Spain: Soon thereafter, following a spectacular day hiking in the national park (see cover page above), we enjoyed an amazing icon and an unusual sunset.

Faja Racon, along the trail linking with the cover picture.
That evening, a peek into the sun fighting to establish control over the clouds. We don't need a winner. We'll peep through the gap, instead. 

  Late afternoon walk back from Black Rock.

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 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

71.03 Portugal: Geres: Following Jen's progress on the PR3; a revealing few hours of nature at its best.

Let them hang.
Making our way to the trailhead using our feet instead of the car in a magnificent environment and atmosphere.
We enter the forest and cannot spot the wood for the trees...but are overawed by the greenery et al.
As we rise, the neighborhoods across the way come into view while the clouds consider leaving.
Jen turns to tell me I'm falling behind. "Well, it's steep, you know."
  We had a few sweet encounters lately, always something that adds some 'spice' to life. Two occurred in Geres, the third really sets the scene for the topic some 8 years earlier. At the time, Ben was 6 years old or thereabout. We were in San Diego and had taken grandson Benny on a hike down to the ocean. On our return, we asked whether Mom would be home so that we could gain entry to the house. It has an outside locked gate as well as a front door...I think also with a lock.   

  As we approached the gate, Benny explained that it did not matter where his Mom was because she could open the gate from Mexico. 'Is she in Mexico, Ben?" we asked. The explanation focused on her being in Mexico. 'Really', we answered. Apparently, the parents had an electronic system installed that could unlock the gate from anywhere, probably provided they had telecommunication contact.

  Thereafter, it became a little bit of a joke, somewhat stale though but not with kids, where we always hoped Mom was in Mexico so we could gain access through the gate. There is no truth in the rumor that it was our hope whether we were at the gate or not. (Continues below...) 

Taking the gap as she continues to climb. Scenery and coloring is acceptable...just.
The grass may be greener on the other side, but it also grows anywhere and everywhere.
Clouds scatter again only to regroup after deciding perhaps it wasn't a good idea.
Checking out the condition of the rock, the coverage and decides it's far too slippery. Perhaps, Jen will try it.
Continued from earlier text with young Benny ("Mexico"). Ellie was dancing at the time.

The picture below depicts Benny, who is not yet fourteen, but is able to provide his caddy with tips on the golf swing. While that may be useful, I'm sure his caddy was relying on an old-fashioned type of tip as compensation.

  We move forward in time and place and east in direction to Geres, Portugal, a small town that Jen and I are enamored with. It is quiet, has a good atmosphere, is surrounded by mountains and wilderness, the people are friendly, receives a few local tourists mostly on weekends, and is quite beautiful with a vast array of hikes. 

  On our last trip, which was our first in Portugal, we met Paula, a woman who runs a supermarket. Because she is a delightful person, we both respect and like her very much. On our return, we walked into the market, turned to the cash register to see her serving a customer, greeted her to which she responded in English, "Hello, Jenni and Jeffrey". We exchanged some friendly banter and began shopping. We could not help but notice the locals watching us, of course we conversing in English, as our Portuguese is not much better than our Bulgarian. Many observed the exchange with a look of mild amusement as to what had just occurred. 

  I will add that being friendly and decent is a trait that occurs with, in our opinion, a certain nationality more than with any other. While my comment might seem too general or biased, I stand by it completely. Paula is a Rhodesian...now Zimbabwean, the best people in the world. No doubt, in our opinion. They are special. Thanks for making our stay extra special, Paula. 

  The real crux of the story I want to relate, follows. We are staying in an apartment a kilometer outside the main town which is hardly a town, but it contains hotels, stores and the like. One can walk through, end-to-end, in less than 5 minutes. After a few days, our landlord family, the Rodrigues, came for a visit. They are delightful people, although not from Rhodesia--locals. The son, Joel, is our contact. His father looks like an older brother, his sister somewhat younger than him, and a friendly mother. Because he is young, merely 20 years, he is an 'internet fundi' and keeps contact with us using that method. We have moved forward and now use cellphones, too...somewhat reluctantly. After they departed, heading for a week in Morocco, North Africa obviously, we still remained in contact dealing with the odd issue that needed correcting. 

  Then yesterday, we used the heater in our bedroom to assist drying our washed clothes. Previously, the sun was doing an outstanding job but for reasons unknown, it seemed to 'throw a hissy' and took leave of absence. Never thought I'd see nature portray some human characteristics. Shows you. 

  I kept watch on the heater for a while and on my last check, noticed it was cool. Not working. Checked the socket and that was the problem. No big deal, we have many others. That evening, Jen went for a bath. I followed and noticed when topping up the hot water, it turned out to be cool. Oops. Jen did not overuse the hot; she never does. I lay in the bath and looked to the water heater and noticed the red light was not glowing. Okay. It was not functioning...made sense there was no water being heated. 

  After dressing, I checked the electrical mains. All fine. When I was in the bath it occurred to me that there could be a relationship between the socket in our bedroom not functional and the one to which the water heater was connected. It did sound a little incestuous, I thought. All other electrical connections were operating correctly but for these two. I went outside in search of some assistance. I asked a workman in the building, renovating other apartments, whether he would mind checking the system. He did not speak a word of English. Jen mentioned afterwards that we walked through the apartment talking to each other but using hands to signal our communications as well. She said it was amusing. Well, I'm pleased someone was deriving satisfaction. 

  After ten minutes, he conceded the English-speaking guy could not be as stupid as he first seemed or looked. Now I would have to send a message to Joel to inform him of the issue, something I was not happy to do, as he was on vacation. I wrote a detailed message setting out all steps taken and the negative result: No hot water, no connection. 

  As expected, a minute later, Joel answered. "I have turned on the switch". 

  

  "What?" I exclaimed to Jen. 

"He turned on the switch of the water heater." 'Is he close by, in the building, I thought?' Then I remembered: "Mexico". He was controlling the power supply and connections from Morocco. I should have known. 

  We had a conversation and I concluded by asking him whether he might turn on the ignition of our car...start it for us. He replied that he would only do it once per day. We were amused, tickled really...still are. 

  To think that a person can control intricate functions across continents, but we often struggle to greet each other. Perhaps we need to develop a 'greeting/friendly app'.

Still going and the sights are becoming more attractive as we gain height.
Our next posting will deal with the destination reached in more detail. A view from the peak showing the town below.
A view from the opposite side peak and much higher than last week's views of Lake Canicada.
Jen making her way down amongst incredible greenery.
We hit the neighborly road on the way back and bring in a color contrast.
From the first time we spotted this 'doll house' (a museum), we have been fascinated by it. We see it from many different positions.
From the opposite mountain, well, on the way up to it, the 'doll house' comes into view.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Bringing some color to the fore.

Family Rodrigues (3 of 4), outside their apartments (1 being ours temporarily).