4.
At the road turn right
and, a further 200 metres on, turn left onto another
track heading north. After 1300 metres, turn left by a
house with a large and impressive stone wall made of
huge chunks of limestone.
These
tracks offer lovely views of the countryside and, with
the fresh air, exercise and a feeling of solitude, are
the best therapy imaginable.
5. The track winds its way
south through a newly planted vineyard which opens up
views to the surrounding countryside and hills beyond.
After 1200 metres, you meet another road where you turn
right and follow the road uphill to the left until you
reach a remote church on the right.
Stop
and take a look around the church, particularly the
adjacent cemetery, which has a rather morbid and
strangely carved skull and crossbones above the entrance
gate.
6.
At the church, turn
left and, keeping right at the junction and ignoring the
signs for Chicharo, you will see a clear track on your
left. Follow this track through farmland, past a
particularly strong smelling cattle farm until, after
1500metres, you meet a road. Cross the road and continue
straight on towards Carreiro da Areia.
7.
Once in the village, you meet a cross
roads where you turn left, signposted Pintainhos and
follow the road back to the village and your starting
point.
On
this road, there is a surprise bonus to the walk. On
your left hand side is an enclosure hidden behind the
ubiquitous green screening, strangely loved by the
Portuguese. But, behind this screen are a number of
strange and exotic animals. We caught glimpses of deer,
kudu, ostrich, humped buffalo and various geese and
swans.
Back
in the village of Pintainhos, there is an interesting
piece of machinery displayed with an accompanying
plaque, which I could not understand, despite the best
efforts of a tiny local lady who came along to help. She
was very sweet, but could not seem to grasp what we were
doing there and particularly why we should want take her
photograph.
