Day 536 7th January 2018
48 miles (Valenca to Camamu) Average speed 10.9 mph Top speed 34 mph
I think I’ve got my mojo back. I’ve been thinking about losing Frankie and wondered whether he was annoyed at trying to catch me up when I was behind him, or if he thought I was a danger to his safety, after a car overtaking me pulled out while he himself was being overtaken. It certainly wasn’t my fault as I believe I have a right to be on the road, but I guess he saw it happening in front of him. I was a bit disappointed that he disappeared without trace, but he makes his own decisions and hopefully we’ll catch up again in the future. Today though I felt good and pushed quite hard. It’s a bit strange being alone again but enjoyable too.
I was awake at 5.30 with the heavy rain beating down on my tent and felt quite pleased with my tent when I heard the girls getting wet, then I realised that I hadn’t done the fly sheet up and all my clothes were wet. That will teach me for feeling smug!! I got up at 7 and packed up before a good brekkie at 8. Once again I sat with the girls but our conversation was proving tricky. We watched the tv and made some small talk but I really should make the effort to learn some Português!!
I finished packing up and had a shower and then left at 10.30. The road was OK once I got off the cobbles and as I made a few climbs the weather was kind with some cloud cover for a change. There were lots of people waving and cheering me on which gave me a lift and this continued throughout the day with lots of waves from small children and people in bars. I paused to take photos of a church on a hill with a strange name. The church of our lady of good death may have been lost in translation!!
There were lots of ups and downs with some dodgy road surfaces but nothing too bad. I was asked by a guy with a girl and two helmets if I’d seen his motorcycle going the other way. Poor guy, but at least he still had the girl! The scenery was very green and as always lots of birds were singing.
Pousada birra 40 raeis.