60 KM from where I live is that part of Espania that pushes into Portugal, so I had a look at the map and discovered a dam there, with a road across it, I expected it to be closed as I could see gates at the Hydro plant, so off I went...
Here, circled in green was the destination, the other place circled in red is Vila Velha de Rodao.
The barragem is hydo and very boring, in that there was not a lot of water moving, despite recent rains, concrete, dull and looks almost Eastern Bloc to me.
This was the upper level.
This is the lower level.
I watched as the Griffon Vultures were riding the thermals over the Spanish side and decided to have a spirited ride back, being a little more familiar with the wash outs on the roads from the weekend rains.
I went back to Maontalvao to turn right and noticed an old Bull ring, so decided to have a mooch.
It looked pretty run down...
As you will notice, the weather is bloody awful!
I found my way to the animal entrance....
Thinking about how old it looks and thinking that it is probably not used any longer, I noticed this work to the electrics, which looks recent. New looking flood lights as well.
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montalvão
I decided to stop to take some photos of VR Rodao from the other side of the river Tagus. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vila_Velha_de_Ródão
You can see it is dominated by the paper mill and timber mill, personally, I don`t really like this place, it is a little run down, but it looks as though work is being done. The riverside is lovely though, with pleasure craft for visitors and you can watch the cray fish scurrying around in the crystal clear waters and they have power boat racing here every September.
Looking away from the town, which is preferable for me.
So I went over the bridge, through this hillbilly place and noticed a place that I thought would be great as an overlooking waterside eatery, was being developed....Good, it is in a great position.
So onto the road thinking I knew where I was going and realised I had taken the long way back, but this was a blessing, as it enabled me to find a road I thought I would never find again!
Some piccies...
Viewing platform and below is the Ocreaza River, way down below, you can hear the waterfall though.
There is a river down there...
As you can see, the weather is still awful and I am considering waterproofs.
I had no idea where I was really, other than I was close to Cobrao, which has a lovely river beach bar with a gigantic boulder in the middle of it.
Info from where I am now...
Continued....
Here, circled in green was the destination, the other place circled in red is Vila Velha de Rodao.
The barragem is hydo and very boring, in that there was not a lot of water moving, despite recent rains, concrete, dull and looks almost Eastern Bloc to me.
This was the upper level.
This is the lower level.
I watched as the Griffon Vultures were riding the thermals over the Spanish side and decided to have a spirited ride back, being a little more familiar with the wash outs on the roads from the weekend rains.
I went back to Maontalvao to turn right and noticed an old Bull ring, so decided to have a mooch.
It looked pretty run down...
As you will notice, the weather is bloody awful!
I found my way to the animal entrance....
Thinking about how old it looks and thinking that it is probably not used any longer, I noticed this work to the electrics, which looks recent. New looking flood lights as well.
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montalvão
I decided to stop to take some photos of VR Rodao from the other side of the river Tagus. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vila_Velha_de_Ródão
You can see it is dominated by the paper mill and timber mill, personally, I don`t really like this place, it is a little run down, but it looks as though work is being done. The riverside is lovely though, with pleasure craft for visitors and you can watch the cray fish scurrying around in the crystal clear waters and they have power boat racing here every September.
Looking away from the town, which is preferable for me.
So I went over the bridge, through this hillbilly place and noticed a place that I thought would be great as an overlooking waterside eatery, was being developed....Good, it is in a great position.
So onto the road thinking I knew where I was going and realised I had taken the long way back, but this was a blessing, as it enabled me to find a road I thought I would never find again!
Some piccies...
Viewing platform and below is the Ocreaza River, way down below, you can hear the waterfall though.
There is a river down there...
As you can see, the weather is still awful and I am considering waterproofs.
I had no idea where I was really, other than I was close to Cobrao, which has a lovely river beach bar with a gigantic boulder in the middle of it.
Info from where I am now...
Continued....
