Sofia
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Posts posted by Sofia
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45 minutes ago, Buckster said:
Try it deep fried in batter.
He means salted cod, but for sure some fish and chips might change him!
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On 27/07/2024 at 21:12, Earache said:
Oil change day today. My assistant thinks he can do a better job than I can. He's probably not wrong...
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On 20/07/2024 at 12:00, Six30 said:
the reveal...
I knew it!! Like a boss!!!
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11 hours ago, Six30 said:
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9 hours ago, YamaHead said:
Nice tour of the countryside there @Pedro....some of those roads look quite inviting.
Www.turtlemototours.com
Just saying...!
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21 hours ago, Pedro said:
I really felt like riding somewhere, I missed being on the bike, but had no real plan or destination that I felt like visiting. Called my friend that owns a small hotel and booked a room, at least now I had a destination and with my favourite restaurant next to it as a big bonus. It was supposed to be getting warm but I had no plans to do sightseeing so that wasn't bothering me much.
I had some delays, and missed a little bit of the morning, it was almost 10 by the time I made it to the Douro riverside, stopped for a coffee.
Rode up the Douro, temperature was perfect in the morning, around 25º, couldn't ask for better. Stopped for a phone call
By midday I had gotten to around Regua and temperatures shot upwards of 30º, to then stay between 36 and 38 the rest of the day. The Douro valley absolutely cooks in the summer, and this area here is the hottest, also where the best wine is made so that climate probably works. Took some of my favourite small roads near the river, quite narrow so two cars really have to squeeze to pass each other.
I regretted not bringing a snack from home, as this would have been a perfect lunch stop.
I had decided to try to not look at my phone for navigation, to make it a little more challenging. I did end up in a couple of dead ends as some of these roads just lead to a small train stop by the river, but then again they are nice roads so doing them twice isn't a chore:
At around 3PM, now overheated a little, so stopped for a snack in an air conditioned cafe.
Just after the cafe starts a road I know well and found by chance a few years ago. It felt nice to put my now cool helmet and jacket, and walked back out to the 38º heat feeling refreshed. I took the tiny road away from the tourist route, I love this tiny road, shame it's not very long as I could ride it all day long.
Continuing farther north, and now away from the river, the landscape changes
A stop under some shade to drink what was now quite warm water, blergh! I think I'll try to find some thermal fleece I can use to carry water bottles.
Bike safely tucked away for the night, in time for a cool shower and a little relaxation in the air conditioned room, I think I did around 500 or something kms with no navigation except to get out of Bragança (a big town) after fueling up, pretty happy with that. I had high hopes for dinner, but little did I know I would almost risk my life that night...
a 20 minute walk to the restaurant, first through a small village, most people living here are of pretty advanced age even though they still work the land, now taking the cool evening to relax outside.
I named it Pig McQueen, runaway pig making everyone chase him around the village, look in the distance in the street:
Lovely meal, along with pretty chilled red wine because fuck the rules!
After dinner, conversation was struck and a few of us stayed out enjoying the cool night and having a drink. Some played cards, and I was very surprised to learn that spanish cards are different, wtf?
People might have gotten silly, and we even had magic performed:
At a little past 1 I headed back, now taking a short route along a road, I noticed a car with high beams on coming from behind me, I looked back and only had a moment to jump out of the edge of the road onto the bushes. This was on the outside of a wide enough corner, but the driver was either drunk or asleep and the car had one wheel already out of tarmac and where I was walking. They didn't stop.
Diving to the bushes scratched the shit out of my arm and hand, ripped my tshirt but I was happy to get to bed safe and sound, even though I just plucked a few more tiny thorns from my had just now, a day later. Blackberry bushes!
My plan was to wake up early and get out while still cool outside. Staying up late the previous day and a very sore arm and neck caused that plan to completely fail as I sat down for breakfast at well past 9
I had a big day ahead, again trying to not look at navigation and just follow street signs, now in a part of Portugal I don't really find easy to navigate. First couple of hours were very easy as I know those roads quite well, quite fast and flowing, in contrast to the previous day.
Stopped for some water in a very cool village near the Serra da Estrela, very old and built amongst huge boulders. Drinking warm water was appreciated, though.
Another stop, now to check some emails. This town was very nice, looked great and tidy inside the castle walls too. I'll surely come back with more pleasant weather, as the heat was on full force now.
From there to the top of Serra da Estrela was a breeze, in less than an hour and we're at the tallest place in mainland Portugal, temperature there was very enjoyable at 22º, provided some brief relief.
The road climbing from Gouveia up is just great, so I didn't stop and took it in a nice rhythm. At the top and on the other side:
No more pictures, from there on there was another 4 or 5 hours to get home. Stopped for fuel at a nice gas station with very friendly staff, and sat down enjoying their AC and a bottle of very cold water for a while. I almost didn't want to leave. I hope it'll cool a little over the next days, so that I can at least enjoy a short ride or two from my place. Today was another 600km, that's the sort of distance @Earache does before breakfast and it took me most of the day
Lovely!
Its getting hotter, not cooler...
Maybe the RT has aircon?!
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21 minutes ago, Six30 said:
I have had it a few weeks ....
the i want another bike itch you twats..
today it got the better of me , next week all will be revealed , but what is it ..
Sincerely hope it has a T on the tank...
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Summer time!
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Truly saddened by this news. Let's keep the forum going and make Pete proud of us.
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On 21/04/2024 at 20:38, Six30 said:
enjoy
Is it a ferry or a tanker?!
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On 19/04/2024 at 10:07, Pedro said:
Very true Six, a few astral energies have been gathering around me the last 5 weeks and the fuse is not short, it's given up and blown!!!
When I say astral energies I actually mean extraordinarily brainless people!!!
Thanks for asking, you are a sweet heart, but beter stay well clear!
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On 16/01/2024 at 07:13, Six30 said:
My thoughts exactly... but the kove ( which means cabbage in portuguese, is interesting
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5 hours ago, Six30 said:
Perhaps we could have a photo of Sophia’s puppies
My puppies!!
Happy New Year!
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In Wales, One is happy to be in Wales!!
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On 19/12/2023 at 22:24, Pedro said:
They’re reputedly great lovers though
On that alone it's well worth the investment!!
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3 hours ago, Six30 said:
I might nominate @Sofia cause she looks after animals ... and i think she sees me as her guilty pleasure.
True story!!
Thank you!
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1 hour ago, Clive said:
Never been to Portugal (I wanted to back then).........and doubt i ever will.
If you change your mind and find a way, we will organise a good stay for you!
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5 hours ago, Tango said:
A double edged sword! Great for those expat brits that are legitimately resident in Portugal, but could be seen as a great opportunity for those booted out of Spain to come over the border and pollute Portugal now!
Those dont like it here, chips are posh and too expensive...
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6 hours ago, Clive said:
We were all set to go on holiday to Portugal (2002), near Albufeira, but the apartment owner passed away just a month before we were due to go there, and his wife cancelled all booking for the apartment.
Ericeira is better,come here instead!!
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The oldest Alliance in the World in action!!
Agreement signed today in London means UK and PT drivers licenses are accepted and interchangeable without tests!
No excuse to not come over for a visit!!
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In Wales, One is happy to be in Wales!!
Another weekend
in GENERAL CHAT
Posted
Sorry Bucksy, they do. Anatomically slightly different then humans, same names.