Written by GYPSY JC
Some weeks ago, we met a guy who gave us some tips on places to visit which included the Serra da Estrella, a vast mountainous National park. So today we set off from Fundao which is a place we are unlikely to hurry back to, for Covilha and then into the Estrella. Covilha is amazing in that it is built on the lower slopes of the main mountain and we climbed nearly 300 metres just to clear the city suburbs.
Then onward and upward, road surface good but very twisty and steep as one might expect. Our pilot, Mandy, hung on In there varying from second to third gear as we passed the 800 m mark, followed by the 1000m mark stopping off when possible for quick photo. The higher we climbed the more magnificent the views became and if you are ever travelling in Portugal, dont miss it.The only problem with that was that JC kept touching the video button on the camera so that most of them were useless. Anyway, on and up,
1600 m then 1900 m and we are there, 6230 ft ABOVE SEA LEVEL!! Round the final bend and there were the ski slopes, sheet ice and plenty of people having a great time.
A note for the technically minded, at this altitude your toilet cassette will pressurise and difficult to open the slide!! Release the pressure button!
The dogs were let out for the usual and they made a beeline for the nearest patch of snow and rolled in it, over and over, no doubting their pedigree! After a couple more piccies, time to swop drivers and off down the hill. Despite much advice and guidance on the need for low gears, 4, out of 6, proved too high and with the assistance of further advice down to 3rd we go and 2nd for the tight corners. Some discussion followed as to the wear and tear this downward spiral was having on the brakes, shortly followed by the copilot calling, what's that smell? You guessed it, the brakes were badly and I mean badly overheating. The nearest lay by was urgently needed and on a 6000 ft mountain they are not in abundance but we found one before everything burst into flames. There followed a quiet conversation as to the nature and extent of any damage caused and what further action was necessary which we sensibly agreed was a cooling off period?! After about half an hour we continued down to the next village and moored up for a late lunch much to the gratification of our 4 legged companions.
After lunch, things returned to something like normal and we soldiered on through some lovely countryside to our present night stop at Pedro do Sul overlooking the river Sul.
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Location:Aire at St Pedro do Sul
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