Yesterday was another cool sunny day, perfect for cycling to the next surf town. Well, I was told that Ericeira was very quaint and it is. However, surf schools have become a big part of the economy as of late. For 30 euros one can get a 2 hour lesson with all equipment included. I am staying at a youth hostel here called Fisherman’s House where there are several Germans here for the surfing and a Dutch woman on break from university here in Portugal. More backpackers arriving today. The hostel is owned by Anna and was built by her grandmother. Her mother added two floors on top where they lived. She rented the large room on the first floor to a church. When the church moved, she converted the building into a hostel. Anna is wonderful and I am enjoying talking with her and all the other folks staying here.
Being that today is Friday the 13th, and that my new MO is to slow down and enjoy where I am, I am staying another night. The plan is to visit the summer palace for the king in Marfa. It is an ornate baroque structure and it is open! Yes, plans need to include how the pandemic is affecting attractions.
So, back to yesterday and my ride. I am continually amazed at the route that Ride with GPS picks for me. Paved roads will end and a donkey path will appear. This path will take me to the next neighborhood where the paved road resumes. Starting out, there were several small towns of course built on a hill. At the top of one particularly steep hill, I gave the man I met my sign of “steep hill” by panting with my tongue out and holding my hand at a steep angle. He agreed and invited my into his front yard to have a glass of port wine. He had a lovely house overlooking the sea and could see the island of Berlenga on a clear day.
The next high point (no pun intended) of my day was coming to an ancient fort perched on the cliffs. A short path took me to it where I could explore and found the heavy wooden door open. Inside were two rooms flanking an entry hall and on the roof was a stone mount for a cannon.
The next town was Santa Cruz which was more of a modern town with not so many small alleys and cobblestone streets that I have come to love. It was a good place to have lunch at a small cafe and was able to find a small jar of honey to go with my bread and peanut butter. A Sarges beer made it complete.
Moving on, the route seemed to alternate between a descent, a beach and a climb. The grape vines I passed started to have leaves as the climate here is getting warmer. I saw more wind generators as well as old windmills a la Man of La Mancha. Finally, just north of here, there was a lovely beach and luckily a boardwalk going up the incline to a viewpoint with a surfer statue at the top of course.
Ericeira is a very picturesque town on the cliffs overlooking the rocks where the waves crash powerfully. I was mesmerized watching them from a little outdoor bar yesterday. Tomorrow I will go to Sintra, well known for it’s palaces and castles. I stocked up and took a roll of toilet paper from the apartment I stayed at yesterday since they had a big drawer full, so life is good…
Link to my route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32107808
2 Wheeled Wanderer 
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, so if i never get to go there in person at least I will have seen some of it, vicariously through you! Stay safe.
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