Our destination for the day is Lamego, Portugal, in the Douro Valley. Our first stop in route to Portugal was Ponte de Lima where we were supposed to walk part of the Portuguese El Camino. Unfortunately, it was raining so we shortened our walk. We did get to cross a very old bridge.
An estuary in Spain where they farm mussels.
Ponte de Lima
Igreja de Santo Antonio da Torre Velha is a 19th century reformation of an ancient chapel.Inside the chapelAccording to a legend, in Roman times, a Roman officer tried to get his troops to cross the river, but they refused because they were concerned that they would lose their memories. There’s some river in Rome that legend has it that you would lose your memory if you crossed it. The soldiers felt the same thing would happen here in Portugal. So the officer crossed the river and called out to each of his soldiers by name to prove to them that he did not lose his memory. The statue is here by the river to commemorate that legend.
Our next stop in Portugal was the charming medieval city of Guimaraes. Guimaraes is considered the birthplace of Portugal because Alfonso Henrique’s, who went on to be the first independent king of Portugal, was born here in 1110. We visited a 10th century fortified castle that was built to protect inhabitants against frequent raids by Vikings from the north and the Moors from the south. The castle was ordered to be built by the Countess Mumadona Dias.
Alfonso Henriques Church of S. Miguel Do Costelo dating back to 1216 CEOur first look at a cork tree
From the castle, we went on to visit the Ducal Palace of the Braganca which was built for Alfonso, the first Duke of Braganca in the first quarter of the 15th century.
Hall of Lost Steps which served as a waiting roomThis chamber connects the hall of lost steps to the banquet hall. ArmouryBanquet HallBedchamber Private dining chamber ChapelAnother view of the ChapelSculptures by Paulo NevesConvent
Street scenes
Main square
Our lunch consisted of grilled shrimp, fried octopus and a wonderful fresh salad. To accompany lunch, we had cerveza. 
More street scenes as we walk back to the bus after lunch. 
The view from our window at the hotel in Lamego. We are now in the Douro Valley, a major wine producing area and the home of port wine.
We were taken by bus to have a dinner in town and on the way we made a stop at a church up on a hill overlooking the town.
Church was built in the 18th century in the rococo style Our appetizer at dinner which included this delightful goat cheese in olive oil on toasted bread. We also have a salad and some jamon (Spanish for ham).
RobbieLambertsTravels 
Thank you,Robbie!
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