A quiet day in Argomaniz
We had settled into a wonderful Parador, overlooking this plain with Vitoria in the distance, and decided on a quiet day in Argomaniz. We decided not to tackle a big city, but amuse... READ MORE
Sos to Argomaniz
Sos to Estella We took the usual road into Sanguesa but this time crossed the River Aragon, leaving the town behind us as we drove westwards along the river valley. The valley is... READ MORE
Walking round the walls of Sos del Rey Catolico
Somehow I managed to mislay my photographs, and so for a second time I walked around the walls of Sos del Rey Catolico. It is a good way of seeing the town, and... READ MORE
A visit to Uncastillo and Luesia
We set off from Sos to visit Uncastillo, and Luesia. We had been to Uncastillo in the past, but Luesia was new. READ MORE
A Roman Villa and Lumbier Gorge
The day dawned sunny and warmer, and we decided to visit a Roman Villa and Lumbier Gorge, where we had walked in the past. READ MORE
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Thetford Priory
This is confusing – the Cluniac Order was founded by William I of Aquitaine and a Benedictine Monk, Saint Berno, appointed as the first Abbot at the Abbey of Cluny in 910. The order spread quickly but Priories were controlled by the mother house … Continued
Ickworth House
It seems that the Manor of Ickworth was a gift from Theodred, Bishop of London (died c.951), to the Abott of St Edmunds and in 1184 came into the hands of the de Ickworth family. A licence to create a park at … Continued
Wyken Hall Gardens
Wyken Vineyards is more than vineyards: there is a manor house dating from 1570 with later additions, and ‘..gardens which include a rose garden, topiary, herb garden, vegetable garden, maze, dell, wild garden, nuttery and an orchard, in addition to a commercial vineyard … Continued
The Gothic Churches in Santarem
It was our last day in Portugal and we lingered for a few hours in Santarém before reluctantly boarding the plane at Lisbon Airport. We managed to see some of the wonderful churches in this ‘must return’ town.
Santarem on the Tagus River in Portugal
It was the last day in Portugal and we drove cross-country from Flor da Rosa to Lisbon Airport, reluctant to leave the sunshine and flowers and, let’s face it, reluctant to return to ‘real life’ and responsibilities!
Prehistoric Anta Sao Gens in Portugal
Between Amieira and Flor da Rosa is the Anta de São Gens – an extraordinary sight. For further information The Megalithic Portal – fantastic resource for anything prehistoric
Amieira Castle in the Alentejo
Our days in the Alentejo always included a castle and so after walking we visited Amieira do Tejo, a Mediaeval village high above the Tagus River in beautiful countryside. Amieira and its castle were built as part of defences along the Tagus River … Continued
Crato – Historic Town in Portugal’s Alentejo
We visited Crato, down the road from the magical Pousada of Flor da Rosa, to see the castle of Crato and try and trace some of the town walls.
The Alentejo around Flor da Rosa
The Alentejo around Flor da Rosa is beautiful – rolling hills, abundant water, Roman bridges, prehistoric tombs, and endless flowers. I often went out for an hour in the evenings, with the camera.
Flor da Rosa
Flor da Rosa is a small village in the Alentejo dominated by a 14C Templar Monastery which is now a Pousada and the Church. I walked round the village late one afternoon, just getting back to the Pousada and under cover as the … Continued