Can't Get No Higher

From our balcony you can see the Moorish Castle, where we walked today. Yes all the way up there. I walked to the very top of the royal watch tower, which is the highest point you can see on the right.

Oh, my, what can be said about today? Satisfied? Yes ma’am. Proud? Certainly. Sad that The Walk has ended? A little. Looking forward to tomorrow? Absolutely.

Today was challenging in the physical sense and rewarding in many more ways. We did it! We made it to the top. In these parts, you “can’t get no higher.” And we walked there. Up, up, up!

Standing at the very tip top of the Moorish Castle, looking wayyyy down on our palatial hotel and out on the broad expanse of the steps we have covered over these last six days, was one of The Moments of this trip, with memories that will last the rest of my lifetime. I really cannot express how self-satisfying it was to look around, survey this beautiful part of Portugal from such heights and remember the beauty I have seen and experienced. It’s been so special.

And then, after the Moorish Castle, it was yet another walk over and a little further up to the Pena Castle for a visit to King Ferdinand’s digs and WOW! More incredible views, more looks across and down upon the beautiful country we’ve walked.

Portugal boasts an embarrassment of riches. The people are warm and friendly, the landscape is beyond fabulous, and the offerings from a past of kings and queens and humble, spiritual people are as varied in their heights and depths and color as the spring flowers that cover the countryside. I knew I wanted to visit, but I had no idea it would be like this.

So simple. So majestic. So magical.

So fine.