A few days in Sandwich
After a gruelling winter we needed a break, nothing too dramatic, but a change from the everyday, work, and responsibilities, and so decided on a few days in Sandwich on the Kent coast.... READ MORE
Gijon to Santander
Our time in Spain had come to an end and we had to drive from Gijon to Santander to take the Ferry back to the UK. It was sad to leave but at... READ MORE
The Parador in Gijon
The Parador in Gijon is on the edge of the town, at the far end of the San Lorenzo Beach from the old town. I’ve talked a lot about it so a separate... READ MORE
Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon
The Parador of Gijon overlooks the Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon, in fact you might say it is situated in the park. It was a joy to stroll here at some point... READ MORE
Wandering in Gijon
On this day we decided wandering in Gijon would be a good idea, so we took a taxi to the town centre again. We were also on a hunt for wine! The harbour... READ MORE
Cimadevilla of Gijon
The old town is the Cimadevilla of Gijon, situated on and around the Santa Catalina Hill in Gijon. We took a taxi into the town – I was still on somewhat ‘go-slow’ –... READ MORE
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The Monastery of Santa Maria de Flor da Rosa
The headquarters of The Order of Malta was established in Crato in the 14C and in the 15C D. Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira (1360-1431), the Prior, established a monastery/castle in nearby Flor da Rosa. The buildings have now been restored and extended to create a … Continued
Art in the Pousada Santa Maria Flor da Rosa
There was an exhibition of carved figures while we stayed in the pousada, and an installation in the Chapel.
Travel in Portugal, Day 5, Avis to Flor da Rosa
We should have lingered, found a café or dining room, but I am restless and so we left Avis on quiet roads to Ponte de Sor. Galveias is a small settlement between Avis and Ponte de Sor, founded under the protection … Continued
Travel in Portugal, Day 5, Avis
Avis, like many towns in the Alentejo, probably has pre-historic and Roman roots. It was then controlled by the Moors until retaken by the Portuguese in 1211. The King gave the land to the Friars of Evora with the directive … Continued
A quiet road in the Alentejo
A quiet country road took us from Flor da Rosa to Avis.
Travel in Portugal, Day 4, Crato
The day was unsettled, with dramatic skies over Crato, an extraordinary small town in the Alentejo. The first stop was to see a colony of storks in an abandoned building on the edge of the town. In the 13C vast areas of the … Continued
The Anta do Tapadao
Although it had been a long day exploring the Alentejo and Abrantes the light was too beautiful to be indoors. The Anta do Tapadão is on the road between Flor da Rosa and Aldeia da Mata and is a burial mound estimated to be … Continued
Travel in Portugal, Day 4, Walking around Flor da Rosa
After all the driving I needed to walk and so we set off from the pousada for a walk. I took the small camera and did not have a good day, so only small photographs! The walk was lovely – quiet … Continued