Marbled...

Our last full day in Portugal so we visit every hamlet and village. Sâo Miguel de Machede is by passed by main roads but we vote it our favourite Portugese village. Nothing has been built here this century but the few rows of ancient blue and white cottages are all in tip top order. Two old ladies stroll down the middle of the one street taking flowers to both churches. In front of one church a Granny has turned her front room into a cafe. A group of elderly gents wearing flat caps sun themselves on benches outside. They give us directions to places we aren't going to and readily agree to being photographed. Next is the bigger village of Redondo, which we forgive it's uncomfortable long run of cobbles as it has a Grandpa wearing a big floppy straw hat cycling round the white marble fountain and a very colourful shop selling hand made chairs.


We arrive at Alandrial by mistake, but are delighted as it has a castle in the centre and enormous ancient fountain.


Back on track we cycle through an area full of small marble quarries. Vila Vicosa has marble pavements, kerbs, door frames and fountains like all it's neighbours, but also all the municipal seats in the big market square are pink marble (as are the ashtrays in the cafe). All village zebra crossings are now made with pink marble strips laid in the cobbles.
The roadside flowers form mounds of wild sweet peas crowding round cactus in orange flower and miniature poppies amongst aloe Vera. There is no traffic to disturb our view over the plains of long parched grass under olive trees. Elvas is visible from a distance as the 4 arches high aqueduct marches 5 miles across the plains to the hilltop castle and its massive battlements, the rest of the town tumbles down the slopes to another encircling wall.


The moors established the border town and their influence is obviously in the winding narrow streets with arches over. We camp on the outskirts, surprised to be the only customers, stock up at the local Intermarche, eat our dinner of tuna salad at the camp, then head through a city gate to explore.


Miles to date:- 936

Location:Evora to Elvas