71.6 Portugal: Geres: PR 6: Miradouro da Junceda: A quick 2,500 feet steep climb with trailhead a whopping 30 meters from our apartment...(much less walking...huh?)

  Please join Jenni as she leads a few hikers along a wonderful trail on a logical path which begins at our front door, crosses the road to the trailhead, and climbs 2,500 feet to a peak over a short distance. Thereafter, a longer distance is spent walking on level and downgrades as one negotiates gentle obstacles. At the peak, in the dining hall, she invites you to join her at a catered lunch (cereal and fruit topped with yoghurt) followed by a gentle stroll down the mountain to an exit point from the forest/jungle and back to our front door, on foot. 

  During the pleasurable and relaxed walk, you will be encouraged to enjoy the fragrances exuded by the flora, the wonderful sights on display, while absorbing the atmosphere offered, a truly wonderful place to immerse oneself, as well as a achieving a sense of accomplishment upon completion.  

Glasses on. Spot the white cap. Under that lot walks a cute woman getting a close up of the flora and coloring.
"Yes, we're talking about you. You wanna know what was said? You're going to have to nag...a bit." Typical Jen, color coordination first class, yet again.
To reach this section of colorful flowers, Jen took some extraordinary roots and routes, too. Just to illustrate the point, try a couple of these. 

This one made her feel a little haunted...I had to calm her, give her a drink and 'throw in' a shopping gift incentive as well (Always worth it).

In this situation, she kept to the straight-and-narrow, maintaining herself within the tight boundary.
'By this time, she's had all the fun-and-games she required. I thought I heard her singing "Take me home, country road," but then she cannot sing like me...fortunately.' Trees in Portugal don't always adhere to standing rules and customs.
"Did I hear someone call my name?" The gray bag speaks...that's bag as in backpack not...
"Hello,". Please don't concern yourselves. All in a day's hiking. Here I sit after a steep climb with our village and apartment to our left, some 2,500 feet below, and my husband alongside who will no doubt carry me back down. I am fortunate indeed, aren't I Jeffrey?" 

 With 500 feet or so still to ascend, we spot probably the 8th unique position of our trip thus far where we gain a view of Lake Canicada. Each situation has its own highlights. For us, and probably many others, the lake is a prime focal point seen from height, when at distance.
We reach the summit and lo-and-behold there's a house on offer. I tried to convince Jen that a coat of paint is all that it would require to turn it around...maybe a bulldozer, too, she retorted. (This was not one of my successful days.)
The view from the summit is gorgeous, our apartment to the right. The trail, however, is somewhat less gorgeous.
Jen asks, "If you use the telephoto lense, will the hike down be much shorter?" I consider the question and reply, Let's try, you might have something there." (I think I'm beginning to really worry about us.)
The higher view above and across the way from the apartment buildings.
Oh dear! I've lost Jenni in all that color.
A glimpse of Canicada with a beautiful plant nestled on the mountain.
Because it's a loop, we come out of the forest a mile from home, but I am still contracted to carry her ladyship. I suggest we pass by the 'dollhouse', the fascinating structure (our opinion), and I consider throwing her into the pool. I'm thinking there might be something to the concept of 'sweet revenge'. 

 Soon after entering the forest, one of us is fascinated by the sight of the houses nestled below as seen through the trees.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

"I promise I will not dump you into the pool...you know I was only kidding,"...ahem. I was forced to take an oath, a mile from home, as we sat at the third viewpoint, catching our breaths...actually, come to think of it, I don't know what Jen had to catch...'based upon her seating arrangement on the way down'.

71.05 Portugal: Peneda-Geres: Trilho do S. Bento Miradouro: A wonderful day of hiking, views and absorbing some of the best sights from the region.

Open up with something special as Jen makes her way down from the peak, 'The Swing'. One of the many angles of Lake Canicada, on view.
As we move up, the views become even more spectacular. Sao Bento Church dominates the town.
  The hike is fairly strenuous, including in many places where additional routes can be added. Suffice to say, the views were gorgeous which were further enhanced when the light was good. The weather is variable, not being consistent thus allowing for surprises. Nevertheless, thus far, we are most comfortable with it...not that it makes a difference to anyone else. 

  We had a mix of subjects on display which allowed for some very special sights. It's difficult to limit the number of photographs displayed because there are too many variations, albeit subtle at times. In addition, we mixed it up with the cattle and horses as well as were able to see positions where we have stood before many miles distant, allowing us to enjoy different perspectives. We did limit pictures of the latter views. We have, one of us, a weakness for shapely lakes, reflections...actually, I'll stop there as the list is almost endless. 

  All-in-all, we'll be back to repeat the hike but in such a manner that the only place we will tread on the same path is when we reach the swing. Effectively, there are many hikes in this park in which a person commences from different positions arriving at common goals. It provides further variation, scope and continued enjoyment, plus the usual sweat, ideal results. 

Jen searches for the 'Swing' positioned on the peak, as we get closer. It can just be seen from this angle.
Should Jen look behind her (from above picture), this is what would confront her. Why go higher?
This fella exudes an attitude: We can almost hear him mutter "You wanna make something of it". This is what happens when they are so horny.
Cannot be more than a few days old. I fancy my chances with this little guy as opposed to 'old bull' above.
'Okay, you've had your swing, was it worth the trip?' (Trip as in 'journey', thank goodness.)
Peering at the mountain across the way. The water tank, visible from the 'swing', is in a position we reach or pass quite often, approaching from the other side of town.
A position with a view.
Horses above the village on a platform known as 'Animal Farm'.
Villagers below horses...and we are fortunate to view them both.
Multi-faceted lake, a place to gather one's thoughts, or just to enjoy the magnificent beauty.
A scene from "Rocky 245". About to attempt a dive into the lake, thinks the dreamer.
Perhaps, you prefer this one to the earlier sight.
Love it.
Jen showing respect or...fear...as she 'goes wide'.
Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey 

  I suppose you could say we are rather disappointed in an aspect of Geres. When we were here eighteen months ago, there were some outstanding colors on display. We remember the trees about Sao Bento Church. Beautiful, we thought. On our return, we noticed either because of so much rain or a deliberate plan of the leadership, most things are green. Color variation has mostly disappeared. Alas, while it is still very attractive, we really miss the yellows, reds, oranges and in-between shades. I got into a conversation with a local and questioned him on it. Unfortunately, I am ignorant in Portuguese and his English was not good. All he seemed to be able to say "sesen sprin, sesen sprin, not ortim any more". After a while, we parted not before I thought I heard him utter "Dum foriner".

What was, was...I mean, is that such an unreasonable request.
Even the horse keeps its distance from bull.
Before the sun shone brightly, we had the silvery look.  

  Thereafter, it was even more gorgeous...one more to close.

71.04 Portugal: Geres: Trilho da Aguila do Sarilhao, a lake supreme, reflecting nature's miracles.

  We often find ourselves in varying environments. It is a very pleasant experience most of the time. Whilst the places we visit have much in common, the natural elements, each does seem to have at least one thing that's unique. In many locales, we find a certain calmness, a tranquility that enters, for want of a better term, the soul. We are often touched by the surroundings which much of the time exert an influence over us that is quite difficult to clarify, to elucidate. It might be that each person is affected differently. It brings us to the town and only national park in Portugal. The location is known as Peneda-Geres National Park. We bring this up because in ways we are deeply influenced by its charm, its power and in the words of Jenni, it's an enchanted place. We agree...text continues below...

Making her way down through the forest (and up at times) to reach and partly traverse the lake.
Unfortunately, the photograph is artificially lightened as Jen was sitting in the shade. You'd think she could have found some sun with all the light about.
Of course, he did not learn from the experience either...two otherwise adults.
As we descend, we attain a wonderful surprise through the trees, a double mountain.
Hmm! One of us is in his element...reflections supreme!
Let's stretch it a little.
Add some more; let's reflect. Bring that peninsula type structure to the fore.
While the enchantment does not necessarily stop when one walks through the town, it is predominant when one is up-and-on as well as in the mountains. The town itself feels part of the mountains, part of wilderness, a place to collect something or view the surroundings between hikes. One does not have to wander far or high but rather, meld into the environment. When we mentioned earlier about the effect on one's soul, maybe it's different. It's almost as if one is stroked or caressed with a soft brush, allowing the feeling to touch the skin, to seep through the pores and sweep over one. 

  The soul probably needs to absorb esoteric waves that reach deep within. How this is done is difficult to comprehend. However, the feelings that almost swept into a person seem a little more physical and therefore less difficult to understand, and of which to make sense. Whatever the case, no matter how one absorbs this transfer of the environment to within one's inner-core, does it really matter? Surely, the feeling of taking the magic of nature's power internally is all that really counts. 

  While we have attained this feeling at different times in different environments, it is here in Geres where it has been the most consistent. It seems wherever we wander, it's almost that we are accompanied by this brush, which is able to calm us, make us content and allow us to experience things on a deeper level. Something we have always maintained throughout our experiences, these feelings remain with us for a while, even on our return from the slopes. However, well before the next day they invariably depart and one has to rekindle them, make fresh contact, exert energy in the hope of regaining the blessing. 

  With regard to today's hike, it was always going to be incredible provided there was no wind. We arrived early enough to be ahead of it (the wind) and were rewarded with some of the finest reflections possible. On our next occasion, we hope to have clouds as well, which provide a further dimension of spectacular sights. We truly feel grateful for the exposure in a completely deserted setting. 

Let's face in a different direction and position those mountains on the surface; might as well take the trees with us.
Jen has devised a new concept in lakes and mountains. It's known as half-and-half. You take half a mountain and mix it with half of a lake, place them side by side and you have the water usurped by the power of the mountain. For those seeking proof, check the reflections in the water for an obvious observation/clue. You ought to take a look what she's developed for deserts...or did she mention something about desserts...I forget.
Jen leads us into a scary part of the forest trail; tree trunks covered in lichen.
Lichen gone amuck.
Let him have a bit of fun; don't mind him. He's much more manageable after a few hops, skips and a whiskey.
Love the curves, the symmetry.
Let's take a hike to another side of the lake.
Show us it's Spring...let's bring in some yellows.
A reminder where we are.
"Blue, blue, my world is blue, now that I'm with you..." Be grateful, there's no sound on this blog.


Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey