26th March 2024 – visited the hill town of Elvas (UNESCO heritage site).
Interesting star shaped fort with some British 18th Century cannons.
Heavy snow is forecast for Northern Spain!
Aqueduct at Elvas:
27th March 2024 – The weather is sadly against us. Too much rain and cold. The campsite owner tells us of heavy snow forecast for Northern Spain! The campsite had large puddles after the overnight rain. Going to the Douro valley today/tomorrow. We decided to stay in a hotel tonight (4 star allegedly) as it was just too wet, windy and cold to use the tent. The food in the restaurant was very good as was last nights tapas.
We have seen so many cork tree plantations with healthy looking cattle and sheep. Lots of new olive trees and groves of citrus and orchards of cherries. They are clearly amazing farmers here.
28th March 2024 – really struggling with the rain. You can see how low the cloud is!
Drove through Warre and Sandeman’ Port vineyards, beautifully terraced beside the river.
We are on a campsite but have an apartment with use of a kitchen and lounge. It has heating too which is useful. The Douro valley is truly beautiful but we are struggling with the wet weather.
29th March 2024 – a whole morning with no rain – wowzer! But now at 12:30pm it is chucking it down again. Visited Lamego town (where we stayed).
We followed the Douro river.
Then the town of Amarente (where they specialise in cakes and sugared sweets!). There is a large monastery here
Braga:
Staying on a beautiful Quinta (wine estate) dating from 1725. We have a log burner which I have lit. Nice and cozy.
30th March 2024 – yup, another wet one. Only 5 degrees too. We are seeing some of Portugal sometimes through mist! We will certainly be back but definitely not at this time of year but then there aren’t the tourist numbers that could make some towns intolerable in high season.
31st March 2024 – 2 degrees this morning and 2-4 cms of accumulating snow forecast on our route (which may have to change!).
In the end a light dusting of snow.
