So I stayed at São Bras de Alportel for a couple of days. Anna had booked the Jet2 flight for Saturday and I had a few days to kill, and I thought to split this time between here and Faro. The stay was restful and I discovered that the Portuguese had a draft and bottled beer stout…called Super Bock Stout! So I paddled about writing up the blog, eating and drinking. Lots of places have wi-fi throughout Europe but in this instance I just found a bench in a residential area and clicked on the 'connections' until one didn't require a password. São Bras is still a couple of hundred metres above the coast and I flew into Faro Airport in less than an hour to check out what they insisted on as regards packing the bike up. I suppose I was hoping for that defining moment of seeing the sea and literally drinking in the view but Faro traffic is fast and furious with lots of tall buildings obscuring a full view and whilst I caught something magical and blue it wasn’t until I cycled to the centre and plonked myself on the side of the harbour that I could look at the sea and simply reflect on the bold facts that I had travelled 2,035 miles, up hill and down, in hot and often wet and sometimes cold weather, along cycle paths, over cobbles and dual carriageways, with solitude and articulated trucks and every inch had been covered under my own power. Before the flight on one day I cycled along the coast east to Tavira, a truly beautiful resort nowadays, for an omelette and coke. Other events included finding a wretched box to pack the bike into to satisfy Jet2 and also buying a holdall to put my panniers and other luggage into. I found a super bike shop who happily gave me a free box (http://www.bikealgarve.com/) and the folks at my last hotel were very nice and helpful (http://www.hoteldombernardo.com/).
As a final thing to say then.... Anna and the kids had been wonderful support and I had loved the texts, emails and Facebook messages that I had had from people (a really big thank you) as I progressed but ultimately I had achieved this myself and on reflection then it is amazing and these are truly the times of our life.
As a final thing to say then.... Anna and the kids had been wonderful support and I had loved the texts, emails and Facebook messages that I had had from people (a really big thank you) as I progressed but ultimately I had achieved this myself and on reflection then it is amazing and these are truly the times of our life.
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| Faro Marina |
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