Three Historical Villages

Over the three days we have seen three of the historical villages in Portugal. After breakfast we headed to see the Sortelha Castle. 

Breakfast..

This is house we are all staying at, Casa do Cedro

And the town

The hike today would be up a hill and down, up a hill and down and up a hill! 

Instead of fences, farmers plant cactus that eventually will

grow together and form a border. Can you see the little cactus leaves in the ground? Might take awhile to make a fence

The hike changed from dry to forest. Windmills seen on the mountain tops. Here Samuall shares information. He was incredibly knowledgeable.! 

Our goal was lunch at the castle…

This one of the roads left from medieval times.

When asked how far to the castle, Sam answered…long!

The castle 

Buildings from 1756

Now time for lunch. It was an wonderful restaurant, Cardo,

which means thistle. The couple have spent 2 years researching the best local food sources and how to make good food the old fashioned way.

Yummy food

Soup, salad and fruit. 

The couple in charge of Cardo

We stopped at a woollen mill factory, Biren. Absolutely perfection in wool products.

Machinery from years past and still working due to the talented workers.

Hand work being done. It explains why the costs are high.

When looking at fabric samples on the wall, it looks pretty but once you take a photo you see something totalling different. 

Beautiful sweater but can’t fit it in my luggage. 

Now the drive to spa resort 1000+ metres up the mountain, Casa das Penhas Douradas. Swimming pool, sauna and any massage therapy you might want.

Our twin beds…

But mostly it was all about the dinner! 

Or 

And finally 

So delicious but we were so full!! 
Tomorrow, weather depending, a walk or instead a swim and sauna!