Retirement with 2020 and COVID vision

[shabbins]

The route out of Lisboa south is quite spectacular as we cross the 17km Vasco de Game bridge.


Onward to Evora and a convenient free aire with services just outside the city walls.

We decided to chill in the heat and walk around after dark for a change.




Early next morning the tourist bit in Cappella dos Ossos. Talk about skeletons in the cupboard....



Talking of old bones, maybe one of Pauls suggestions next, Monsaraz ???

 

[HurricaneSmith]

Nothing like a good Ossuary too remind each us of our mortality.

I remember visiting the Chapel of Skulls in Czermna, Poland. I wasn't permitted to photograph, but bought a post card and photographed that. Once I had gazed incredulously at the interior walls and ceiling, the Num raised a trap door in the floor which was rammed with the bones they couldn't fit in the Chapel.

 

[Pauljenny]

Oh stoppit..
Sunshine now to welcome our guests from Norfolk. They can stay as long as they like.
Rain still on the cards for the weekend..

 

[shabbins]

Oh stoppit..
Sunshine now to welcome our guests from Norfolk. They can stay as long as they like.
Rain still on the cards for the weekend..

View attachment 56220

Why are you giving Yorkshire grub to guests from Norfolk? What’s wrong with crab paste sandwiches?

 

[Pauljenny]

Shhh.!
That's what's on for tonight..
Sandes de Massa das Carrengueras..
They'll be none the wiser.

They are still jet lagged, from the race to get here.

 

[HurricaneSmith]

Why are you giving Yorkshire grub to guests from Norfolk? What’s wrong with crab paste sandwiches?

Shhh.!
That's what's on for tonight..
Sandes de Massa das Carrengueras..
They'll be none the wiser.

They are still jet lagged, from the race to get here.

I hope you are not dishing up any of that Norfolk Samphire. I often wondered what it was like, until curiosity got the better of me and I bought some. Dreadful stuff that tasted to me of stringy grass dunked in brine. Never again.

 

[Pauljenny]

I hope you are not dishing up any of that Norfolk Samphire. I often wondered what it was like, until curiosity got the better of me and I bought some. Dreadful stuff that tasted to me of stringy grass dunked in brine. Never again.

Managed to burn some black pig spare ribs until they were nice and black, all the way through... Marinated in red wine, garlic, herbs , Onions . Salad, minted new potatoes.
Carmel cream and lashings of Calais red drinking fluid, brought down through Europe, by our visitors.
They suddenly got tired, following their long journey and all the fresh air.
These young folk , can't keep up, bless them.

 

[RoaminRog]

Managed to burn some black pig spare ribs until they were nice and black, all the way through... Marinated in red wine, garlic, herbs , Onions . Salad, minted new potatoes.
Carmel cream and lashings of Calais red drinking fluid, brought down through Europe, by our visitors.
They suddenly got tired, following their long journey and all the fresh air.
These young folk , can't keep up, bless them.

...... but what an enjoyable meal it was! Don’t forget the roasted garlic carrots.... fabulous.
I had no idea that Paul was such an accomplished arsonist, sorry I mean chef!

 

[shabbins]

Ever onward to Monsaraz and a couple of days on the castle car park overlooking the reservoir.

Completed in 2002 it took 8 years to fill up.




Rapunzel Rapunzel I have no hair.

Walking the walls took a little more care above the bullring they have created within the castle.

We found a stone circle just below Monsaraz. Made us want to take our clothes and dance naked. Well, maybe just me.

All that water in the reservoir had to end somewhere.

The dam wall for the reservoir was discovered on our way south for a swim at the next stop Minas de Sao Domingos

 

[Pauljenny]

Thought you might like that..
Before the reservoir, it was dry, dusty arid, useless land.
Only fit for subsistence farming, goats, olives and the odd cork oak.
Now it's more like Bordeaux...Vine fields all around. Top class booze.
Still some interesting small towns nearby, but nothing as traumatic as Monsaraz.
Vila Vicosa has an interesting history and an aire..
Vidiguiera makes some superb red wines, at the local Adega...( Portuguese version of ..Bodega ).

 

[Pauljenny]

Oh.. Autocorrect strikes against.
Traumatic... / Dramatic..

 

[shabbins]

From what we have learnt the village of Minas de Sao Domingos was built around the mines bought in 1854 by the English Mason and Barry Company who introduced a train line to the river Guadiana to ship 25 million tons of ore, iron, gold, silver and copper to the UK until 1966.



They flooded the mine with acid when it closed. No idea why.
Whereas this fluvial across the road is ideal for a swim.



My Bond girl Ursula Undress strikes again.
Quiet night in the wood beside the village and on to Alcoutim for another riverside chill.


Had a drink at the local Fluvial but decided not to swim, it was a little too small.

These are cat baskets provided for comfort, shade and maternity wards.

Shirl checking across the border to see if the Spanish are invading.

 

[Pauljenny]

You will, of course, be taking the ferry across to San Lucar....
and returning via the Zip Wire...
a must do..?

 

[shabbins]

You will, of course, be taking the ferry across to San Lucar....
and returning via the Zip Wire...
a must do..?

Last time Shirl was on a zip wire in Costa Rica she was told don’t press too hard with the leather brake glove on the way down as you won’t make it uphill to the finish. They were right, she was left stranded over a gorge 1000ft up in the rain forest. The solution, pull yourself uphill to the end by hand. Shuddering memories for her but great fun looking back. Don’t suppose this one will worry her.

 

[Pauljenny]

The last 50 metres are quite interesting.
There is no passenger brake mechanism.

 

[shabbins]

The last 50 metres are quite interesting.
There is no passenger brake mechanism.

We passed on the zip wire antics, for now.

Had a nice night by the river. They are creating a full service point on the cemetery car park, building site now.


Intercepted the contraband man but couldn’t get any spare booze.
Then onwards to Mikkis place near Pêra where, after Shirl was trying to cool down a bit, we found Roaming Roger and Chris enjoying a well deserved rest and a fish chip supper.



The grass is always greener for German people.

 

[shabbins]

Not shifted off Mikkis place yet.



It’s a very quirky site



With animal farm


Thought we’d stumbled on Benidorm yesterday.
But today RoaminRog has us strapped down force feeding us doughnuts and coffee, what a life. I’ve repaired an old site push bike and may trundle down to the coast like a local hippy tomorrow.

 

[Pauljenny]

We used to really wild camp , by the Alcoutim cemetery. Quite regularly,
before we settled down , grew up and bought The Hovel
Got to know the grave diggers and polished our basic lingo with them
On quiet days, they'd leave the shower open and we could use the facilities..
Always available for water.
The odd can of beer would change hands.
We often ate in the town.
One day, I ordered Hare. He said, " I'll get some for tomorrow, if you hear a bang , I'll have it ready."
I asked how he'd cook it...
" It depends how old it was ".

On busy days, we'd drive off and explore.
One day 6 French vans, in convoy arrived.
The women took over the showers..for laundry and the rest.
We tried to explain that the hot water was solar powered, and limited.
" Bouff, !! c'est Pas Notre problem " was the reply.
The grave diggers had cold showers, that afternoon.
Next thing , the Cops came and moved them on.
Coming to us last, They said.." just drive off for a while, and come back later.
It's a lovely place for an aire..Good on them.
Brings back lovely memories.

 

[shabbins]

Today at ‘Happy Days’ I managed to make one good bike out of four pieces of scrap and cycle down to the seaside at Praia dos Salgados

 

[shabbins]

After 4 glorious days with RoaminRog and Chris at Mikkis Place

we head East to Falésia for a night on an aire and a bit of seaside.

Interesting cliffs

Marine life a little under the weather.

Perhaps the water quality has killed all the tourists as well.
Off to see PaulJenny later, but no Yorkshire tea in the motorhome.
Will we be welcome?????