Angela and Roland's European Adventure: Wednesday 22nd March

We arrived at Camping Alentejo having driven north from the Algarve through a landscape that became ever greener. Angela immediately warmed to the site as the small reception had a full wall of book shelves containing books available for free loan, with a comfy chair and standard lamp adding to the homely atmosphere. The owner is not Portuguese but has lived here for thirty years and his wife is Portuguese. Initially, we were uncertain as to whether he was Dutch or German but seeing him wheeling his barrow around the site in a pair of wooden clogs left us in no doubt. He is a very nice man and knows how to run a campsite (as do most Netherlanders). Although we were aware that this area is renowned for it's marble, we were still surprised to find that we were pitched on marble chippings. This was a first and, whilst we agreed with the owner that it is much cleaner than gravel or stone chippings, we'd be surprised if it would be a cost effective surface in any other area.

Our baby caravan at the campsite

Camp site: A cork oak partially stripped of bark

Evora Monte Castle

We drove the couple of miles into the small village of Evora Monte. In the centre of the village is a square with a children's playground and also what looked like a large bus shelter. It was open fronted and, inside, had a bench around the three sides and two square tables fixed to the ground. It soon became apparent that this is where the elderly local men meet to play cards. There were about half a dozen playing cards this afternoon, with several others looking on. It seems that wherever we've been in Europe there are always opportunities for the elderly (admittedly, usually men) to get out and meet each other. This seems such a contrast to England where so many of our elderly seem to be isolated and lonely. Surely it can't just be because of the climate? This afternoon was wet and quite cold but they were still out in their shelter.

We took the steep drive up to Evora Monte Castle Keep. By the time we got to the top of the ridge it was howling a gale and hail-stoning. At 481 meters up and with no discernible edge to the road at the top, we really thought the car might blow away. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we were the only visitors. What a very strange and lonely job the cashier at the entrance has at this time of year, being the sole occupant of this enormous medieval keep.

Evora Monte Castle Keep

View from Evora Monte Castle Keep

Estremoz

Estremoz is the town that's famous for it's marble and they don't mind advertising the fact by using it at every opportunity in buildings, pavements, shop floors etc. This is a nice little town with many individual shops and eateries.