two big(gest) days on the bikes

22/5/2020 4 Comments

two big(gest) days on the bikes

Day 4 and 5 of the return trip to Lisbon. We're back in high gear, putting on miles for the way home.
First day: Aveiro to Figueira da Foz - 72km
Second: Figueira to Leiria - 58km

Back on the road to Lisbon after a week in Régua (land of vineyards) and a few days in Aveiro (fishing village). These were big ride days, with the boys sure they would not be able to make it. Our longest day riding till now was 54km, so asking them to do 72km was a stretch, admittedly.

Aveiro house (left)

"We'll be ok"

Aveiro/ Portugal's Venice

Back on the road

Big tailwinds for both days, fortunately, made all the difference. Most cafes and restaurants are now open, but many aren't, probably casualties of COVID, and maybe can't. Many business owners we speak to are stressed and put on a brave face. They are grateful for our business and everyone is very welcoming. We haven't had a single encounter with anyone who was unpleasant or cranky. Remarkable really.

A long way to the stunning Figueira beach

Sunset wave chasing

We spent the night in Figueira da Foz, a very cool beach city at the mouth of the Mondego River. Had a great vegetarian meal at Volta e Meia, and spent the night at a very bike friendly guesthouse called Bike Suite. There were surprisingly a lot of people staying there, many letting us know they were awake throughout the night and early morning. It was a long night... Leiria was up next.

Graffiti art in Leiria

Soccer ball joins us everywhere

Moorish castle overlooking the city

One of many plazas in Leiria

Things have the feeling of wrapping up our time here. Much attention now on what is going on in Canada and the mechanics of our trip back. We are working hard to find a way to make it from Lisbon to Haida Gwaii with as few stops as possible. More on that later...

4 Comments

Val Embree

25/5/2020 08:37:07

Wow! what a wonderful team you are. The reports of your activities and decision making, and what you are seeing and doing are magical. And inspiring!
I'm thinking of you on these last weeks of travel and have my fingers crossed for you for travel arrangements here in Canada on your return. If I can be of any help here in Vancouver, do let me know.

Sitkaspruce

29/5/2020 00:03:37

A doctor in New Brunswick has started a covid19 outbreak in New Brunswick after traveling to Quebec and not self isolating after. He infected staff and patients, regressing Campbelltown back into restrictions. I can't link to the article due to anti-spam captcha, but just check the cbc news site for the article.

Haida Gwaii is being much stricter for exactly this reason. I think CHN is very firm on the end of June re-opening to AC & PC flights, and I applaud them for it. If you have to self isolate both in Vancouver and again here, so be it. That's the price of your privilege for traveling during a pandemic.

Kiki

29/5/2020 01:51:51

Hi Sitkaspruce, thanks so much for your comment. We are very sorry to hear about this outbreak in New Brunswick and the regression into restrictions there.

Like everyone else we keep a close eye on the news and follow the messages and guidelines from both Portuguese and Canadian governments. Of course we keep a very close eye on the CHN advice and actions on Haida Gwaii. We will honour self-isolation on Haida Gwaii and if need be an extra 2 weeks of self-isolation in Vancouver, though of course we would prefer to only have to do it once.

Like everyone else we have been in lock down for over 2 months and only now that restrictions have been lifted in Portugal are we carefully traveling again, complying with all requirements of facemarks, etc. We would prefer not to have to travel home during this pandemic and have seriously looked at options to avoid it by returning home later in the summer, but unfortunately - yet understandably - the hospital staff is in need of relief by Tracy at the beginning of July.

Blessings, Kiki

Kiki

29/5/2020 01:59:49

Thanks so much Val! Portugal is a magical country and our journey here, including the lockdown and change of travel plans, feel all part of a divinely orchestrated pilgrimage. We could not have dreamt this up beforehand... No one could have. It's really helping us live in the moment as much as possible, paying attention to the details, going with the flow, enjoying the treasures we find along the way and avoiding or going around blockages when possible. Much love to you!

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two big(gest) days on the bikes

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