RTG Carrera Iberia The Daily Dispatch - all days - Flipbook - Page 14
Day 6: Trujillo - Douro, 13 October 2019
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
David and Jo Roberts, 1963 Triumph TR4
Andrew and Gina Long, 1937 Bentley Derby VDP
Our time in La Piel de Toro was coming to an end and, by
way of an adios, the ensuing Passage Control in Almazara
San Pedro saw us on our way with a great spread of cakes,
macaroons and coffee.
Whilst most crews had managed to successfully refuel
themselves at this little cafe, Bertrand and Charlotte van
Houtte had forgotten one small thing and were spotted by
the side of the road soon after, topping up their Bentley
with a jerry can.
From here all roads seemed to lead to Portugal and, bang
on cue, we made the crossing into the land of the three f’s
(fado, football and Fatima) which was just the way we like
it. Seamless and unremarkable.
Our first task in our second country, was to get ourselves
to lunch and the Time Control at the Pousada Serra de
Estrela which, at 1200m was both wet and cool.
The road up to the Pousada, which also hosts the Covilho
International Hill Climb should have been stunning, but
the mist put paid to that and, the first rain we’ve seen so
far on the event was a most unwelcome visitor.
After lunch, the second Regularity, the so called ‘crooked
road’ showcased wild Portugal at its best. We were low
enough for the rain filled clouds not to bother us yet high
enough to enjoy the rugged beauty of these amazing hills
(the Serra de Estrela) and we hope that Steve McKelvie rally guru - would have been proud of this section.
From the finish of the Regularity, we paradoxically
enjoyed some wide open views and some of the narrowest
(and cobbled) streets we’ve ever seen, through the village
of Folgosinho en route to the Passage Control in Celerico
da Beira which was now all that lay between us and the
well appointed Six Senses Hotel Douro and a well earned
rest day.
Today is David Roberts’ birthday, one of Rally the Globe’s
founding members and vice chairman, we wish him many
more happy miles of endurance rallying.
With a whole wine region on the doorstep, tomorrow
might see one or two crews taking advantage of a late
breakfast.
Geradus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
Clint and Dawn Smith, 1929 Bentley Speed Six
www.rallytheglobe.com
