Dogs and fences
Well hello pack of 5 huge wild dogs roaming the dunes by the beach, it's 6 am and I was unpacking my tent, soggy with last night's rain.
I freeze and try to remember
- was it NEVER LOOK AT THEM IN THE EYE SO THEY DON'T FEEL THREATENED or STARE AT THEM TO SHOW YOU'RE THE ALPHA DOG?
- why did I decide to leave my dog whistle in Fucknowswhere, province of Bottom of my bag?
The biggest dog of the pack decides to lie down and stare at me while I pretend to ignore them and collect my things as slowly as possible; as I make an impromptu (latin for pathetic) weapon by holding my keys in my fist, they disappear
The day continues to start in the worst way possible, in the form of a longass uphill rocky road, but a hour later I discover a nice parque de merendas and have a much needed breakfast.
My trip continues in a forest, and after about two hours I find myself in front of a long fence, blocking the passage for miles: thanks closing down a publicly accessible path and for not signaling alternative routes, private hunting area.
I drag myself to the spot where I began this forest shortcut and pick a different road, destination Sesimbra.
More like Sexybra AYYY
It's an cute little coastal town right below a mountain, which means that every road, building and person is at 45 degrees inclination.
No luck finding a spot to sleep there I buy some food and decide to try my luck at the Moorish castle.
The breathtaking view on the ocean from the castle, and the nearby spot with trees, drinkable water fountain and BBQ grill makes me stop complaining about the hour I just spent dragging my bike uphill.
In a nearby bushes I find all sorts of herbs, wild thyme, rosemary and lavender.
I start a fire and roast alheira with wild rosemary, onion, tomatoes and beans; as I add old bread to this megasoup I realize that you know you are hungry when you find yourself eating things you'd have never eaten before, like bread in soup or breakfast oatz prepared with cold water.
I pitch my tent too early, some people pass by and I fall asleep while hoping that who's outside won't care enough about me to bother calling the cops, steal my bike or trash my camp
Over and out,
Tom