Trial post

 Heading to Madrid and Portugal on Friday. 


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Truly last post Oct 31st

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Day 6. Cruising the Douro Oct 19

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Our first morning on the boat. Hopped on our tour bus and snaked up the steep canyon walls to Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval village, which still houses about 50 locals. It is located on the border of Spain and Portugal. It was first occupied in 500 BC and went through several kingdoms as groups fought over its allegiance. We took a short walking  tour (in a stormy wind) and ended at one of the 2 TINY gift shops and tasting rooms. Enjoyed flavored almonds, local sheep cheese and almond and chestnut liquor. Dennis really enjoyed the church of Our Lady. The dark atmosphere was serene. It houses a statue of St James, the Moor slayer which dates back to 14th & 15th centuries.   St James   Back to the boat, lunch and a trip down the river. Passed through 2 locks on our way to our evening docking at Pinhão. After dinner, A nice evening walk along the dock.
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 A day of bus travel, but we had some wonderful stops as we headed to Lisbon.  A stop at Nazaré, a sea coast town of about 10,000. Its fame is BIG surfing waves (around the other side of the rock cliff). It's a popular fishing port and holiday location. We saw where the local fisherman were drying the fish along the shore (and yes that's octopus in the foreground) We had a great fish luncheon provided for us. And we managed some nice weather in between showers.  Then on to Óbidos, a medieval city, now inhabited by about 3100 people. Originally a Roman city, it fell to the Moors in the 700s. Later the city was given to the Queen as a bridal gift from King Dinis. She and the queens that followed were in charge of the city. Most of the city was destroyed in the Lisbon earthquake of 1765, but was later rebuilt. At one point the local nuns starting making a sour cherry liqueur called ginja. The locals now serve it in little chocolate cups.  Oh so good.  
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