Portugal is Beautiful - Rio de Moinhos- Penafiel

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog :-)

In my profession I often depend on a GPS to get to certain locations. Despite having a good sense of direction (I think it was inherited) and trying to get by without relying too much on technology, this time I needed some extra help. I started by dropping the girl off at school every day and headed towards Marco de Canavezes. The day was beautiful and as I left early I had time to make the trip (which wouldn't take more than 30/40 minutes). Once I arrived at Marco, I looked for the company and realized that I still had a few more km to go to get to Alpendurada... So far, so good. After my work was done I got back in the car and tried to follow the signs to return to Porto. When I realized I was on a national road with curves and curves, always next to Rio. The first place I stopped was at the Matos Church overlooking the area's leisure park.
Everything was very peaceful, no one was seen and no cars were practically heard. Another beautiful place to spend an afternoon by the river and with a vast garden for children to run, jump and play with a ball :-)

A few photos and I'll go back to the car. I go down a little further and come face to face with a huge dam that will make me change my location and municipality. It's incredible how I thought I was on one side and suddenly I was on the other... The dam was full and the view from one side to the other is spectacular. On these days that take me to discover new places, I feel sorry for not having more time to explore. But I'm grateful to be able to make my car my office and thus have a freedom that not everyone can have. It is often tiring to do many km in a day, especially on rainy days. But this was a beautiful day and it had to make the trip worth it. From there I headed to the village of Rio de Moinhos, which, being very small, was very well looked after and very welcoming.

The terraces were full and the town square made you want to stay there for a while and watch life go by. There was nowhere to park and I chose to go a little further. Just after a bend I saw a viewpoint sign and I didn't hesitate. I went up to see where it was taking me and started to notice a large staircase to the top of a church. I really like walking but when time is pressing we take the car as far as the path allows us. I reached the top, right in front of the chapel of the Lord of Medicines. I got out of the car and I was completely alone. I'm seriously thinking about asking my husband for the drone to go with me in the car. A few photos in the air and it would have been brutal. The sun didn't let up and I'm honest, the photos could have been a little better. Still, I think I can show you a little bit of this beautiful place.
Hope you like it :-)

I hope you enjoyed.
See you around.
Wishing you much peace and health

Those who pass by us do not go alone. They leave a bit of themselves, taking a piece of us."
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince.

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Text & Photography by @Onyfest

With love @onyfest