An Alqueva Island

The company that built the Alqueva dam demanded the right to own all the islands that would be created, so folk were forced to move out of their homes - such as this one at Estrela. Total peace and stillness while we were there, except for a bluetit in the holm oak pictured, doing its squeaky gate sound.

Took our guests round the bottom of the Lake to see the dam and then up to their train at Évora. And so to Lisbon, sleeper to Hendaye on the Spanish border, then TGV to Paris, followed by Eurostar - they should be home in Sutton by midnight tomorrow.

Gratefuls:
- Jolyon and Rachel being such great, grateful guests
- lunch at our outside table in sun so hot we had to create shade
- Paul still here with us