A lot has happened (and it’s not all here)

So much has happened in such a short space of time you might actually fall asleep reading this!

A Quick Recap

After Santiago de Compestella and World’s End, I had another day (Friday) at Gres for a shorter ride out, I took photos and video but all you’re getting is one and a very short story.

I stopped for morning coffee at a place I assumed was run by a lady, I don’t know why I thought that, it just had an ambiance about it. Now don’t get the impression that I’m particularly looking for establishments run by ‘ladies’, I can assure you that’s not the case at all! So I was surprised to find an old geezer behind the bar, in Spanish I asked for a coffee and it was like I was speaking to him in a foreign language, eventually we got there and I got a small cake, all for just one euro! 😱

Saturday

I met Carlos and Patricia at the bus depot in their home town of Pontevedra, they took me to a lovely place with a view across to two islands, Illa de Monteagudo and Illa do Faro. Then for a better view Carlos asked if I was ok riding on a dusty road surface? Well if it’s flat it’s not a problem. So him and Patricia on the GS lead a fully loaded Triumph cruiser bike on, well let’s say a slightly demanding section of road. Everything worked out fine and we got even better views however there’s now a coating of dust on Reg and me! 😆

They again treated me to lunch before we headed off to where I was staying for the night, Baiona, a lovely little town with beaches and a castle. After I’d relieved Reg of his burden we headed off for another hour’s bike ride up through the pine forests to the summit of ‘a big hill’ above Baiona. The views were amazing and I have never ridden through a place where there were so many wild horses, it was a very special experience!

After a drink back at the bar they headed off back home to leave my bottom lip quivering as the enormity of being a solo traveller slapped me in the face yet again. But before I left Spain this morning (Sunday), they said I should visit Castro de Santa Trega about a 45 minute ride of where I was staying. I have to say that it was another golden nugget and I thoroughly enjoyed going there!

Carlos and Patricia have been so kind and it’s been an absolute pleasure to spend time with them, two more people I will miss.

The rest of Sunday

The worst day on the bike, one could say “A pain in the arse”, but certainly not literally as the seat is so comfy and now I’m putting on so much weight I have plenty of padding! It was the roads, tedious and totally without interest but my highlights today a have been Castro de Santa Trega, Porto (beautiful even without sunshine) and where I am now Coimbra! Those three places have made the trip worth it even though I got turned over by the GNR (cops) for what I would describe as ‘a minor traffic violation’. I knew what I’d done wrong so it was a straight cough guv, and you don’t role out phrases like “Do you know who I am”? or “”Why don’t you catch REAL criminals”? when you’re in a foreign country with three burly coppers, unfortunately they were all male! But I’m comfy in cop company, very relaxed so never stress with them, they wanted everything but my inside leg measurement (thankfully) fortunately, because even Burger King wanted my Covid pass before they’d feed me, I had all my documents to hand.

I ran a video for my ride through Porto but yet again have run out of time to do anything with it.

People Watching

I sit at a street bar cafe in the beautiful city of Coimbra, a variety of music being played by the street musicians which adds to the ambience on this warm summer’s evening.

There’s another solo traveller a couple of tables away., he’s in his 70s, quite well tanned, slim with his rucksack and walking sticks occupying the chair next to him. He’s wearing reactolite glasses, is bald with a white beard, pen in hand and notepad on the table in front of him. He gazes around then makes a short note, he writes his notes as I type this on my phone. I look for eye contact but no, I would speak and ask if he was English coz maybe we have something in common, but he’s avoiding such things, he is however absorbing his surroundings and noting them, possibly for his diary, or a book?

I look at him and think ‘Why doesn’t he look out of place, is it because he is old and therefore we accept that it’s normal for old people to be alone’?

He tries to attract the waitresses eye to pay for his coffee, but she is preoccupied so he gets up and stands there quietly not wishing to interupt, because he’s a gentleman.

There’s a difference between us, but also it transpires, at least one common factor. He displayed no aura of happiness, you don’t have to smile to do that, but everything he oozed was serious and dare I say sad, I don’t think that’s me and hope it never will be, I certainly hope I won’t ever give that outward impression. Maybe I’ve misread him, we shouldn’t place too much importance on appearances. After he paid and walked off out of sight the waitress came over to top up my wine glass, I asked “What nationality was the guy at that table”? 

She replied “English”.