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)