Tuesday, July 27 (re: Monday July 6) 8:30am Monte Branco – near Monsaraz, Portugal
We are now at Monte Branco- very different than Buarcos! We are back in time to the basics. Although the place is retrofit with water & power, the farmhouse is still very rustic. Lots of slate – the counters and floors – that is well worn. The fireplace on the wall is very large (10ft x 3ft?) with the round chimney stack above. The place is quite dark – but very dry also, so not “dank”.
Once again, the sugar cannot be found – it’s in the fridge! There are many ant which causes problems in F. da F. and even more so here. So the sugar is in the fridge.
Yesterdays trip was an adventure.
We headed down on a minor road to cut over to the A1. Of course that is where the car died. It just stopped running. It would not restart at first. We waited a bit (concerned about what to do of course – and Marucia & GL are off in their own car, so not translator) and it started. We found a
little shop which had everything from motor oil to bread and cheese. They had a phone so we phoned the main rental office but with no luck. We had to call RainHaus Tours out of Lisbon – no answer – so we tried the local agent in Liera – which was line busy of fax answering only.
Sorry….back to writing…..I keep getting distracted and looking for where Mike & I can stay for our 2 nights away.
Okay – so we had no luck phoning. So we had to drive into Liera and find the rental firm office. So first to the tourist info – Mike dropped me then had to find a parking spot – a driving nightmare of one way streets and no spots. Finally after 20 minutes he picked me back up. Tourismo had given me the wrong directions, but another kind gentleman helped out. Alrenta was the place we had to find. Also found out that Bank of Portugal is ONLY in Porto, Lisboa, and Coimbra! Hopefully we can change at a hotel/Pousada.
We finally found the rental outlet. They had NO replacement cars available, but after our suggestion of a refund, they found a Peugot 406. Luxury – sun roof and all. But it will suck more gas.
We finally arrived here about 5pm – stopped at a shopping mall (33E) and had some ice cream in the car right out of the tub (bought 4 spoons :-).
The boys and I had a swim, Mike had a nap. Had a glass of wine with the owner and her friend who is looking at buying a farm around here.
We went for dinner at 7ish up to Monsarez. Amazing town – all walled in – you have to park and walk into the town as there are no cars. Sat on the patio overlooking the country side – wonderful view!