Hello again and apologies for the slight delay, but the picture of Max demonstrating the beauty of Azenhas do Mar really threw me off my game and I had to take a little break and get a drink.
But yes, the team have successfully arrived at Azenhas do Mar, refreshed themselves suitably and headed off toward the next stop on their journey.
Thankfully the weather has picked up, and we’ve had no major incidents so far (hopefully I’m not cursing things by saying that…)
Azenhas do Mar
Quite literally translating to ‘Watermills of the Sea’, Azenhas do Mar is a stunning coastal village where the properties literally cling to the cliffs.
The majority of the properties are shielded by the rugged outcrop, with the majority having a fantastic view of the small bay and the Atlantic ocean. Down in the bay itself is the restaurant where our riders stopped for a quick libation, specialising in seafood with the most picturesque scenery you can imagine.
There is also a ‘disappearing beach’ down there, where you can sometimes lay out your towel and catch a few rays. Right in front of the restaurant is a natural pool, the water in which gets refreshed each time the tide comes in and swallows up the small beach.
Similar to Cascais, wealthy families from Lisbon and Sintra decided the location was perfect for their summer homes, buying up a lot of the property that had originally housed the local fishermen, and even building more luxurious houses on the outskirts.
Azenhas do Mar often features in paintings and on postcards due to it’s almost fictional perfection.
Onwards
Next up the team head ever so slightly inland as they move toward Café Vitória Restaurante, a small boxcar style eatery in Ribamar which marks the most northern point of the journey! It’s all south from here, but unfortunately for the riders it’s not all downhill!
Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated so far! We’re so close to hitting that target so if you have any spare change please consider donating here.
Until the next stop, here’s a video of the team leaving Azenhas do Mar!