We are in the Alentejo area of Portugal - one third of the country but the least visited. It is full of small whitewashed villages, all of which have cobbled streets, impressive castles, historic churches, and delicious custard tarts. So far we have visited Mertola, Beja, Monsaraz, Evora, Estremoz, Vila Vicosa, and Elvas and tonight we are in a swish hotel near Portalgre - it used to be a convent. I am sitting in the lounge surrounded by armour and swords. In Evora we stayed in a restored caretaker's cottage on a working farm (where they grow wheat, grapes, cork and even eucalypts for their oil). The lovely swimming pool was a bonus as it was unseasonally hot - 34 yesterday. Today was a more reasonable 28. Spain and 4 layers of warm clothing are but a distant memory!
The cork trees (quercus suber) are interesting. They start producing after 25 years and are harvested for cork every 9 years until they are at least 100 years old. A number is written on the tree to indicate the year the cork was last harvested.
It's a very small world - in the Algarve we went to a teeny town near Tavira, and while ordering we discovered that the waitress had married an Australian and live there for 26 years. Nothing unusual about that, but she had lived in East Malvern, and for many years in Hillard St off Karma Avenue where we live!
The hotel is great but the Wifi isn't - I am unable to get any photos to upload - will try again in 2 or 3 days at next destination.
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