64.29/30/31/32/33 Portugal: Geres: Concluding a visit to the country including amusing aspects of trails PR5/6/7: Lake Canicada, a Futbol Field and 'House on a Prairie'. A mix of multi-hikes and a message for Mario.

Lake (and dam and beach with trees) Canicada, a main focus for us on this trip.
This is the structure that attracted one of us, loosely titled "The Doll House".
This is the 'futbol' field that became a landmark for us, too. (Us two.)

The 'Doll House' from another position.
A scene from a rocky movie.

'Futbol' field from a higher and different angle.
'Futbol' from a mountain across the way. No issue from neighbors should fans scream and shout.
'What are we going to do with you, fellas?' Jen thought of calling a taxi. They stayed with us for nearly 2 hours. (The trail intersects the road in a few places.)

Our Dear Friend Mario, 

  “We wrote about you at the beginning of our trip to your motherland, Portugal (blog 64.01). We mentioned how much we miss you in general and that we are depressed knowing that you will not be joining us on our trip through Portugal. When we were together, you suggested that we should try hiking in the north. You were never ‘pushy’, that would be out of character, but you were proud of your heritage and the idea of meeting in your country was overlooked by us. Jen was keen to visit Portugal and to that end, she devised what turned out to be a fantastic period, particularly the 6 weeks in Geres, an area in the north, just below Spain. 

  “I felt, or rather hoped, which might be a trifle arrogant on my part, that wherever you were, you might have peeked down occasionally and followed our progress. We did progress as we discovered some gems in the country. We will admit, although we traveled the length of the country, we spent most of our time in the north, always outside big towns and cities, as is our custom and a much lesser period in the Algarve. We found the locals to be most friendly and helpful once approached. They also drive their vehicles rather fast but then we are slowing down a little. As an aside, we met Paula in a small super-mercado when we approached the cashier and wondered whether she spoke English. As you know, Mario, it’s a pity Jenni does not speak the language. Paula answered our query in a full-on Rhodesian-Zimbabwean accent. As is our experience, there are no finer people than those born in that country. We spent frequent short periods conversing with the delightful young woman of middle-age—says something of Jenni’s years. Paula is also of Portuguese extraction. 

  “Mario, we wish you could drop us a hint of where you are and what you are getting up to, what you are doing. Is it at all possible to communicate with our souls or perhaps visit us in a dream? That would be incredible. I might add that there wasn’t a day that passed when you were not in our thoughts. I caught myself pointing out aspects of Lake Cincada to you, a truly beautiful body of water. On some of occasions at the various lakes, we witnessed incredible sights, particularly reflections. How appropriate it was to see such beauty as well as reflect on the meaning of life and the period once life ends and a new beginning commences or does it? 

  “We’ll end off now as you are probably a little tired of my whining, nagging about lack of communication and my too late comments about missing you. You’re right. Why didn’t I take the opportunity of setting up a trip while you were still living down on Planet Earth. I’ll end off by saying that in the last twenty years we have learned, and I might add, to a degree practiced the concept of ‘Carpe Diem’. But I blew it when it came to you. For that failure, my life will always have at least that regret. Nevertheless, I am most fortunate to have been touched by your goodness, generosity and kindness. It’s concerning as I have some doubts whether I reciprocated to the same degree. 

  “Mario, give us a nudge, a tap or something, Dear Friend,…we miss you. 

   Love, 

   Jenni and Jeffrey 

'Play misty for us'.
The sheen of Lake Canicada one morning.
On another occasion, varying coloring at our great favorite.
If you go down (or up) in the woods today, you're sure of a wet surprise.
Plus a breakthrough of some color.
We continue to climb and lo and behold, the 'Doll' house seems smaller. Go figure!
While Jen prepares for brunch.
One of us goes hunting for something to smear on our rolls...bread rolls, that is.
Jen would have skipped breakfast had she known of the gap to negotiate.

While her partner stood on a high perch seeking a watering hole.

Smart thinking because water appeared suddenly; he no longer had to pretend he wasn't showing off.
From height it became difficult to identify our favorite icons.
And different coloring at the lake.
It would probably not be a good time to ask whether there was something bothering her 'ladyship' besides a further 1.5 hours to reach home.
Let's close with a varying water surface and that special bridge we fussed over, including reflections, earlier.

A few more with which to conclude a trip to Portugal. 

Tucked deep in the woods...distinctive and classy without being too 'gushy'.
Superb.
Does color connote happiness?
Love a double mountain.
Spent a reasonable amount of time in darkest Africa...I mean deepest Portugal.
A time to halt reflections and deal with reality across the Atlantic.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

'Unable to let go of Geres...give us a moment.' " Hmm! Only Geres???" Without the long lense, the reflection created off the water appeared to be a solid wall. Had to wait for the photograph for confirmation of reality.
From a different mountain, we realized we were viewing the 'Swing Peak'. It helps to be 'awake and aware' on the odd occasion.

Cheers Geres!