Parque Nacional da Peneda Geres.

Today we explored the southern region of Parque Nacional da Peneda Geres, the only national park in Portugal. We headed north west and up, to the village of Campo de Geres with views over the lake and huge balancing granite boulders. Finding our way around is a bit of guesswork, as another tourist said about the maps provided by the tourist information; "you can't work with these maps", but the views are majestic.

We stopped at Campo do Geres to check out the hydroelectric reservoir, where we had a lovely dip in the clear blue water, and to walk the ancient Roman road. 

Hail Caesar! 

Roaming along the Roman Rd.

We drove the rest of the Roman road, stopping at each mile point decorated with pillars, until we came across some unlucky tourists who had shelved their Mercedes on top of a boulder. Luckily this had just managed to stop them going over into the disused trout farm. These roads are very narrow, very windy, and very steep. Thankfully Mike is a bit more confident behind the wheel than Helen and me.

Next stop was at the waterfall right on the Spanish border at Portela do Homen, our entry point into Portugal yesterday. With no designated track it was a tricky scramble to make it into the water, but well worth the effort. 

The forest is cool, fresh and green.

Tuesday was  forecast to be very hot, 39 degrees, so we headed off on our short sightseeing trip straight after breakfast (huge at Pensao Sao Miguel do Geres) back up the road and over to the eastern side of the valley. First stop was at the Miradouro Pedra Bela whee we could look back over our village.

That's the local football field up on the left. Flat ground is hard to find.

Switch back roads.

Rehydrating at one of the many spring water fontes found throughout the park.

Arriving at Cascata do Arado we came across a huge herd of goats being shifted to higher ground. 

There was not much water at the swimming hole and even less in the river so we didn't do the rock scramble thing again.

Stopped off for a look around Ermita,  a traditional village. 

Mike's close encounter with a Lamborghini.

Autumn grapes almost ready for harvest.

Religious monument on th way out of town.

The afternoon was spent in siesta and then winding through the botanical park to the local pool. It is hot. 

Bushfires appear to be over the ridge, but no one here seems to be bothered. So with our documents ready, it's off to sleep hopefully without the need to evacuate. We have enjoyed sampling the vino verde, both red, white and sparkling. Vino verde is wine that should be drunk within a year of production, so not common as an export wine. We found it light and fresh.

The larger public pool seems to be doing an all nighter tonight, still open at 3 a.m., and that's after last night's disco at the pool.