This was our climbing day. We had been warned by the brochure that we were facing a number of steep inclines and we were not disappointed. It was also a long day which, including our side trip to have lunch in Querença Village, added up to over 60km.
Somewhere around the 28km point we started looking for Querença and after a false start in the wrong direction and up a very steep climb, we descended, found the turnoff, and found ourselves faced with an intense climb up to the village. We had a good meal in the restaurant before screaming back down the incline, a short respite before the next rise.
Starting to See Some Altitude
Up to this point I've not had to get off and push and I even managed the roadway up to the hotel but upon reaching their driveway I knew I had reached my limit. Rather than falling off halfway up, I got off and pushed. Ray, undaunted, continued on two wheels.
The Road to the Hotel
A View from that Road
This is Baltazar, a friendly donkey in his enclosure on the main street of Alte. There is a slot for coins to help with Baltazar's upkeep and both Ray and I dropped in some of the weighty coins we had been carrying around. Baltazar got lots of head rubs and scratches from all but he got a little frisky with me and gave me a hard nip on my right bicep which, even a week later, still shows remnants of the bruise.
Baltazar
Sunset off the Roadway
The Route and Stats
(Note: Clicking 'View full route' shows details)
The Video
This was probably the start of my bronchitis as my coughing can be heard in the video.
Later,
Jim
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