7.6.15 - Vila do Conde | Oliveira de Azeméis

Wake up, open the window and see the sea. Is there anything more fantastic ?! The sun was shining and the temperature was high at Princesa do Ave.
I left home and went to Castle where, for years to this part, are concentrated hundreds of bikes all Sundays. From the most recent to the oldest, from mopeds to more powerful superbikes, choopers or the best café-racer style. Every kind of bikes where there!

Then I follow the river, crossed the bridge and reached Varziela. There I headed out to sea. Before get there, after the forest and the nature reserve, corn fields and dairies surround the road, bringing the characteristic smells of the field in the spring, mixed with the scent of lime trees that, at one point, surrounding the road.
In Vila Chã, next to the church, a popular selling from local produce.
As I approached the sea and beautiful beaches, cut by the low rocks, the sea enter into my nose like a big plate of barnacles, oysters and shrimp from the coast. An unmistakable smell of the sea that led to the fantastic view from our shore.
Hidden, with only some vacationers and divers, Pocinho, Moreiro and Sao Palo. It is mandatory to go up to Castro and see the scenery and feel the faith that those people have in the sea. Among the beaches, fishing villages where is baked sardines in the street.
In Angeiras before strolling by boats lying on the beach, I went to the market. Shrimp, lobster, crabs, barnacles, streak, sardines: the best from our coast, fresh, appetizing, opening the appetite for lunch.
Beer and lupins before continuing trip to Leca da Palmeira, through Cabo do Mundo and Praia do Aterro.
Leça onwards the traffic was chaotic and, once again, the Kawasaki agility was tested.
Continuing the movable bridge, and then by Foz, the traffic was increasing given the usual Sunday trips.
At Ribeira, Ponte D. Luis and Gaia were thousands of tourists, enjoying the scenery, the sun and I suppose, Port wine.
In continuous row by continued marginal to the last stop before heading home: the Senhor da Pedra, in Miramar. There was a popular party, hence the traffic is more than a lot!
Then, with less traffic, followed by the A29 to Sta. Maria da Feira, followed by Arrifana, S. João da Madeira and, finally, Oliveira de Azeméis.
It was a fantastic weekend with friends, heat, sea and good weather.
It was a weekend where I enjoyed a scooter Kawasaki, fast, powerful and safe; so safe I ride all the time in shorts and t-shirt, just like a tourist in Capri.
It was an end-of-week that I want to repeat!

28.3.15 - Porto

I left the motorbike at home and i walk. It wasn`t in any route in the middle of the hills, with de Monte Campo backpack, and I do not remember in need of clothes and special footwear.
With the best company, I went through the streets of the city where I was born and where I lived from 17 to 25 years: Porto.
Beginning at Cordoaria garden, with Camilo loves of thought, crossed the street market from Cândido dos Reis to Filipa de Lencastre plaza and then to the top of Picaria. Among brique-à-braque and accents and dispersed languages ​​have advanced by streets so well know like a tourist.
Going down to Aliados, I was at the door of City Hall to appreciate the grandeur of the square. Granite, gray, realize Porto - by the location and the history of struggle for freedom and liberal ideals - is a city with a European dimension.
Attracted by the music, I went to the side of São Bento station where at present the life of portuenses merges with the art and can be enjoyed by artists installations, music performances and theater.
At São Bento, the mob was going towards the river, by Rua das Flores, and we went with them. A crowd filled the " Porto

most beautiful street" and emptied itself into the Douro; the magnificent shining river that unites, for centuries, the lives of Porto and Gaia.
Funicular up to Batalha square and then heading to the Fontaínhas, I could see the bridges, the river, the sun, a perfect setting.
Before heading to Baixa - for concerts and street theater - was mandatory stop at Guedes to eat a ham sandwich and drink a beer. And do it again!
Since we talk about food, the point of arrival following was Piolho, closing the back.
I walked in a Porto of life, mixing contemporary whilst maintaining the best the city has been building over time. Porto of freedom, history and stories that count and that makes special city, attracting people from all over the world. I rode a Porto that I love, where, for friendship and work I return daily.
Then it was time eat francesinha and drink beer, before finishing the night with the sound of GNR and unparalleled Rui Reininho.

7.2.15 - Manzaneda

Life isn`t only St. Moritz and Lech - at least mine! - and I was pleased that, to remember the old days, I went to Manzaneda.
I opening a Nordica boots, green cabbage metallized, and I was excited!
Just a little over two hours away from Porto found a friendly resort for those who want a day of skiing. The accessibility is good, the difficulty is minimal and the atmosphere is familiar; inviting picnic.

There was lots of people and resources are reduced. As soon as we arrived, we purchased the skipass  and hve lunch. It would be noon and the bocadillo of jamon and caña learned for life.
Recomposed the stomach, until five in the afternoon, was a ski festival! Dropped a snowfall during the week and the snow was very good. We went up and down several times the mountain, exploring off-piste through the trees, walked quickly and slowly went to the snowpark.
Despite the little difficulty of the tracks, I felt three times and each of the three were "falls to the world championship." But guilt was not the boots, indeed!
The access to the car was for a track off that crossed a stream and reached the road. I could go down from a little way of snow, avoiding walk several hundred meters.
Since there is no aprés-ski, we stopped in a village to eat another Galician sandwiches before we drive to Porto.