As I contemplated today’s activity, I realised that I was actually sitting outside the van watching the sun go down around 9pm, comfortably still in tee-shirt and shorts for the first time I think since last September, and how pleasant that was. It tops a day which demands the most lyrical of waxing, extreme gushing and definitely makes it into the Good category. I took the 1hr 40min Douro Valley train journey from Regua to Pocinho for the sum of 13eu return, and this journey can be taken from Porto, and onboard a historic train from June.
The river, surrounding vineyards, relative emptiness, all of course enhanced for me by clear blue sky and hot sun softened by breezy shade, and the fact that this is still well before high season – no crowds, no booking, no hustling. The photos will do the waxing, but just before them – the train was very comfortable, not the sardine packing I’ve come to expect from the UK’s rail service, and amazingly …..
Direction of travel? no problem.
All of the vineyards had their ‘brand’ names including Sandeman, Cockburn, Taylors. It was very like the Moselle valley, or the steep hills/mountains around the Italian lakes. Would be great to have a cycle route also – the only thing missing.
