Hard work is being done

I’m still deep under the covers while there’s a lot of work going on in the fields next to my tent. Hikers are coming and going, curiously peeking into my tent while I prepare my coffee. Understandably, they won’t often see a scene like this. I don’t feel rushed to get up. It’s dreadfully cold this early in the morning.

Well organized

When the sun starts to give a bit more warmth, I get out and freshen up at the toilets near the bullring. It’s well maintained again. Just like in the other historical villages, you can use tidy public toilets here.

Charged power banks

I pick up my freshly charged power banks from the nice gentleman at the tourist information office and set off after writing a bit at a table. It’s almost noon by now. This diesel just won’t get going. And that’s not going to happen today either. I’m struggling and panting. My body isn’t up for it, while I feel fine mentally.

Ruins

After 6.5 km, I see the ruins of an old farmhouse. It’s dead silent. Majestic cork oaks are scattered here and there in the dry grass, numbered and stripped of their bark. A low bench and a rectangular stone block stand on the courtyard, which can serve nicely as a table. I’m going to cook here. Walking isn’t going well anyway, and I’m feeling quite hungry again.

Words fall short

And then… where words fall short… This place, this tranquility, this silence, this serenity, this… this… I just have to be here. I just have to stay here.

Magical place, take a moment

An experience to cherish. So glad I didn’t push myself to keep going. So happy that I can truly enjoy this magical place for me: a ruin in the dry grass, with a view of a beautiful oak, a stunning sunset, and the full moon… but what surprises me the most is the complete silence.

Deafening silence

In this place, you hear absolutely nothing. No crickets, no birds, no insects, no wind, no distant barking dogs (you can often hear them for miles), only my footsteps in the dry vegetation. This is my place. This is my night.

Overnight stay: Idanha-a-Velha