Vocal Voices

How far is Sintra from where you are?

Waaaaaay oop north. Lovely place. On our bucket list to visit.

I've just googled and it's about 160km.

David and I vowed today to get back on our climbing/travelling trail and decided this was first on the agenda.

Road trip here we come.

We have tracks through forests, which are really lovely, so if you want something different, we're here.

Jan, Chris and I go miles, walking the dogs. And they always, always, little buggers, save the last hill for last, just for me.

https://www.google.com/search?q=castro+ ... nt=gws-wiz

We walk from just up the track, to this place and back.

We're looking at five days and I've insisted on one big hike.

Our town is the hilliest place imaginable so I'm used to gradients.

It's lovely actually as David has been through a tough old time the past couple of years with mental health problems and really hasn't felt like yomping.

We'd got talking over lunch today and much to my delight he said he was ready to put his climbing boots back on.

So much so Sunday June 12 is on our calendars for a yompette.

Then we got talking about resurrecting our trips to different countries. Portugal was decided quickly plus the fact it'll be cooler weather.

Son was in Sintra earlier this year. Had to go to Lisbon and Coimbra Unis to do interviews, then back and down to Faro / Portimao for a few days holiday.

It's about 205 to 220k to Jan's Ourque by road, depending on the route through Lisbon.

The train is worth looking at.

Thanks WM but car it is.

David loves driving, I love his driving and Helga (David's car ) will be perfect on the journey.

Go the pretty route, nearest Spain. Mertola, Serpa, Monsaraz. Very flat though