64.17 Portugal: Geres: PR7 (2) captures the essence of autumn and our deep respect.

Sun lights up the mountain as we find ourselves on a luxurious path alongside a meadow on the way up.
Nestled in the valley, a village.
  While I would not call it humorous or even ironic, it did tickle us when we looked back and realized we’d parked our car in the same place for two hikes, walked in opposite directions away from the park, but arrived at the same endpoint on the mountain peak, at the swing. Until we reached the peak, we did not tread on common ground. Effectively, we undertook two completely different hikes while commencing at the same position and reaching the identical concluding point. We admit that’s hardly an amazing discovery or undertaking, but what it did provide is two hiking opportunities from one. 

  Should that not make sense then we suppose, you had to be there. While both hikes were enjoyable, they were also quite different because of the trail. In addition, the second trail was entirely in the open while the first was not. Finally, much more color covered the latter slopes, probably because of the openness, which also provided a wider variety of views. The latter experience, the subject of this blog, was, in our opinion, superior. 

Focusing on the mountain across the lake.
The lake comes into focus, Sao Bento Church to the right of the smoke. (What occurs when smoking is banned indoors.)
Autumn coloring stimulates as well as calms, a nice balance, a good mix.
Jen arriving at the peak.
A peek from the peak edge overlooking Canicada.
The best of times, the ideal season.
Guess who, at the top?
Looking across at a sister trail and mountain.

A different position, another angle, always attractive.
We did notice a couple of lazy hikers driving up to the top.
Look hard enough and one will find water, otherwise there's usually rain.
A short but well appreciated grass path through the 'gardens'.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

64:19 Portugal: The Algarve, a brief introduction.

  We departed from Geres, which is up north, some twelve kilometers from the Spanish border. I suppose it had to occur sometime as we had already stayed 3 weeks extra. One of us was most reluctant to leave but when we got the feeling that we had overstayed our welcome, not wishing to upset the locals further as they were already downcast (it had not rained in 2 days), we headed south, covering the country longitude-wise. 

  Following the US elections, we noticed many of the country's 'fearless leaders', 'media geniuses' and other 'self-righteous persons' breaking down in tears. 'If' these people were able to ignore Rudyard Kipling's wisdom to strive for fortitude and honor, I mentioned to Jen, then surely I could shed a tear or two on our departure from Geres. After all, I've become a sensitive male. (Thank G-d my beloved father is not around to witness my 'display'...I miss him each day.) 

  We'll intersperse a few of the photographs from the Algarve with those from...you know where? 

 A bird in the hand is worth more than a multitude in the Atlantic.

Separated by a great wall.

The Portuguese are most friendly. 

One of the towns close to the coast.
Birds in paradise.
Next step is exile to a remote island.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

64.18 Portugal: Geres: PR5: Aguia Do Sarilhao: A variation of route, completely different visuals, while arriving at the same destination.

On the way toward the water.
An attactive glimpse of the lake, somewhat different view from a previous visit-Aguia Do Sarilhao.
The 'look' from the time before. How nature varies its expressions.
"Will U2 cut that out. We run a decent park out in the wilds, if you will."
Calm, serene and delightful.
Always keep the head up. Jen spots the waterfall in the distance between the long grass blades. Now one can understand the reason she wears colorful caps.
"I feel kinda distinctive," a tree was reputed to whisper one foggy evening.
A little mossy in there.
No issue for Jenni.
Find the gap, reap the reward.
'Every mountain climb begins with a small step'...best way I could express it, my Jen.
A fascinating set of experiences we’ve enjoyed over the years is that of coincidences. It happens so often and is further enhanced when it occurs in strange lands. Actually, none of the land is strange; more likely it’s us. Nevertheless, things happen; yet one could never foresee such occurrences. We have mentioned many over the years but not recently. After having a few difficulties upon arriving in Lisbon and traveling toward the north, we reached Geres and were close to our apartment as directed by the GPS. Unfortunately, the buildings have 2 numbers, one on the outside wall and another close to the door but not displayed for a passing motorist to notice. Of course, we were searching for the inside number on the outside wall. Two women were standing at the doorway. We approached and asked for assistance. Turns out we had arrived, the two women being the cleaners of the apartment. They showed us around which was a first—a guided tour. 

  We had reserved for 3 weeks and as the owner provides a weekly service, we remained in contact with the women. We decided to extend but as the apartment was reserved, moved next door to the owner’s other unit for a further week. It was the shortest move we’ve ever undertaken. Even the internet worked in both places on either access. We were 'not enjoying' ourselves so we decided to extend again but were only able to obtain 5 days for this occasion. Not only had I the task of finding a place to rent but a far more difficult task undertaken was in convincing Jenni that although Portugal is not a small country, there was a dire need to experience more of Geres. 

  We looked around for alternate accommodation and finally found something suitable that appeared similar to what we had. We studied the photograph of the unit on the website and noticed something familiar about it. We deduced the apartment was in the same building as our previous two. Our building has two entrances thus we suspected the unit would have a different entry. Turned out that the entrance was also the same. Our fourth booking was for a further eight days—Jen was most liberal with my desire to remain. Obviously, it’s going to cost plenty down the road, but I believe it will be a small price to pay. Hear (read) that, Jen. 

  The day before our third move but fourth contract, we were returning from a hike and walked past Irene, the senior cleaner. We stopped to chat and she confirmed we would be departing the next day and asked whether we wished to extend. We were most surprised. 

  ‘How is that possible?’ we exclaimed. 'We had asked Rui the week before about a longer stay but he had no vacancies,' we explained. She mentioned that she had access to apartments herself; one was available. A little business on the side. She herded us to the first floor through the second entrance and showed us around. We were exasperated. Why did we not know about it? Who would have thought to ask Irene instead of a landlord? We explained we had re-re-renewed and where. Our new apartment would be directly above the current unit. She smiled and pulled out the phone showing us our details for the next eight days. She and her colleague were also the cleaners for the unit. By the way, her colleague lives in the next-door apartment which we found out a couple of weeks earlier when we required some electrical assistance. We’re not the bright sparks we thought we were. 

  We arranged to move early in the day from downstairs as the upper-apartment was empty—a great advantage as 4pm is the usual arrival time. Irene allowed us to enter before 11am, another advantage. We have now moved into 3 apartments, each one linked physically (sharing walls and ceilings/floors with the others). Talk about close proximity. We were thinking of undertaking a world tour of say a month stay per location or perhaps, rather a month in each apartment of the building.  

Closing with favorite reflections.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

64.16 Portugal: Geres: A Taste of Autumn on one of the legs of the PR7 trail...only an introduction.

A House on the Hill. We left from the 'colored' tree level, headed down to cross the lake and up to the mountain peak on the other side.
These are trees (above) we have viewed from many positions, mostly mountains and valleys, while observing their beautiful progress into dormancy. On this occasion, a tired Jenni (and Jeffrey) return to the packed carpark. By the way, trails are mostly deserted. (The mountain behind is where the 'peak swing' is situate, a double visit for us. Jen loves swings apparently.
Jenni smiled when I looked at this scene and exclaimed, "I think I'm in Heaven." I feel I was. She reminded me we are due to move from the region soon, which returned me to Earth quickly.
There's a lot to love in this scene but I'll mention only that the shade of green and pine needles of the trees are particularly striking for one of us.
A different view of Lake Canicada, one of the small 'legs tucked away'.
It's looking like a pretty green autumn.
On our way up, we admire the Sao Bento Church complex with an hotel at rear. There are those trees again. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

64.15 Portugal: Geres: A little color, some water, a time of reflection and much sweat and joy in Wonderland.

Heading to a peak on PR7 from the opposite direction of a previous hiking occasion.
On a corner of Lake Canicada, the living is uplifting should one choose to make the effort.
The day before, we sat on the left side of the peak. The sitting is proving to be easy.
Availability on the other side of the water or should that be clouds?
We reach the first peak and think of soliciting a ride back down. Unfortunately, we don't speak Portuguese, so it was futile to make an offer to the horses.
We've tended to cross the bridge when we come to it.
No wonder Jen has her head in the clouds, it's that remarkable a location. On return from a second, but different route to the 'swing' on the peak.
Will never absorb what this scene and the surround has to offer each day. It's a particularly dynamic place which allows views from so many different locations.

Right foot in Spain, left side in Portugal, but where's the brain? Another of life's mysteries.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey