Porto-Cambres and lunch in a bus stop!

(We had no internet access yesterday)

To start composing the blog today, I am sitting under some trees in a vineyard near Cambres in deepest Portugal. It is hot, hot but there’s a breeze keeping me just right. I was assured we only had a short trip to do today, although John had planned in “the best biking road in Portugal.” Finding the location of the hotel which Ross had found on the Internet last night took quite a while this morning and used most of the Ibis Wifi capacity.
With the satnavs successfully programmed, we headed out of Porto. Portuguese drivers are maniacs, by the way. As we progressed it seemed that for every right turn John’s satnav requested, Ross’s requested a left. This resulted in much confusion, muttering and U turns. Lunch was taken in a broken down bus shelter with no seat, very salubrious.
The afternoon became hotter and we became separated. Ross and Morna failed to find the Wine House Hotel and were sent on several goose chases by the locals. Satnav woman tried to send us down a 1:2 gradient dirt track. Eventually a knight in shining armour appeared to lead us to the hotel. St James? No, John.
Prue has since told me that she had wondrous moment on the road to Cambres when she saw stars in front of her leading the way. (I think she and John had a clash of helmets.) Anyway we believe this could be a sign that St James himself, of Santiago fame, (or Jimmy the Crisp as he his known to his friends) will lead us now by the stars. To command full pilgrimage status we will require some relics. The remains of the satnav after it has been pulverised in a ditch could be suitable.
The scenery through the Douro valley was really spectacular with the road rising and falling through endless hairpin bends. The Douro river ran beneath us all the way and the steep hillsides had layers of terracing for the vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees.
And so what of our randomly selected accommodation? Could this be another Motor Stop Helder moment? Oh no! We are staying in a small hotel in a vineyard. It has been recently refurbished and is ultra modern but very tasteful (including the headless monk). It really is 5 star stuff and includes a nice young man, called Paul to carry your biker bags. We had the most fabulous meal and finished the day feeling very contented.