Friday 24th May Aracena to Estremoz 

We stopped in a little town to use the ATM and to have a coffee if we were inclined. Our tour leader had told us sometimes they will whitewash the trunks of trees to keep the bugs away, apparently it is true!

And then the time went back by an hour and we were in 


It is very dry is this part of Portugal


So they have built the Alqueva dam to assist with irrigation, unusually it is not one big lake but has lots of arms so its reach is quite far, driving along and over parts of it doesn’t make the surrounding country side greener. But leant a lovely reflection to the hillside town of Monsaraz, where we were to spend a couple of hours over lunchtime. You can just see it on top of the hill.


Yet another beautiful day around 29 degrees wandering around this exquisite little town. We soon found somewhere to lunch and keep cool. Bruschetta with sheep’s cheese, tomato and basil.


Then we found out there was a little terrace on the other side of the wee restaurant, overlooking part of the dam so we moved there and had another drink - orange juice.


I left my huge ice blocks in the pot next to the rosemary, I thought they could do with a drink, as they were picking some for the kitchen. after this we had a wander around and purchased an artisan ice block, pineapple and mint for me. There was beetroot and orange, and lemon ginger and basil, all were enjoyed.

A ceramics shop, beautiful ceramics but not a large enough suitcase!

Entrance Gateway 


Someone’s home. How beautiful is this !!and below they have some really unique chimney shapes,


Some of my partners in crime, sheltering in the shade before it was time to walk back down to the bus. The two ladies in the middle are also travelling on their own, Jenny and Libby, Bernie and Sue on the left are from Melbourne and Ross next to me is with his sister Roseanne who is taking the photo, they are both from NZ. Ross is nearly 85, he is incredibly fit, walked everywhere

Then back in the bus, a brief boiling hot stop at the Palace where Kathryn of Braganza was born before she went on to marry Charles 2nd of England.



Just a small building, we have now entered Portugal’s marble area, so it has a marble facade and the paving is marble chips, it was very glarey and very hot so we were back in the bus quite quickly, 


This is the Estremoz and our opportunity to stay in a castle. 



This was our final night together, so we had dinner all together, not quite as grand as the surroundings but still enjoyed it, lots of laughing going on with Bernie out our table quoting Kenny Everett. the tower of the church that I could see from the wee terrace to my bedroom, was quite magical at night.



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