Douro Valley

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What a simply glorious day! It was warm from the start. We slept with the door ajar as it’s in the countryside and there is no air con in the room. We also slept for 8 hours which is u heard of for me! So peaceful. Imagine being woken up with birds singing and no traffic noise or whatever.

Today we decided to take the train up the Douro Valley from Pinhao near where we stay . It left at 9:50 and stopped at a few tiny stations along the way which ar basically just halts. This is what happens when a railway is run For the people not the shareholders!! The windows pull right down in the train carriage so we were able to stand an gaps at the beauty.

The end of the line was a small place called Pocinho, nice clean toilets too, again toilets for the public , providing a service unlike in Perth where they closed all but one! We were told by our host Matilde, to stop at a restaurant on the way back for lunch, she recommended it. Oh boy it was amazing! Sitting overlooking the river with a plate of roast chicken potatoes and salad was bliss especially as had no breakfast. I asked the guy if he was busy every day, and he said yes, every single day. See the train comes from Porto and people come for a day trip and stop off here for lunch as the railway halt is right outside the restaurant.

We got back around 3 pm and chilled a bit at the poolside and under the beautiful Linden tree. I felt so chilled.

We went back into Pinhao for a walk and a cuppa and cake as still full from the lunch time feast. We were in bed and sleeping by 930. Not a sound to be heard anywhere . Peace…

Happy birthday to my brother today he is 60!!