..still heading uphill... Constancia, Portugal...

....in and out of little pathways we went ..and up and down steps....we peeked into all the cute little areas and found all the hidden doorways.  Well, not all by a long shot...but, lots.   Hope we weren't trespassing..but, it seemed to be just a labyrinth of steps and cobble and rockery paths that led up or down.  I think some were shortcuts so the people who lived at the top of the hill could get there quicker.  That was my take anyway.

                                              

       

sometimes just a look up was enough to warrant another photo.
















This door was a bit newer than some ....and I wonder if those newer bricks inserted under the lintel were to allow for more height when placing the new door? .... he got a few extra inches out of it...

There were several places for sale..... where was the agent when we wanted to look inside? ...

Maybe number 3 was the better option...it did have a newer door...

Aha.... some of those road signs I missed whilst walking up... I just had to look back to notice them.  It's definitely got to be organized... because some of the little streets are too tiny to allow two cars to pass each other.  You can see this one is a bit wider...two can pass.... or...even park in front of a house.

Look at the little sailboats designed into the cobblestones on this street.

loved the blue tile works we saw in so many areas...

more cats.... some even had collars...but, all seemed to have the run of the streets... not too many cars to worry about...and I bet they are all pretty savvy...living outdoors most of the time..or perhaps all of it. I don't know for sure...although, come to think of it... I did see one or two looking out of windows.....

A little public courtyard where people gather to visit and catch up with goings on.  The houses are so tiny, I think that is why folks spend a lot of time just walking or visiting in the outdoors.

Some places were just not as kept up as others.....

But, most of it was lovingly cared for..

A few nearer the top had larger areas for yards and gardens... there is probably a story behind it all...but, I'm afraid I don't know it.
This guy had a big yard with orange and lemon trees...some grapes and even an olive tree or two below that...  and a good view of the river in the distance.

No for sale sign on this one.... drat.  Click on the photos to biggify and see more.....

Here's a cute one with an odd shape... and his own palm tree.  That was strange to me.  Palm trees, orange trees...and in the next yard...a pine tree.  It just seemed odd somehow that they all did well in the same environment.

Huh? .... hahahhah.... I was used to seeing cats and even dogs everywhere... but then, up pops a chicken to say hello... on top of a very high stone wall.