). His curt reply, "The fish are biting". I explained the meaning of this to Jen and she nodded her head. 

  We sat and watched him haul in the little critters vigorously and thereafter, he packed his paraphernalia and left us alone. I was sitting back absorbing the sun. It was wonderful. We had just reached a total of ten minutes of sunshine over the last 9 days, and I was recalling what it felt like. I don't like much sunshine generally, but after an extensive period of absence, it's wonderful. Suddenly, I heard Jen shout out in pain, " Yeow, ow, ow." 

  I jumped up and noticed she was at the water's edge, shaking her right arm and hand. Water was dripping from them, and it appeared slightly red. "What's wrong, my girl?" I shouted as I rushed toward her.

  "A fish bit my hand and in 2 places. Look! It's bleeding." 

  I noticed a rather ugly cut, I suppose, from the bite. I could not help but reprimand her for which I felt bad.  

  "But you heard what that fellow said earlier. He told us the fish were 'biting'. You were aware of it." 

  "I know, I know. However, his hands were in the water a lot of the time, too."

  "Yes," I agreed, "but his fish had his hooks in their mouths. They had other issues to worry about." 

  She looked at me, almost close to tears. "It does not seem fair, does it?" She asked. 

  "What's not fair, my girl?" 

  "Here we are, not transgressing the law, not harming anyone or fish and I get bitten. This guy is breaking the law, killing fish and he comes out a winner. That's not justice; it's not fair, is it? She uttered. A fair observation I guessed. I thought about it and knew I had to reassure her, so I thought quickly. 

  "If you look up to the trees in the distance, you might not see them but they're there," I pointed far out. "They have CCTV cameras in the vicinity. You know that when we watch British movies, each police story relies on closed circuit TV to solve the case. It seems like their standard procedure is to take a look at CCTV. Remember? 

  "Well, I believe while that fellow is sitting down to a fish dinner one evening and you are watching a detective hard at work scrutinizing screens, this guy will receive a visit from a Portuguese detective with a picture of him hauling in a fish. You might even be on the tape, too." 

  I suppose that's the best I could think of at the time to assuage her.

A strong flow of water up in the mountains. At this rate, the 'drought' might be broken finally.
Apparently, this is a meeting point where one can pick up a woman, especially when she's tired and refuses to walk any further. Jen thought this was a bus stop, but we're not sure. Being such deep thinkers, we don't want to rush to judgement.
As he approaches the beach toward the end of the outward journey, he seems at odds with the logic of his young woman who is still waiting at the stop for either a bus or a ride on his shoulders. Life is not easy. What to do!
Meantime, across the water, we lost reflections, but the replacement is a pretty good alternative. Maybe!
"I'm beginning to think we missed a turn earlier."
"Not to worry, Jen, I remember coming across these two the other day. We're probably still on track."
Can't say I recall this unruly bunch. Remember the old days when 'kids' were seen but not he(a)rd. That era is not returning.
Here's an attractive but wild place to move (dump) those 'kids'.
Jen peruses the menu as she enjoys the lakeside atmosphere after the fish incident. I know what she will not be ordering despite the renowned dishes of this famous restaurant.
We're in a hurry on our way back on an incline and we have to slow to keep within the speed limit. Don't you just hate that. (You flatter yourself, Speedy.)
No reflections but very attractive, we think.
Jen returns home via the jungle...just about to enter it.
Another position we found particularly special.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

  On our return in the car, we face further obstacles. How are we going to make it home? It's at a time like this a person wishes the 'kids' had undergone military training. How about a bit of discipline: What about marching in 3's abreast? Anything, guys. And you don't even pay licence fees for road usage. Heck, this is just darn right selfish. Are we wrong? 

This was group 1...a younger herd, thus well ahead of their elders.
This was the bigger group under the control of a tired looking group of dogs, well behind. (Taken while we were moving, unfortunately)

71.11 Portugal, Geres: While there is no funicular in Geres, one exists for us; and always will.

  

  Jen returning from the end of the waterpipe, a long, grueling climb. She probably realizes at that stage the walk down wasn't too tough. We refer to this as the 'funicular' because from distance, that's what it appeared to the naked eye. (See photograph following one below). We soon discovered it was a pipe through which water was pumped from the lake to the tank above. That humans are able to manufacture such pipes, cart them to the site and even more difficult, to assemble and build them into the mountain, astounds me. But then...We do notice there are tracks alongside the pipe which is indicative of a funicular. Our research indicates it may have carried coal in earlier days to the 'new castle' built at the time.

A look at the 'funicular' from the opposite side of the lake. The pipe transports water from the lake to the upper tank. It comprises 3 sections, the first from the pump station down to the 'bump', the second section down to the turn, and the third section left to lake level. While that might be irrelevant, it is a little more pertinent to those whom choose to walk down to the lake and up again for the distinct purpose of...let us think about that one...we'll get back to you.
After extensive thought and research into my data base, I eventually made sense of the photograph below. You will notice that the ground is covered in clouds, a very low position for cumulus, indeed. There is an explanation set out below.   

  This might be a long explanation but bear with us. Recently, we discovered a little-known law of nature, the 'Schmos Paradox'. It occurs when the world appears to be upside down. (This is nothing to do with human values and behavior which of course have clearly changed course, too). However, 'Schmos Paradox' begins and I quote 'When there has been enormous amounts of water condensed in the atmosphere, clouds become so heavy that they drop considerably'. There is a point when mountains, for instance, emerge way above the clouds making it appear the clouds, formerly above us, are now below. This actually does occur. However, it is not just below but they appear to be at ground level and pressing to go even lower. Given enough weight, theoretically, we could have underground clouds. As an aside, this would do wonders for the underground water tables, although it might require special seals and care to cover such tables to avoid their warping and eventual destruction.) 

  However, this has yet to occur or at least discovered. As you might be aware, just because one has never seen an imaginative phenomenon, does not mean it has not occurred. While I have been shunned, I still maintain one should keep an eye on the tables to monitor the level of moisture below. Let's rather err on the side of caution.

  It's in these rare situations that one looks down toward ground level from height and sees clouds resting on the surface, indeed a phenomenon. In order to experience this uncommon occurrence, as mentioned, one must be most fortunate, understand the science, keep moving upwards while looking down in uncommonly wet regions. Geres is clearly a solid candidate to qualify as a suitable region, in my opinion (as photograph above attests). Ancillary skills aid a person, too. Ideally, one should possess a vivid imagination and drink the occasional whiskey, which sure helps, too. 

  Unfortunately, someone who should by now be totally in agreement with this concept, a person who has been with me through very heavy rains over the years, disputes the paradox and has even laughed out aloud at times. We shall see who has the last laugh, my Jen. 

Let's move forward...well, carefully. From this additional height on the boulder, I was able to gain a very good perspective of the natural phenomenon before we walked down to the lake.
Thereafter, I joined Jen in making my way down to the lake.
Continuing down, only in section 1 of 3. Still having a 'lot of fun'.
Jen struggles up on her return. Guess who also found it strenuous. Jen counted 520 steps in section 1, (and she calls me anal, inter alia), section 2 was similar and section 3 was longer but with a steep section without steps. Let's call it 1,600 steps plus change. (see later picture)
Had we thought it through, we could have taken the road...perhaps even the car. Those that plan ahead, save much energy, apparently. As an aside, we fear the day when those rocks resting on boulders decide to change positions.
A big celebratory wave on the way down, perhaps a tiny bit premature from the heroine. The 'funicular track' supposedly alongside.
Our heroine may be struggling a bit as she makes her way up. However, she did notice the handrail was rather wobbly and so she held it to avoid it collapsing. Very nice and kind attitude at altitude, indeed.  

  With the frequent rains these days, people tend to congregate and try to have periods of social interaction. While this is good for the local society, unfortunately, "Smokers' Corners" develop in many places.
Stage 3 of the pipe with steps followed by grassy slope and then into the water.
Behind and up in the mountain, the telephoto brings in the pump-station.
A person takes his swan out on the lake for some exercise...for the swan, of course. (I will resist any reference to the ballet, dear Ellie, our delightful granddaughter.)
From deep within the forest, the rewards are magnificent.
Love the coloring although this appears to be the spread of disease, perhaps a jungle covid, Fella Fauci.
No jungle, forests, nor steep steps; just an old-fashioned gravel road with a reasonable gradient and magnificent views of the valley, Lake Canicada, and surrounding mountains, following a tough climb...does life get any better?

While General MacArthur 'will return', will Jen? 

 Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

71.10 Portugal: Geres: The Flora of Geres and Special Mothers...what a combination.

As this blog happens to be ready on Mothers' Day, why not publish it today. 

  Precedent is a critical aspect of law and its understanding of judgements passed. Sometimes, things are not easy to define as we found out when US Supreme Court Justice Jackson was unable to define a woman. The bar, legal and other standards, appear to be very low when a justice fails in such definitions. Fortunately, the bar for the high jump seems to be maintaining its level, possibly because it's part of a very competitive environment. Then again what do we know. 

  One other aspect, referring to the Supreme Court justices I found amusing, original, and perhaps random was that of a comment of Justice Potter Stewart. He said 'pornography' was something he could not define, but he would recognize it when he saw it. Hmm!  While I'm not as smart as Supreme Court Justices, I certainly have the knack for recognizing a woman when I see her.*** (see end.)

  Okay, what's going on as this certainly does not purport to be a legal journal. Try this. While we love and are forever admiring the beautiful flowers that surround us constantly (universally), many I'm unable to identify. I thus seek an excuse to avoid undertaking extensive research and rely on precedent of the highest court of the United States, together with the beauty of flora itself, to charm viewers without my interference. Alternatively, I am lazy.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey Laz(y)arow 

  *** Please forgive me as I might have erred. Whereas I respect women, obviously, and as I mentioned, am able to identify them easily, should I have given the impression that I understand women, then I was wrong. Please accept my apology.