But not quite! Instead the closing of a journey of, all that we had proposed to ourselves when 18 months ago we decided to leave Portugal, to empty our homes and fill a moving one. An opposite order  is  now willing to be established – it’s no stagnation or conformism, rather a  slower flow until the batteries are topped up!

We did accomplish our expectations, tested resources, tasted near and not that close cultures with the possible neutral attitude, across 12 borders (same number for the internet USB sticks). Sometimes we tumbled over familiar elements in random places. We visit 30 different climbing areas, sendind around 950 pitches of rock, we walked a lot of trails, Hélène was guided by 4 yoga teachers, we joined and used fire and music, find some waves and surfed regular spots; got robbed once (2 bicycles), lost our dog twice, cruised without a window – taken by a fierce Bura – for a long while. We decided to travel slowly and settled for long periods of time (for convenience and a realistic sense of places). On the process, we enriched our soul with open views and different landscapes – neither more beautiful nor greater, just singular -; drove approximately 40.000 kilometers on pavement and not so soft roads, having just one flat tire and running out of fuel some…occasions, oops!

We met a lot of interesting people along the way – thanks again for everything. We did strengthen our bodies and minds, realized that – to a certain extent – we were lucky to have the chance and motivation to experience it all.

Now we’re back to where lines go along fishing rods, perpendicular and parallel to an almost always sunny horizon; salty textures and tastes, tides rhythm, rough and placid seas…You’re all invited to this coastal challenges; we’ll be happy if you do come.

No more everyday bounce with the van for our belongings. Again living and doing refurbishing works – here piping a heating circuit – at Castelinho with the kind support of the owners and friends –  Henriques de Jesús family. Sweet!

It’s good to be back to Sintra’s boulders, have them where they’ve always been – just around the corner. There’s still a lot to be done, discovered and opened; some classics which have escaped over the time. Flashing Tecto Recto at the Desnivel All Night Session. Ph. Ricardo Alves.

And all of the Cabo-the-Roca inlets for the multipitch trad adventures. With Francisco in Realidade Separada, Baía do Terror. The normal cleaning procedures – accumulated salt and grain – and, 2nd go lead sent for both of us in this nice crack pitch. That’s the Atlantic granite at the tip of Iberia’s nose.

Felipe working on Mar de Bering. Sabes! 😉 Thanks everyone who bolted in the last few years; it’s motivating to have all these new sports routes. Meio Mango rules!

It’s not all about the litoral…inland at Vale de Poios to remember the feeling of rockclimbing in the hills. Verónica in O Tractor o Míudo e a Velha.

Rosado celebrating another sweated labour on Mango’s Larápio.

On the basalt of Casal Pianos – spiltters and exposed slabs – Mário and O tal canal.

Another day at Meio Mango. Leo lowering from a late afternoon warm up. Direct SW, big W and huge NW swells coming; time to  take the quick draws out of the project (or else they’ll quickly get rusty!), paddle out and enjoy the Surf!  Até Jazz