A very relaxing rest day for me.  A late breakfast, followed by a massage from Marjolein, then a steam room, a swim and spa.  It was a great day to enjoy the valley views and bask in the sun on the terrace. Very leisurely.

Some of us had a short look around Manteigas.  It was Easter Sunday, so the church was packed full for Mass, but quite a number of restaurants and bars were open and seemed to be getting ready for the post Service trade. 

Whilst some of our encounters with village cobbles have been ugly – it’s certainly not in the league of the renowned Paris to Roubaix cycle event (which was being run today) This event is notorious for  narrow roads with wickedly bad cobbles, often shocking weather and many crashes.

Thys & Andrew were keen (or gluttons for further punishment) as they decided to cycle the 14 kms of steep switchbacks down to Manteigas – and what goes down must come up. Madness!