Wednesday 6th April 2011

Left the camp around 10am and headed south on the B road, where we past rolling hills and drove through local villages, some so narrow they needed traffic lights to control the flow of traffic. This area of Portugal is different from the rest as it is made up of large farming estates rather than a patchwork of small ones. We noticed how the land tended to be unfenced and gave the impression that large areas were being farmed by one estate. These tended to be covered in cork trees, beef cattle or new vines. Large areas are covered in what are obviously new vines and we later learned this is due to the fact wine production (linked with tourism) is now more profitable than the traditional farming crops.  It was a lovely drive despite the poor roads, which at times meant driving at no more than 20mph!

We joined an A road to head into Evora and were soon looking out for the ring road, but within minutes of arriving on the outskirts we saw signs for the campsite, it was the easiest one to find yet. The site is just 2k from the historic centre of the city and is a fairly easy walk, slightly up hill. The receptionist was really friendly and advised us where to go as they had some teenagers arriving this evening! We found a pitch which was just big enough for Bella and offered some shade, it was mid 80’s by now (12.30pm).

After lunch we sat in the shade and relaxed with a book, then around 3.30pm Lynn and I walked into Evora, lots of narrow streets and cobblestones. In the main square we found cafes with tables set in the middle of the square surrounded by small shops and a large church. We also found a tourist info where we obtained some walking routes around the historic town, which we intend to use tomorrow and the location of a wine tasting shop! On route to that Lynn bought some earrings from a street seller, slightly Moorish looking.

At the wine shop we sampled five different locally produced red wines and liked them all but finally decided on our three favourites, all of which were 4 euros a bottle, which for this quality of red wine is crazy. We had sampled a 12 euro wine but it wasn’t any better than the others, even the women serving us and telling us about the wines agreed.

It’s now 8.30pm and dark but still warm, windows and doors are open and we can hear a loud chorus from the crickets and frogs or toads, not sure which but they are really loud!