Estremoz and Evora

Travelled : 90km
Visited:Estremoz and Evora
Stay:Evora- free car park, no services N38.566669 W7.906670

We started the day at the Intermarche 1km from where we stayed last night. We did our washing (machines are in the car park! ) then dumped and got water at the free service point. We also did a bit of shopping and bought fresh salmon at €7.50/kg for dinner. The food is very cheap. Just before we left we also got some fuel at €1.06 but didn't fill up hoping to find it cheaper else where (no success only saw it at €1.14 so far). After having a Skype with Claire and my mum to wish her well for her 70th birthday, we were travelling to Estremoz. On our approach we noticed the marble quarries and we're surprised to find out that Portugal is the world's second largest exporter-90%  500,000 tons a year comes from this area, even Italy buys the stone from them! 

So it was no surprise to find the streets of Estremoz paved in the stuff as well as the main buildings made with it. Later we walk up into the medieval town and admire the first tower we have seen to be completely made from marble. Amazing! 

But before our walk there we strolled around the weekly bric-a-brac market and couldn't resist buying a bell and tasting the local delicacy. 

On our walk up to the tower we also saw the chapel built for Dona Isabel,  wife of King Dinis,  who died here in 1336. 

Then down the hill we went back to Bluey and on to the next town Evora.  If the amount of tour buses is any indication, it is fairly popular with the tourists. So having found a spot amongst other motorhomes,  we were off into the walled city for an explore. 

We made our way to the main square and from here went to visit the cathedral made of granite. 

We were encouraged to take the full visit ticket at €4 which along with the cathedral included the cloister, the roof and the museum. We can never resist a visit on the roof! So up we went, the thighs had just recovered from the last tower visit, to admire the lovely dome and the panoramic views. 

As we were looking about the cathedral we noticed young people with their families and friends gathering for mass. They had a folder of large coloured ribbons. We found out that it was for their graduation and people had written congratulatory notes on the ribbons for them. After a bit more of a wonder we made our way to the  gruesome Chapel of Bones which was lined with the remains of 5,000 monks. 

On a lighter note the museum that is included in the €3 ticket, had a lovely display of nativity scenes from around the world. 

Having worked up a thirst we thought we would try a Portuguese beer but felt truly had when we had to fork over €6. Oh well, as the saying goes 'you win some and you loose some!' On the way back to Bluey we had a walk through the park and visited the Palace there with its beautiful marble staircase and then called it a day.  

Today's door knocker. Wish I had bought a key at the market.