Marvao

It's only day 5, but, can you believe how much we have done and seen already?  And, it's not like we are racing around all over the place.  We get up fairly late... enjoy our breakfast and decide where to go for the day and then head out.
Today, a castle at Marvao.  A few hours drive from Entroncamento.  However, it is pretty picturesque driving; not just racing along on a freeway, so it takes time to get anywhere.  Narrow roads... lots to see... passing through towns where the house doorways are right up against the traffic again.  Even the main roads and secondary highways are lined with trees.

This group had wide white stripes painted on them... unsure why.....but, perhaps it's fluorescent... maybe night time advisement of them being that close to the road? ...

..and we need to stop here and there of course... like every time we see something different or interesting.  And...just because we can.

...A water fountain. Safe for drinking.... it said so right on it.......

...and just below and behind.... an old, huge, clothes washing facility.  Yep.... a bit different than our fancy washers.  Those poor little old Portuguese ladies..... and it looks like this one is still in use.  I'm sure glad I'm me.

Fortress ....high on a hillside...

You can drive right inside the castle walls at Marvao ..into the little town and parking.... but, ... only one car at a time so somebody has to yield, or.... back up...

whoa...... that's a lot of steps!!  ..and, no railing ...hahhaha...I will be leaning on the wall all the way up and back down again... oh, whew....we didn't go up that way.....

All the little buildings whitewashed ....tile roofs everywhere ..... some were sparkling as though they had just been done..others ..in various areas were being worked on... a lot of upkeep and it's ongoing.

Barely wide enough for a vehicle... you actually had to dodge into a doorway or flatten yourself against the buildings if one drove past.

See... plenty of room to duck into... wide doorsills.... although, not very high..so watch your noggin!

Some fruit tees were in bloom...

Walkways, parapets and battlements all around the castle.... we walked all around the whole place..up and down steps ...  in and out of walls and pill boxes .... it was great.

You could see for miles in every direction.  Those dudes were pretty clever when it came to building a fortress....nobody was sneaking up on these guys...

hey look....a golf course, ... waaaaay down there.  I'm sure of it.

I don't know if they would have kept a little well manicured garden area..but, who knows?  "Milady" may have enjoyed some sun out here...
















We walked around the whole perimeter of the castle and grounds....

Okay...we laughed our heads off at this.  The cannon was pointed directly at a tiny door at the base of the wall.  We couldn't decide if it was to blast the enemy if he got that close, which would definitely have done damage to the castle ..or to give any deserters a thwack..which still would have done damage.  Maybe somebody just had a warped sense of humour...

Aimed directly at this cute little door.  Maybe we weren't supposed to wonder why they chose to put it in that spot...the cannon...not the door, although, come to think of it...what was that little door for anyway?

after plenty of wandering around in and out of every nook and cranny, we headed back downhill.... in need of sustenance.....
Oh, look....more tiny doors.  I'm 5 foot 2..... and this door is arched.... I still come to the top!

Come on!  Look at his one.  Almost as wide as it is high!

Hey...Padaria.  I'm sure that means bakery.  Where are some of those great buns? ......don't smell anything baking..... darn it...

more doors and doorways...

okay.. even I'm starting to laugh at myself... ... ...I have a thing about doors....
.

A wonderful little restaurant...right in the town centre... a great meal...exceptional service... yummy pork and veal.. and my introduction to migas.  A side dish made with cornbread crumbs and kale.  Maria seemed surprised that I liked it.  And..now..I'm obsessed with making some of my own.

You know how I love little donkeys.... and look, they had a special place to park one.... not far from the restaurant... near the carpark.

time to go.... that narrow road ... out this time.  Can almost  touch the houses ... I had to sprint to catch up..