Hi,
Does two-weeks count as normal? I had said we would try to get out and see beautiful things on a more regular basis, but I’m not sure if two-weeks counts, or if what we did counts. You let me know.
So, this past Sunday was sunny, and we planned to revisit Castelo de Arouse (4Q27+5Q Lousã). We had attempted to visit this castle in the summer (I mentioned it briefly on my June 2nd post) but had been turned back by construction on the road leading up to the castle. But, we did not let that stop us. And by ‘we’, I mean Chris. Chris checked back periodically to see when Google Maps would show the road as ‘open’. Surprisingly, he found that the road had been opened early last week. So, of course, we decided to go this weekend to see the sites.
And sites are there to be seen. Google Maps shows several miradouros and waterfalls and even a grotto. We were looking forward to seeing them all. But when we made it close to the castle, Chris was alerted by Google Maps that our route had a road closure. He checked, and it was the same road closure that kept us from driving up to the castle last time. Sure, we could walk up the mountain to get there, but we had arrived later than we intended and did not feel that the sunlight remaining would be enough for us to risk that. So, we turned around (again) and headed back home.
Not that the entire afternoon was wasted. The drive was lovely when we made it to the mountains south of Coimbra, and it was good to just get out and about. Plus, we stopped at several different grocery chains that we don’t have near our house. It was good to pick up a few things that aren’t available at our regular stores. So, all in all, not a bad day. A funny day, to be truthful. And while we may never get back to see the castle, at least we will always remember it.
Nola