Mor Montemor

(yeah the title's very corny but hey Im crap at them - you know I normally cant even think of a subject for my emails)

Montemor - my "place" is the 6 palm trees in the middle foreground

Sunday was a shiny day so I went up to the castle and wandered around up there. This is where I should have lots of history about Montemor and its Castle .... hmm yes sadly lacking. Lots of loose stats about the place on the net so thank you http://viajar.clix.pt/en/dst3239.php?lg=en and www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/ for the text but my photos are better than theirs :) Actually Montemor's really good for tourists as theres little silver plaques with tourist info on attached to all the sights and the different squares but as Im a local I have to go and read them at night when no-ones looking, wouldnt want people thinking Im a tourist!

• The town of Montemor-o-Novo was the birthplace of São João de Deus (St. John of God), born in 1495 and founder of the Order of Brothers Hospitallers which since then has followed his example of caring for the sick and the poor. His name was given to the central square where the 17th-century Mother Church rises, which preserves the font where the saint was baptized. Wouldnt say it was central, and certainly not big but a very pretty square, one of my favourite places

• The former Convent of São Domingos now lodges the Archaeological Museum with local finds and also old agricultural implements. The town's public fountain, ressembling an altar, is equally worth admiring. Havent been to the museum, as for the fountain theres actually two of them, both are worth admiring (the one they talk about is all marble), but neither are worthy of a photo here

• It was fortified by the Romans and Moors and reconquered by the Christians in the 13th century, but only ruins remain of its hilltop castle. Here Vasco da Gama finalised plans for his epic voyage, which culminated in the discovery of the sea route to India. I would have thought it would be better to finalise plans for a sea voyage near the sea…..

• Otherwise, Montemor-o-Novo is one of the largest counties of Portugal, an important centre for the production of cork, grain, olive-oil, cattle and wines. AND SOON TO BE GOLD!!!!

I took heaps of photos as usual and cos Blogger only lets me do 5 at a time I have to split them over a couple of posts so Ive divided them into "normal" touristy photos, and "arty" shots where Im trying to be all creative ‘n’ stuff. So which sort did you go for? Im sure it says something about you.... or are you just a greedy bloggee like me and want to see it all and more!!!

Theres a road which runs the whole way around the hill just below the castle which will be a good walking track in summer - for those interested in my health and well-being its about 20 minutes a lap. Another reason I can put off going to the gym or rugby - very bloody slack.

Ironically the day after I write “mind the Hundschiesse” on the log I step in some :(

The Portuguese seems to have a habit of driving to nice spots like near the castle or the riverside in Lisbon and sitting in their cars to relax and read the paper, or have a smoke. I passed a guy parked on the road near the castle who looked like he was doing his accounts in the car?! Guess it means you get some fresh air without the chance of being rained on.