Porto - Barcelona Day 6 Mira - Figueira da Foz

It's already Day 6 another typical day in Portugal that we were preparing to leave a place for the next destination. The weather was slightly wet but not threatening and a chance to meet Lius Alcaide and his family. They were celebrating All Saints' Day by visiting their loved ones at the cemetery. The celebration is on every November 1st and also it's Halloween Day which is popular among the younger Portuguese.

Our stay at Granny's House came with a breakfast and Lius gave us a good spread for the breakfast. 

Thank you so much Lius. It was an excellent breakfast. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

Just before we left Granny's House, Lius' uncle took this shot for us. Lius mentioned that we were the last guests for the year and it will be closed for refurbishment. We hope one day we will come back and visit Granny's House.

The wind came together with the drizzle as we just started to leave Mira.

Taking a turn at Av. Infante Dom Hendrique with a big monument fronting Mira beach, a monument to honour the fishermen. GPS : 40.455653, -8.803012. Due to the strong wind we just don't have the mood to stop by to admire it closely.

Went into a park with Barrinda Lake by the side.

Then we were riding along Av. da Barrinda with big trees looking like a forestry area that is good for camping or picnic.

Few kilometres down the road we saw huge area of burnt trees which we were informed by Lius that it was part of the disastrous forest fire back in 2017 where many people died and many injured.

Timber logs neatly stacked at the road side.

Abandoned buildings on the empty flat land with occasional cars passing by. It was surely a quiet road.  

Looks like there is a junction ahead of us and hoping there will be twist of scenery after the turn.

Roughly more than a kilometre from the road junction we stopped for a break at Restaurante O Pinhal R. Principal, Tocha,  GPS : 40.371985, -8.745793. We were surprised to see Lius again, he drove out looking for us as one of us forget her belonging. So kind of Lius, we sat and chatted again before we continued the journey.

Coffee with snack bought from a convenience store.

We also ordered some pastries from the shop.

At our KM14 we arrived at Caniceira, just a small town nothing spectacular.

Still within the neighbourhood of Caniceira at a small roundabout we took pictures with the sculptures at GPS : 40.350508, -8.748584

Jo had a puncture and we had to stop at Princesinha da Tocha, Pastelaria Lda, GPS : 40.318540, -8.752881. After mending the tube, washed up my hands and had a tea break at the cafe while the rest was ahead of us. Jo has called them to inform the situation and told them to proceed accordingly as we will make our own way to Figueira da Foz.

Jo was back with a better tyre pressure as we proceeded to catch up with the rest.

Passed by a cemetery with lots of flower arrangement at the site as the Portuguese were traditionally celebrating the All Saints' day as informed to us by Lius. Simultaneously the younger generation celebrates Halloween Day at the same day.

After the 30th km we began to encounter steeper road at N109 and gradually becoming winding and tough.

At Cafe 109 located at Road N109 GPS : 40.202955, -8.828031 we regrouped with Anne, Joe & Lynn, they were having a good time with a Cuban friend Eduardo Benett with his live performance. Feeling like we were in Cuba. Thank you Mr. Eduardo!

The weather during that time at this place was misty and looking dangerous to cycle on. Visibility was poor. We decided to made a turn on the right for a quieter and safer road. Thank goodness the turning came in timely. GPS : 40.189967, -8.830359 R. Saltadouro da Ponte.

After turning into R. Saltadouro da Ponte it was still in a climbing condition but for another 400 metres, then at was downhill all the way until we could see civilisation again. The feeling of relief was absolutely wonderful.

We finally arrived near the coast of Figueira da Foz in the hope to locate the accommodation as soon as possible.

There you are, Marina Charming House, another lovely place to stay. Though it's a small place but it is well maintained and in very pleasant condition.

Further down Marina Charming House is the river mouth of Mondego River, we took a walk there and were looking for a place to chill.

Time to enjoy the scenery at the marina at Mondego River.

Sitting outside of Skiqper Bar enjoying the lovely view with our cold beers at GPS : 40.148040, -8.861807

We tried so many types of beer in Portugal and this is one of our favourites. 

As usual we would request from the reception for a good food recommendation and was introduced to Tavern Ti Joao.

I really enjoyed Portuguese food I thought I could not survive in Europe with its food for so long but I did and like it very much indeed. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

Thank you Tavern Ti Joao for a gorgeous dinner and forgetting their house wine "Douro" at R. Poe. Acácio Antunes, GPS : 40.149024, -8.863034

Though the distance is not long but it was a tough day due to the head wind and the last lengthy climb. Well done anyway to the team.

Porto - Barcelona Day 5 Mira Portugal we are coming

Good bye Cool and Sea Beach House and Good bye Furaduoro !

Parque de Merendas do Carregal is a picnic park in the middle of a pine forest it is located near the roundabout with a fishing boat in it as seen in this picture. GPS : 40.865311, -8.656726

Yes, another 24km we will be at Sao Jacinto where we were expected to take a ferry to cross Aveiro Lagoon.

We stopped here to determine which one of the two roads to take, the bigger road R. Francisco Ramada or R. do Caminho do Norte at GPS : 40.818313, -8.669818. We then opted for the smaller road which is the secondary road hoping to see the inner of the surrounding.

Along the road we stopped by a house to admire at a windmill at the garden, the lady owner came out of the house proudly told us that it is a made in Portugal windmill. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

Eventually the smaller road joined back to Francisco Ramada which is actually running along Aveido Lagoon.

Stopping at GPS : 40.785557, -8.683685 along R. Francisco Ramada.

Still on the main road N327 at GPS : 40.769634, -8.695228 we saw more fishing boats at the shore which I guess it's another fishing community.

In front of Estalagem Riabela Hotel
GPS : 40.768345, -8.695626

And gladly back into the red lane by a marina at Torreira (Cais da Torreira)

Everyone agreed to take a break for coffee and some snacks. Café Esplanada da Ria GPS : 40.760871, -8.700543

While our bikes and raincoats were left outside of the restaurant.

The coffee here was real "kaw" and satisfying, so was the pastry. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

One at Café Esplanada da Ria Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

This place known as a shipyard museum called Porto de Abrigo da Torreira with neatly docked boats (colourful sampan).

Praia Do Monte Banco, Torreira one of the many beaches along the way.

The journey continued ... pedal by pedal we gained our mileage towards our destination, experiencing the scene of Aveiro Lagoon as much as we can.

The staff was kind enough to allow us to use the washroom at a Sao Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve Centre at GPS : 40.670843, -8.724834

Happily we rode on with the continuous intermittent drizzle always keeping our faces moist as we cycle.

We have just missed the 12.25pm ferry at Sao Jacinto Ferry Terminal and had to wait for the next one which was scheduled at 2.15pm. Hence we ended up for an early lunch break at Padaria Pastelaria GPS : 40.661428, -8.729016

Local pastry was good and we just decided to go for a light lunch. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

We had nearly 2 hours to kill let's chill out at this local joint and Padaria Pastelaria is only 80 metre to the jetty.

Aveiro Ferry appeared at the jetty and our plan to cross the lagoon has finally become possible.

The time was 2pm, more and more people appeared at the jetty and waiting to embark onto the ferry. So were a few cars in the queue waiting. Out of no where 8 Chinese people with small bicycles joining the crowd to get into the ferry.

The passage way to the ferry and it was the highlight of the day travelling on a boat for a change.

The ferry was packed, seated area was full, area for the cars was also full maybe a bit more space left for bikes.

At last all were relieved and happy for being able to embark on the ferry to continue our journey to Mira.

The other side of the lagoon is Barra de Aveiro Fort.

The white tower is part of the partially destroyed Fort of Barra (GPS : 40.645038, -8.732618) built in the 17th century. It has lost its strategic and defensive importance and contributing only to the orientation of the boats at the entrance. The German boy on roller skate was travelling alone, salute to this young man!

We lost and seek help from this super helpful man, first he was happy greeting us, gave us encouragement and promoted Portugal. Finally he advised us on the shorter route to Mira if we were rushing to reach our destination. 

We basically took the secondary route again going through the local community with houses sited very close to the road.

The road at R. da Boa Hora may not be wide but relatively it has not much of traffic on it, hence it was rather relax when riding along it.

Another rest stop at a typical bus stand.

What ever food we had in our bags were taken out for a food break, Fenn eating her hard boiled egg while the rest eating fruits at the road side of R. Principal, GPS : 40.558799, -8.753268

After 50 over kilometres we were at this stretch of empty farmland Rua Osso da Baleia where Oregon was telling me that destination is close by but we could only see only thick vegetation along the road. GPS : 40.464922, -8.795260

We found the place without much difficulty. Lius & Bruno came to open the hostel for us, it's Granny's Guest Hostel. A house that Lius & Bruno used to live in the younger days. Lius told us he was born in Room no:10 at first floor. Located at Praia de Mira, GPS : 40.455326, -8.798802

Our bikes were kept in the garage at the far end with a door in green colour.

We were recommended by the host to try the food at Salgaboca Restaurante, R. Furriel Meliciano António Henriques da Costa, GPS : 40.452381, -8.803402 Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

We walked about 750metres through the dark town to get to the place. The restaurant is cosy and spacious with lot of local wines displayed at every corner of the restaurant.

The seafood was fresh coming from the nearby sea and the dishes served were excellent, especially going together with the local wines. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

Though the pricing might be slightly on the higher side but it was absolutely worth the try. I would recommend this restaurant to you if you happened to be in Mira. Photo credit : Anne Cheong.

Good night Granny's house and looking forward cycling again tomorrow.

The route we took for a distance of 55km inclusive of the ferry ride at Aveiro Lagoon to Mira from Ovar.