Up fairly early for an early departure from Fatima.Bit sad really.This was just a wonderful experience.I was lucky that I had walked around so much after we arrived yesterday.Many on the bus were darting to shops trying to get a special souvenir from here but most of the shops were still closed.I wandered 2 or 3 of the shops late yesterday.I went especially to the shop that is run by the nuns here.All proceeds go back to the community from that shop.As to be expe...

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!WOWWOWWOW!!!This is the Palace of Bucaco.Built as a Monastery in 1628.There is an Olive Tree in the middle of the lane close to this Palace.The Duke of Wellington used to tiie his horse to this olive tree when he stayed the night at the Monastery.And it is still here.Even though it's in the middle of the road.It's still here.I almost ran from the bus to the 200 year old 'Wisteria Walk.'Wow!It was just stunning!!Unfortunately, no...

Wonderful city tour with a wonderful guide, Fatima this morning.First a drive through the city. Then we were first at The Stock Exchange.This is a fairly ordinary building from the outside but absolutely spectacular inside.It is hard for the photos to do it justice.Fatima was a lady about my age with a very dry sense of humour.We walked into one room with magnificent brass and gold chandeliers.Each one weighs many, many kilos.As we are standing under these gazing...

Funny, funny morning.Gladys was admiring my new top at breakfast.I look down and the top button is undone.Not really a good look.Hastily done up.It pops again.Hmmm ...Safety pins safely locked away in the suitcase that is now in the bottom of the bus.Hmmm ....So ( holding myself together ) I approach reception ...The man there does not speak English.And, the sheet of common Portuguese phrases that Tiago has given us does not include anything resembling ...' H...

Where vineyards and spectacular scenery is everywhere!Wonderful hilly region, great views.We went to the Palacio de Mateus.Wow!Absolutely stunning.So hard to describe this.It was simply amazing.You walk down the tree lined driveway and the vista of this beautiful house appears in front of you.Twice.Because there is the perfect reflection of the house in the huge lake in front of it.We were there on a spectacular sunny day.Tiago grabbed us all and arranged us on t...