Camping...

We follow the river west on a quiet road on the south side. The going gets very hilly as the road swings in and out of all the side valleys through each little village. There are scary steep drops at the verge with no barrier, but we can stick to the middle as there are so few cars. On a corner, a man on top of a very tall ladder pruning his cherry trees, is level with us and so we can exchange " bom dias". The many Quintas we pass, produce olive oil and cherries as well as the wine grapes. Much of the labour on these terraces is still by hand, including back breaking weeding. Gardens are ablaze with red roses. Ancient churches, convents and small monasteries pop up almost round every corner. Cherries are for sale at road side stalls, and one farm has taken over the bustop!
Eventually the road widens and levels by the river as we meet commuters rushing home from Porto. Just as the light is fading we take a side road down through a dense wood, then a hamlet and a campsite right on the river edge. One hour of light remains for us to put up the tent, get to know the only other campers - a couple of touring cyclists from Switzerland - make a brew and fall into our sleeping bags. The local church clangs a complicated chime every hour, but after 78 strenuous miles we sleep through it easily.
The dawn view from the tent is amazing, as the opposite bank is a steep forest as far as the eye can see, with no road , track or buildings. We hadn't expected such a tranquil spot this close to Porto. A big river cruise boat slides silently upstream, no sign of the sleeping passengers.
We are staying here 3 nights so we can explore Porto.






Miles to date:- 566

Location:Pinhão to Porto