Resting in Vilanova da Milfontes and Day 9 - Biking through Costa Vincentina National Park

Our day in Vilanova da Milfontes was a true rest day - we stayed off the bikes and enjoyed time to see the local sights and read a bit from those books we lugged with us.

We walked down to the ocean overlook - this statue expressed the spirit of exploration for the Portuguese people - made of many "found objects" including some horseshoes!

Looking back at the town and our hotel.

Great ocean views and awesome surf.

The visitors to this beach are compelled to create rock sculptures - very eerie.

Peter among the rocks.

There is some gorgeous flora on the coastline.

View of Vilanova da Milfontes.

Peter's rendition of a streetscape near our lodgings.

View of the coastal inlet from our hotel balcony.

The castle in photo and watercolor - once protecting the inlet port and river, now privately owned.

We have been carefully watching the weather - lots of rain in the forecast but fortunately we keep eluding it on our rides. We arose Sunday to windy weather but the clouds seems to keep their distance. Our ride was a short 45K and relatively flat:

Our first stop was at some spectacular coastline:

Nadine, Nora and Paul with a gorgeous backdrop.

Biking buddies - guide Luis C., me and John. 

Of course there is always a coffee stop.

Guide Luis, Vicki and Ian enjoying a break and still good weather.

The first big treat of the day was a picnic at a fabulous beach overlook in the National Park area.

Peter admires the spread - sardines, chips, salad, bread, cheese and more.

Super views enjoyed by Martha and Michelle while guide Luis P. works on the picnic sausage.

Grilling sausage with the Portuguese version of a George Foreman grill!

The grilled sausage was a real treat.

Our hotel for this evening is a wonderful rural tourist hotel - gorgeous grounds with the Atlantic visible from our patio.

Peter did some studies while sipping wine and enjoying the sun:

We had a really fun afternoon - guide Luis P. gathered us in the hotel kitchen and as a team we made stuffed tomatoes.

June, Deb and Nadine stuff tomatoes.

Paul and June stirring the stuffing concoction.

Ready to bake! The skewers are marking our individual creations.

But the best surprise was after dinner - a live fado performance arranged by the guides for us! It was fabulous.

We had not had a chance in Lisbon to listen to live fado music (the signature music of the Portuguese people) so this was a fantastic gift from our guides. Thank you Luis, Luis and Loic!

Big biking day on Monday with an iffy forecast - we will be off the grid until Tuesday night. Hope you continue to enjoy our travels!