Sunday, May 12, 2019: Day 8; Pocinho, Pinhao and Olive Oil

This morning we departed Barca D'Alva at 6:00 am. At 8:00 am we docked at Pocinho where an included tour left the ship at 8:45 am. Stephen is going on this tour to visit a bakery and return to the ship at 3:30 pm. I decided to remain on board and relax. This afternoon, leaving at 3:30 pm, we both are scheduled to go on an optional tour which includes an olive oil tasting.

This ship departed from Pocinho at 9:30 am and passed through the Lock of Pocinho (going down this time). We will pass through the lock of Valeira after lunch before docking at Pinhao at 2:00 pm.

At 4:00 pm, while we are on our excursion, the ship will leave Pinhao for Folgosa, arriving at 5:15 pm to collect those on the shore excursion. The ship will then depart from Folgosa at 6:30 pm, pass through the Lock of Bagauste and arrive in Regua at 8:00 pm.

Tomorrow, Monday, will be our last full day on the ship. Tonight, we have a 9:15 pm Disembarkation Briefing.

Yesterday evening I was sitting on the bow watching these funny little black and white birds swirling around the bridge. They were making their nests on the bridge structures, but only underneath the columns and spans.

Today, as we went through one of the locks, I was able to get close enough to touch one of the nests.

One of the few things I liked about the stateroom was the door on the refrigerator.

At 3:30 pm, we started the optional tour. There were five guests on a minibus and we set off up the mountain side. We stopped to admire an olive tree, an almond tree and a cherry tree

I bought a 500 ml can of olive oil and a dispenser.