Cats, Wisteria, and Hills!

We left Tomar at 7am bound for Alvaiazere, a 31km walk. Leaving early in the cool morning was perfect. The first few kms along a river were lovely. But then the terrain changed and we climbed. Just as you think you are at the highest point Portugal somehow found a few more meters to test us. But what goes up has to come down. 10 grade down then 10 grade straight back up. We walked through cork and eucalyptus forests, past old abandoned houses and barns, magnificent wisteria trees and the odd guard dog. Oh, and Jay found a cat who likes ice cream. Noticed the price of 91 petrol, E1.594 a litre. There is a great deal of poverty here, and it's sad to see many abandoned houses in the small villages. Tomorrow we head to Alvorge, then Conimbriga so Jay can explore the Roman

ruins. We have decided to have 3 nights in Coimbra, a city with castles, museums, and a library with bats!