Blogs from Central, Portugal, Europe - page 7

hi here in the dinning room at Nazare Hostel..... guppy is not behaving so using the computer here instead. Yes it is Tuesday and a holiday here in Nazare ... due to the carnival.. i think last night woke at 4am to check out the cricket score to find out that New Zealand had beaten Scotland and the drums were still beating out side.... so town was still humming at that stage.... checked the readings for Mass this morning at breakfast time.... so I had some idea what the priest was saying.. will try and do it more often as it sure does help... so up the hill for Mass at 9am and about 15 of us present..... the gospel was read and the sermon given and the prayers of the faithful read then shortly afterwards ... read more

Hi. Sunday evening 8.10PM and in the dinning room here at Nazare hostel. Yes have decided to stay here until I go to Lisbon next week. It is clean , only two bunks in the room, handy to town, good kitchen so am not moving for now. Yes went out on the town last night for the parade that by 10 50 PM had not started so headed back. Was good to go out and get the atmosphere of the carnival. Lots of people dressed up, about 8 leprechaun, plus lots of others.. been a fishing area a number of captains. Etc so all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Not sure when the Portuguese have there main meal as the restaurants all seemed to be be busy... weekend so hard to tell. Up late this morning ... read more

Hi Friday 13 February 8 15PM Tomato and onion omelet for tea tonight with hot water. Have been chattering to a gentleman from Canada , who is also sharing my room. Today up early before the sunrise but not able to see it rise but Sun set is easier as over the sea..... was able to have a good chat to Tina last night so that was great to find out what they have been up to and it is Dorset they are going to this weekend. After my muesli time to climb the hill for the views and to the lighthouse. Also is the church that the kniget Don Fuas Roupinho governor of Porto de Mos was out hunting in the woods near the coast covered in a heavy fog when he saw a deer. ... read more

Hi 8PM and here in Nazare. Just as well I took some food on the bus as it was 215km. Had to change bus at Coimbra but got here in one piece.off the bus and found the information centre and found the directions to my hostel. Got here and the place was closed so down the hill with my backpack to sit on the beach for awhile. Found a pastry shop and had a big mock cream cake... After an hour back up to find it was still locked and a phone number to ring... one problem no phone so back to the information centre where the Ladas very helpful and she was able to contact the owner.. so back up the hill ..... and what a lovely place.... think I am the only one in ... read more

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO US! TODAY WE PLAN ON HIKING DOWN TO AN INTERESTING TOWN CALLED IDANHA-A-VELHA. THE TRAIL IS SUPPOSEDLY ONLY 7 KILOMETERS. AROUND 8AM, WE WENT TO THE TAVERN FOR OUR INCLUDED BREAKFAST. WE WERE GIVEN COFFEE, JUICE, TOAST WITH AT LEAST 4 KINDS OF JAMS OR SPREADS, HAM, AND CHEESE. ALTOGETHER TASTY AND HARDY. AFTER BREAKFAST, WE STARTED OUR HIKE TO IDANHA-A-VELHA. I DIDN'T HAVE A MAP, BUT SUPPOSEDLY YOU CAN FOLLOW TRAIL MARKINGS AND SIGNS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. WHERE I THOUGHT THE TRAIL STARTED, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROAD ENTERING MONSANTO, TURNED OUT TO BE THE START OF A TRAIL TO SORTELHA, 73.1 KMS AWAY! WE ASKED A NICE LADY AT THE BUILDING THERE AND SHE SAID SURE, JUST FOLLOW THE TRAIL TO THE RIGHT INSTEAD OF THE LEFT. AFTER A ... read more