Cabo da Roca/Palácio Nacional da Pena/Castelo dos Mouros

Less than ½ an hour by car to the north west of Estoril is the most westerly point on mainland Portugal and continental Europe, Cabo da Roca, Rock Cape.

In this part of Portugal, even on the coast, it is frequently overcast and is windswept and desolate.

This point was the end of the world - as far west as it was possible to go.

The lighthouse was the first purpose built lighthouse in Portugal completed in 1772... 

...although the present version dates from 1842.

From there it was a short drive inland through the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais with incredibly tall trees...

...to the entrance of the Parque e Palácio Nacional da Pena.

From the entrance it was quite a climb to the Palace with some photo opportunities along the way.

At this point I've got to direct you to the website of Sintra Parks and Monuments, CLICK HERE. They have some wonderful photos, better than ours, as well as a great description, part of which I have copied below their photo.

"Located in the Sintra hills, the Park and Palace of Pena are the fruit of King Ferdinand II’s creative genius and the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal, denoting clear influences from the Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture. The palace was built in such a way as to be visible from any point in the park, which consists of a forest and luxuriant gardens with over five hundred different species of trees originating from the four corners of the earth."

Back to our photos, including the one above. As I said at the beginning, it is often overcast in this part of Portugal - the forest and the plants like the humidity but it isn't so good for photos.

The castle is literally fantastic... 

 ...incorporating so many different styles of architecture and it was built before Disney was born! Just a pity it had to be built in such a cold and damp region of the country - maybe they liked it here.

Our tour included the inside rooms, a link here to the video I made where these can be seen in addition to more photos and video taken during the day is HERE.

From the true Romanticist styles of the Palace to the nearby Castelo dos Mouros, the Castle of the Moors, built in the 8th and 9th centuries,...

...which has a 450 metre perimeter across the top of the mountainous cliff.

We were quite lucky with the weather - others have described it as the "misty castle" and "into the clouds".

However, the plants love it there and the hydrangeas were in bloom...

...in a full range of different colours. Another great day out.

Lisbon

When we left Doña Lola on Saturday 27 May we drove north to Almendralejo.

I have told Margaret I would take her to Los Angeles one day and today was the day - Hotel Los Angeles...

...which is a very comfortable and friendly hotel with a good Spanish breakfast.

We walked around the town in the afternoon and saw the 16th century Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Purificación, Church of the Purification...

...as well as the very ornate central square.

Our meal that evening was at the friendly Bodeguita Restaurante Tierra de Vinos with very good food. In the photo above we are with the owner showing us his cape as a bullfighter.

On Sunday we drove into Portugal to Estoril, which is just to the west of  Lisbon, to stay in the delightful Toca dos Grilos with Maria who looked after us so well and produced exquisite breakfasts.

That evening it was raining so we ate at the Restaurante O Forno which was just around the corner. We arrived there at around 18:30 and they explained the restaurant didn't open until 20:00 but they took pity on us and opened to provide a lovely meal. That evening Benfica were playing Vitória de Guimarães in the final of the Taça de Portugal and won 2-1. I was made an honorary fan.

Monday morning, after a wonderful breakfast from Maria, we took the train into Lisbon.

Once again the Jacaranda trees were in blossom...

...and we took the tourist bus to see around the city.

An alternative form of transport which is very popular here is the use of these modern electric powered tuk-tuks called "e-Tuks".

On Tuesday morning we again headed into Lisbon but this time for an excursion on the tourist tram.

The trams have been working in Lisbon since 1873 and the original style ones are still used today, although they are equipped with wi-fi, as well as modern versions running normal services. 

The great advantage of the trams is that they can go up and down the very steep, narrow streets that buses could not.

We got off the tram at the stop for the Castelo de São Jorge, Saint George's Castle, the 11th century Moorish castle...

...which has such a commanding view over the entrance to the port.

Lisbon is a beautiful city, magnificent architecture and open squares yet at the same time with narrow, steep and winding side roads with interesting features.

On the way down the hill via the narrow street from the castle which can only be negotiated by trams, is Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa or Sé de Lisboa, Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major, dating from 1147. It is comprised of several architectural styles having been frequently rebuilt after earthquakes. 

A most interesting couple of days in a beautiful city.

To see the slideshow/video of our visit, click HERE.

Doña Lola

We set off for Mengibar on Friday 19th and checked into a very comfortable hotel, Santa Beatriz de Silva. 

The only things wrong with the hotel was that it was located on the edge of an industrial estate although our room had a lovely view over fields... 

...and secondly, when we got down to breakfast many of the choices had been eaten by other guests and not been replenished.

On Saturday we met up with our friend Alan, now unfortunately on his own as Janet passed away in April, for our customary lunch at his local Chinese restaurant.

It is good to return to our apartment each year with the same view overlooking the swimming pool with the restaurant and the Mediterranean. We have already booked it for 2018.

Again this year as in previous visits to Doña Lola, a highlight was eating traditional British food. Sunday lunch was therefore, of course, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding - a once a year treat!

Another special treat, the next day, was the traditional English breakfast served with HP brown sauce.

Above is the photo of "Margaret in the window" which I have taken every year we have visited for the last 30 years.

On Wednesday we visited Fuengirola and the market there. At this time of year the Jacaranda trees are magnificent.

One of the highlights has to be the evening we have traditional battered cod and chips...

...served with mushy peas at Henleys restaurant - another once a year treat!

Wednesday evening was a special treat...

...which was our evening meal at the La Plaza Beach restaurant by the swimming pool...

...where the very talented singer Lourdes was performing. She even said she remembered us from when we saw her a few years ago!

On Thursday we had the Caminito del Rey trip, you can see the details HERE. On Friday we walked along the beach pathway to La Cala - the photo above shows a guy practicing his rock balancing skills.

Our quest to sample traditional British food would not be complete without a visit to the Indian restaurant where we enjoyed a couple of wonderful curries.

Can't wait for our visit here next year.