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The Monastery was stunning. Up in the hills recently restored and turned into a hotel by some rich cod fisherman. You can stay there for about $100 per night the air was so pure and still we had pre dinner drinks on the terrace before dinner and the pork was cooked in the original over from the 1300’s.
OK this is the life. Its amazing how easily a group of grownups can become like little children again being herded around by the tour leader. I never thought I would like it but it makes it sooooo easy. All responsibility is taken out of your hands. The trouble will be with the waist line. The weather is great 28-30 degress and we are so both chilled out. So yesterday up for breakfast then out to a museum where we had a lecture on Port making followed of course by the obligatory tasting. We now cannot buy any more bottles because of being worried about weight. Back to the boat for lunch! Then we travelled in a bus through the most stunning landscapes of acres and acres of terraced vineyards to the Mateus Palace and gardens. Yes do you remember the Mateus Rose?
Well it appears to be a bit of a embarrassment to them as it is not considered a great wine. Did you know that the Portuguese make beautiful wine but it’s not marketed and exported well. The palace is furnished with original pieces not roped off and was just like the picture on the bottle. But the gardens were stunning fifty year old hedges and a large pond at the end of the drive in front of the palace and of course the obligatory chapel. Every large house and Quinta (winery) has its own chapel. (More churches than Dunedin) The Mateus Palace had their very own Saint in their chapel purchased from the Vatican a couple of hundred years ago. If you can get your hand on a dead saint it will bring you luck. He was St Marius Mar: poor little fellow lying in a glass case. You can’t trust the Vatican’s! Couldn’t face another tasting! Outside the gate was an old lady selling the local cherries. We bought a bag for E1 going in and ate then all, we were the first. Then she decided she could make a killing and put the price up to E2. We
bought another bag coming out! Finally, we finished the day with another 4 course dinner and some local folk music.
Up early for breakfast this morning then on the bus to a famous winery called Sandeman. I very flash new visitors centre and again views to die for. I can’t explain how beautiful the landscape is very skinny winding road a bit scary going back to the boat. This area is quite original and not so many tourists. As our guide pointed out it could be quite different in 10 years. We finished the tour 10am so it must be time for a port!
The people that own this property also own others in the world including Farrington’s from the Marlborough (SI NZ).
The symbol is the Don - A Man wearing the black cape and Sombrero. The black cape is also the uniform of the Combria uni students here. They think that is where RK Rowling got the idea of the costumes for Harry Potter as she used to live in Oporto near Combria University. All the kids wear them while at uni.
So back to the boat (should be called a ship) LUNCH! Finally onto
the deck for a quiet afternoon while we steam up the river. Two more locks. Tonight - Captains cocktails and dinner! I know I know its sooooo exhausting.
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