Dat 543 14th January 2018
40 miles (Mogiquicaba to Porto Seguro) Average speed 12.1 mph Top speed 18 mph
After a restless night where I was so hot that I danced around naked on the beach in the wind to cool down, I was up at 6.30 and went for a swim in the sea and then had water and pizza flavoured biscuits for brekkie. I packed up in the morning heat and left at eight, pushing my bike through the sand, by the time I made it to the road I was sweating cobs ( a good northern phrase). The road was reasonable but occasionally a bit like patchwork, there was no traffic so I could dodge the worst holes. I got to Mogiquicaba and bought water, a Fanta and a packet of biscuits before noticing a restaurant opposite. I carried on to San Antonio and had another Fanta and two sticky buns from a bakers.
Before long I arrived at the ferry and paid 2.40 for me and the bike to cross the river.
There was a nice girl that I think was English, but I was too shy to ask. At the other side I made use of the conveniences and pushed on to my campsite. It was a very busy coastline with lots of beach parties going on and quite a few coaches trying to knock me off the road! A few people were doing double takes as they saw me passing and one car pulled alongside and took a photo out of the window. I made it to the campsite and checked in which at least got me out of the rain for a while. It was only 12.30 so I went to the beach for a beer in a bar out of the rain, watching the people.
I returned to the campsite and went to look for a good place to camp, when I came back to the bike someone else was photographing the bike. Then as I was setting up Carlos offered me a small bottle of wine and then Natalie his wife made me some wonderful food and delivered it to me while I was hosing down the bike. Carlos gave me another wine and then a strong caipirinha cocktail.(Ermintrude : Recipe here)
I could not decide whether their hospitality exceeded Thomas’s in Croatia but as Thomas came at the end of a long day I think he wins! This was the kindest gesture since arriving in Brazil.
I showered and weighed up whether to eat in a restaurant or use the kitchen. I chose the kitchen but it was a 3 mile ride to the supermarket and maybe I should have treated myself, although I’m sure I’ll feel better once I’ve cooked for myself. First though I watched Real Sociedad against Barca in the bar.
Camping mundai.