Novochoro Apartments Albufeira

In between our first two and last two days in Lisbon we spent about 6 days in the Algarve at a very nice resort. Very relaxing and lots of sun to be had.  We also got to eat piri piri chicken every night which made up for the lack of Oporto in Lisbon.  The Algarve will definitely be a highlight of the holiday as it is where we got engaged!  Very exciting! Enjoy the pictures of us flouncing. Next stop: Morocco.

... able to hold back the impatience that by now is growing as fast as the Portuguese sun is rising on the horizon on our left. We've been on the road since a week ago today, it still doesn't feel real that Claire and I have actually left London for good...and there is still a whole month and a half before we'll enter Italy and take the car at my parents' house for a little rest. Stay Tuned.

... by military might - or three men with automatic weapons. Perpignan is an old city, with the due ration of castles and palaces. It is becoming decidedly Catalan, not so much so as Barcelona but the Catalan flag is everywhere. Street names are still in French first then Catalan (in Barca the street names are only in Catalan which is not much help if your street map has the names in Spanish) as of course the French are very particular about the official use of their language ...

The Sunday night train we took here was full of college students returning to school after the weekend. Coimbra (ko EEM bra) is the premiere university town in Portugal. And it has been for over 500 years. We wisely opted for a cab to take us to a recommended pension at the top of the hill near the university. Best decision of the trip probably. We never would have found it even if we did have the energy. Wonderful cobblestone alleys and ...

... With the Moors chased back home, Portuguese royalty was flinging largesse around at anyone who might have been instrumental in the victory. God being considered a likely candidate for "biggest helping hand", the monasteries did quite well. Alcobaça was granted rights to the lands, rentals and taxes of twelve towns and imposts from three seaports. The monks were known for their taking gratefully of God's abundant bounty exhibited in their attachment to fine food, wine ...

So i'm really looking forward to turning 21... it's a BIG deal! This birthday marks becoming a woman, and a fine, young lady. I'm looking forward to knowing i can drink a margarita at Chuy's, and this is the birthday where i get my first strand of pearls! But i must admit to you, that last night i got scared a monster or burglar or serial killer was going to break into my room and kill me. I repeatedly checked under my bed, in the bathtub, and bolted all the windows ...

Thought and thought about where to go today, and figured I might as well take in one of the sights around Leiria. Therefore that´s where I am again tonight. Oh well, I pushed back Lisbon so tomorrow night is now a mystery too. Decided to head to Tomar to see the Convent of Christ. The former home of the Knights Templar back in the 12 century. Headed over to the bus station at 9:30 figuring I should get a bus soon enough. Nope ...

... them), still pretty good though. The Castle was quite large, full of battlements with architecture varying enormously from the different ages. The charola was interesting, very dark, statues and art - described by lonely planet as a star wars set, that took imagination but it was still pretty cool.

3ª jornada de roçagem no Fragalho. Saí de casa às 5 e meia da manhã com destino a Alcouce. Carreguei o equipamento na minha viatura e toca a andar que se faz tarde. Já ia ao pé da casa do Veríssimo, na Portela do Gato , quando me lembrei que não tinha trazido as botas. Voltei a casa e por eese motivo só comecei o trabalho às 6 e um quarto. O Fernando chegou logo a seguir. Eu ...

... eu e o Toino Serôdio, a roçadeira deu os primeiros sinais de reabilitação. Assim aconteceu e por isso esta correcção. Sei que nesse mesmo dia, o Fernando Fernandes e o bebedola do Gonçalves foram para lá e também deram provas que um dia hão-de ser meus ajudantes na nobre arte de roçar mato. No dia 10 de Junho só se partiu um parafuso e perdeu-se uma chapa que não faz falta nenhuma. U.Roçador