A spark is enough

It’s still chilly, around 8 degrees, as I start my day early. At dawn, I immediately pack my things and head towards the climb to Monsanto. I eat my yogurt with fruit and muesli for breakfast, but I haven’t made coffee yet. I find that too risky with all that dry, tall grass. One spark is enough and everything is ablaze.

The climb to Monsanto

Another 4.5 km. The first 2.5 are still over flat terrain. Thankfully, my muscles can warm up a bit first. Then comes the climb: 250 meters up in less than 2 kilometers. It’s not easy. I’m panting, I’m puffing, my calves aren’t happy at all, and the stretch over the large stones is particularly heavy. But at the same time, it’s beautiful. And the best is yet to come…

A fairytale

Monsanto is truly a fairytale. It’s nine o’clock when I walk through the ancient gate. The village is deserted and has a mystical aura. I feel transported back in time, to an era when everything was so different. I wander through the narrow streets and check out the details. What a history.

Pure food

There’s a special picnic area made with a view over the entire valley. Time for coffee and breakfast 2.0, as I’ve gotten hungry again. I grab my brown farmhouse bread, my cheese, and my sausage. I eat as people did back then. Pure and without additives.

To the good life!

At the same time, I’m celebrating the birthday of my late friend. He never got to reach the age of 60. How much he would have enjoyed this moment of mine. For among other things, we found each other in good food. ‘To the good life,’ he would have said with his glass raised.

Fight for parking spots

As I walk out of Monsanto on the other side, it’s now extremely busy. There’s a battle for parking spots close to the village. How glad I am that I was early. Back down quickly! The first part is very steep again and hard on my knees, but then the route is pleasant and easy towards the next historic village: Idanha-a-Velha. For a change, it’s not on a mountain, but it’s no less special.

Camping by the bullring

The village was founded in the first century BC and has seen various civilizations come and go: the Romans, the Visigoths, and the Templars. You’ll find a mix of ancient ruins and monuments. Very impressive. I walk into the tourist information office and ask if I may camp near the bullring. There are picnic tables and public restrooms. That’s allowed. Moreover, the helpful gentleman wants to charge my power banks so that I can pick them up again the next day. A relief, as I was starting to run low on power.

Tent pegs won’t go in

After I’ve cooked my food and done some writing, and it’s almost dark, I want to set up my tent. But the ground turns out to be rock-hard. I can’t get the tent pegs in. I try in different spots, but no luck. What now? I make another attempt by hitting the pegs with a stone, and fortunately, they go in a bit. Now, let’s hope it won’t start blowing hard again, as they aren’t standing firmly.

Lost hiking pole

By now it has become pitch dark and to make matters worse, my headlamp is also giving up. Luckily, I have a bike light, which I attach to my headlamp so I can still see a bit. But then… When I grab my second hiking pole to pitch my tent, I see that the bottom part is missing. What??? With my improvised headlamp, I scour the area, but I can’t find the half pole. I need it to set up my tent. Off to look again.

Duct tape

Eventually, I find two branches, which I bind together with duct tape. With that, I manage to set up my tent. It’s now an hour and a half later…

Overnight stay: Idanha-a-Velha