Coimbra to Averio (40 miles; 327 total)

 Our route today was northwest to Averio, on the Atlantic coast south of Porto, tomorrow's destination. The initial route out of Coimbra was on a bike path, then small roads. The river bottom fields of corn and bamboo transitioned to eucalyptus forest. Many more small villages today and the grape harvest is in full swing. Perhaps because it was Saturday, many of the harvesting crews seemed to comprise family and friends helping each other on their day off from work.

Maria, Our Olive Street Guest House Host, Coimbra.
 

Coimbra cycling group encountered as we left town. One rider fixing a flat, 2 offering advice, 1 stand-off observing, and 4 uninterested. Typical.


Everyone seems to have a plot of this type of kale going. They remove the older lower leaves, leaving tall, slender stalks with fresh stalks on top. A universal dish found in many restaurants comprises cooked kale leaves, black-eyed peas, and toasted break chunks cooked in olive oil or some other fat.

Mixed harvest of pine and eucalyptus.



We mostly see crews picking grapes or hauling wagons and tubs of grape to be processed. I stopped at a pressing operation is a small village and was waved in by the man who turned out to be the winemaker. His limited English was better than my Portuguese. Seemed to be a much more professional operation than most. In the end, he proudly presented me a bottle of his wine. I carried it the rest of the day and will take it to Porto, where we have 2 days in the same lodging.


Thoroughly power washing crates used to transport picked grapes.

Stemming machine. We often see clusters of stems dropped along the roads.

Idalio Estanislau, Winemaker. 

Baga is both the village name and appellation. 

Idalio assured me this was excellent wine, so we are looking forward to opening it in Porto.

Lunch.  "Mixta" sandwich, typically a slice of cheese and ham; 20 cl "small" beer for me, and Coke for John.


Dog of the Day. Warily circling as we remounted our bikes after a coffee stop. Lots of loose doge in the small villages.



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