Monsaraz

We were treated to a visit at a hostelry, hotel and restaurant near Monsaraz (Town in photo), which had been renovated, creating a very tasteful and upmarket destination called São Lourenço do Barrocal.  We started with coffee, on the terrace, and then embarked on a long walk around the grounds, where many plots of land had been earmarked for developing homes, with all the amenities already laid on, and apparently all the plots have now been sold.  We walked for seven kilometers, that's 12,000 steps for those who might be counting, which was just as well considering the good lunch we consumed at the end of it.  See extra for 2 of our fellow blippers on the walk in the countryside.

Once we got home, it was time for a nap, though I made a mistake of listening to a talk and didn't actually get any nap time.  But the cup of tea following was very welcome along with discussions on a variety of minor issues such as assisted suicide, LGBTQ+, and many ethical dilemmas we face as humans and how they are impacted by faith.

This has been a really enjoyable and restful time, with a good balance of humour and seriousness, good food, drink and even some exercise.  Much needed in this very pleasant and surprisingly unseasonably cool weather.  I think we were probably cooler than the UK today.