Castelo Branco

It's been awhile since I posted and at that point we were stuck on the tarmac at Ottawa airport.This was Mon Sept 4th.There was a terrible thunder and lightening storm so all across Canada flights were affected.I had updated Pauli and I to premium economy and had two passes to the AC lounge but by the time we landed at TO at 2400 hr and raced across the airport to catch our 0015 hr.,needless to say we had no need for AC lounge passes.And so much for the update ,as folks in economy got their meals before we did.
We had left the cottage and Geisha in capable hands with her friend Lou ann and her Mom Jean in charge.I hear they thoroughly enjoyed PEI.
Our friends ,Nicola and Steve were meeting us in Lisbon and we were 2 hours late and of course - no luggage .We were in the lost luggage lineup for over 2 hours and being the efficient airline it is we did not receive our suitcases till Sat Sept.8 at 0100.hr.So we had to borrow clothes from Nicola - And AC will receive our bills for buying something to wear. Unfortunately not having clothes put a damper on our touring plans,but we sure did keep busy . Nicola and Steve live in a small village called Pedrogrande Gao. It is located inland from Lisbon and was in the area where the forest fires were in June.In driving around it was so sad to see the devastation caused by the fires. Many lost their lives but the government won't give an official death toll.There are no forestation regulations in the country and the eucalyptus trees grow unchecked and the underbrush is so thick it is a wonder there was not more damage.It was a wonder though to see new growth happening so quickly with the eucalyptus trees and all the work that is being done roadside to clean up the mess.You might be able to see in my pictures just how close it was to their house and indeed one day a fire restarted across the valley .Every swimming pool,water reservoir and lake was used to get water.
Non the less we toured daily.First stop was Serta to buy new clothes.Then off to Coimbra -the oldest university town in Portugal with steep ,narrow rock streets.Great exercise for the old girls!Touring the museum Machado de Castro was a wonder!What a wonderful job has been done saving and restoring the magnifient artifacts and treasures from the ancient Moor,Portuguese and Romans who all at different times influenced the history and culture of the area - dating back to AD 878.
Nicola and Steve have done an amazing job of settling into their new home and village.Lots of work has been done on their home.They are learning Portuguese and making friends with the local people.The villagers so appreciate them staying here full time as so many who have bought homes here come for a short time and do not make any attempt to become part of the village or make friends with the locals. We learned some language phrases like "Obrigado/da which means Thank you and Bom-dia ;which is "Good morning" and met so many of the villagers.One picture will show us with a lady they call Tia Maria - she is 80 yr old and owns a local bar down the street. Her specialty is a drink mix of 7 Up,beer and red wine.Good Lord-snickerdoolded on 1 of those.
We celebrated Nicola and Steve ' s 10th wedding anniversary by attending lunch at Christians -a favourite spot and having Suckling pig, then attending an outdoor concert in the village square given by the army band from Lisbon.
Indeed we have sampled just about every local food from lamb,oxen stew, turkey,chicken ,fish,beef,cheese,sardines,olives ,bread.None of this is cooked in any way that resembles Canadian ways .But OMG-THE cheese,olives and bread are to die for. And then there is the Vinho tintos de casa-need I translate!
I will add more later folks - this barely covers our first 4 daysRead more