Day Four, Porto

After a nice breakfast of eggs and ham, we joined as our group in the lobby for a guided tour around Porto. Extremely entertaining, we walked the streets and learned about times past and the beautiful buildings that make up this city.

We did about 2 hours of walking with much to see. Here are some of the photos from todays walk.

We visited the Leica Store. I wish I had photos of the beautiful shop. It makes me want to visit Boston's store when we get home. What a treat!
I bought yjis "Instant" camera and will be taking photos along the way.

The photo of Barbara in the spent film cartridge is a result of the camera. I will post more as we go along.

Day Three, Furadouro to Porto

Super foggy start to the day's ride. Cool and damp, but not cold.
Today's ride is to the city of Porto. Along the coast with lots of tourists. Mostly on bike trails.

The sound of the waves crashing could be heard for most of the morning, but never any view of the beach for most of the ride.
coming down off the bike path on a steep curb, the rear right crank of the tandem hit, tossing the chain into the spokes. It caused the derailleur to snap in half bringing the bike to a stop. A true mess!
Lucky for me and our tour leader, I had tools to turn the bike into a one speed. The rest of the days ride was flat for the most part. All was fine until on a short climb, the chain broke where I had joined. Fixing it once more with a master link, we were fine for the rest of the ride.
When we reached Porto, the sun was out and the fog had burnt off. Beautiful city, we all look forward for a day off tomorrow when we get a chance to walk around and get the story about how this town works.

Flaming Portuguese sausage

Day Two. Averio to Furadouro

Another beautiful day in Portugal! Sunny and dry! High 70's. Nice ocean breeze.
Todays ride was short and flat. Mostly along the coast heading North. A little head wind, but not bad.
A the beginning of the ride, we stopped at a Salt field, to learn about sea salt production. Something to see.
Afterwards we took a short ferry ride to get us out to a long peninsula and north to our next town. A nice relief from yesterdays longer and hillier ride.
Again, a nice hotel at the end of the ride, shore side.

The bike trails in Portugal

The Tour Begins! Coimbra to Aveiro

Cloud covered and damp. Not raining but damp.
After a fantastic breakfast, we got the bags to the door of the room and went to the bikes.
We are riding a Cannondale tandem this year that could be geared a little lower so our old legs can make it up the hills a little easier. Slower, but easier.
The ride today was 41 miles of rolling country. Some farms, Vineyards and livestock, but not as large as some of the regions in Europe we have ridden in the past.
Nice to be on the road again at a pace thats not killer.
Our ride leaders are wonderful! More on this later. They are more concerned with us having a great vacation then breaking any records by speeding along.
Although we are the slowest riders, or so it seems, we finished in the middle of the group at the hotel.
Another amazing place at the shore. Pictures will tell more as we go out tonight as a group for dinner.
Please remember to comment at the end of the posts. Its nice to know who is enjoying our work as we again experience another trip of a life time!

We have arrived!

After 7 hours of flight and a 3 hour train ride we have arrived. A taxi from the train station to the city of Coimbra, Portugal. Beautiful hotel and that start of our one month journey.