I have just spent a great few days in both Sintra and Setubal checking and updating the walking notes and just touching base with the owners & staff in the accommodation we use. Susana and her family in Sintra are just as delightful as ever, her mother (now in her late 70's) still insists on doing her 3 hour shift on reception each morning and does not understand the meaning of the word 'retirement'. I made a quick visit to Cabo da Rocha which features on one of our walks and was amused by a group of women from Japan who all insisted on having their photo taken one by one at the monument (I had to squeeze my photo in) as it was quite obvious they were going to be there for quite some time.
Setubal has changed very little and the walks even less which was good news. The town is being done up at the insistence of the council but it will never be a 'pretty' place however it is a genuine Portuguese working town with a magnificent fishing port where locals still go every morning to buy the days catch and the people are just so friendly.
We are very dependent on the willingness and co-operation of the staff at both locations to make the walks work and I came away knowing that this is going to continue - that is such a relief and I thank them all.