This morning we left Casa Vinhao, where we've been for the last five nights. This photo shows the sitting area of the house, which was a fantastic place to have stayed.

_02A1099 As Jan was out walking her dogs, she stopped by to say good bye.

_02A1095 These photos I took shortly after we left Gracieira.

_02A1106 _02A1109 We headed east on the Auto Estrata (the motorway). The skies were extremely hazy for a long while, so the photo ops were not good.

As we drove east, the landscape changed. First we were in an agricultural region, then into forests where there has been much clearing and then replanting, and then into hilly terrain. We eventually exited the motorway.

_02A1118 Our destination was Marvao, near the border with Spain.

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We stopped at Castelo de Vide for lunch, where we each had a very tasty mini pizza - perfect!

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Guess who had the mini beer?

_02A1145 Trying to find our way to Marvao, our GPS was sending us here - the wrong way on a one-way street through which our car would not fit.

So we backtracked and asked a family who was picking chestnuts for directions, and we were eventually on our way.

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We followed this road, and then turned and began an uphill climb on a narrow road.

_02A1177 We arrived at our destination, Marvao, a fortified hilltop village.

Here are some scenes in Marvao.

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I think Rick should trade up for this work truck - perfect for Manitoulin.

And for those of you who have been wondering if there are any old churches in Portugal, here you are.

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This is Igreja (church)  Santiago de Marvao, originating from 1321.

_02A1210 As darkness descended, the fog rolled in. And so we rolled into bed (after a little wine).