It is hard to comprehend, but each day is even better than the last. Today we headed to Monsaraz, a most striking white village, close to the Spanish border, and on an imposing fortified hilltop surrounded by cork oaks and vineyards. Spectacular views and the climbing to and within the very substantial castle ruins was reasonable, but I did baulk at a couple of spots. The stunning village, with its white houses and shops, overlooks a striking artificial resevoir, and across to the Spanish plains.
Construction of the Alqueva Dam was highly controversial as it involved the destruction of over 1 million cork oak trees and 200 prehistoric sites. It is 250 square km in size (69 of which are in Spain). The floodgates opened in 2002 and it is Europe's largest reservoir - with a perimeter double the length of the Portuguese coast line. We sailed on it for an hour on a 104 year old Dutch sailing boat with wine and nibbles - even landing on one of its islands.
Then on to a two hour Portuguese lunch in an old olive oil mill. Absolutely laden with food - 5 plates of tapas, then two main courses each (baked cod and roast suckling pig), then a taste plate of four sweets. All the time plied with unlimited wine. Needless to say there was much sleeping as we returned to Evora. Another 33C day, so time at the pool before a late stroll down the street for a nibble. We went genuine local, down a side street - no english spoken or understood, but we were able to secure a very nice fresh salad roll for Pat and a beer and a filled to the brim red wine for me for €4 -and got a photo into the bargain.
A great day, but an early start tomorrow.
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