Tuesday 12 August
Started the day with a pleasant walk into Rato for coffee and then back to the hotel to check out.
We decided to try and find a building q had seen on the Dezeen website but the navigation app sent us in the totally wrong direction… Leaving us not much time to visit Lost In before leaving Lisbon for now.
Lost In sells mostly silk clothing and other items from India as well as having a cafe attached to it (which we will have to try when we return to Lisbon next week) that over looks the Botanic Garden and the Avenida da Liberdade.
By 1pm we were on our way north.
First stop was for lunch in the medieval town of Obidos. This old walled town has an annual Mediaval Faire in July – they were still in the process of taking down some of the temporary stalls that are set up in a special market section of the town.
After lunch we walked almost all around the town taking photos and peeking over garden walls.
Heading up the A8 to Marinha Grande we arrived just in time to gain last entry to the glass museum there. Stunning examples of blown, cut and ground glass are displayed in what used to be the grand house of William Stephens.
Next we drove up the A1 to Ega and our next bed at Paço de Ega. A very pleasant place to stay with a very helpful owner. The building dates from the medieval period and was once a Templar Monastery. Added to in the 17th Century it has recently been further renovated and made into a guest house hotel. Period style furniture mixed with modern bathing conveniences and a fine dining room give an understated elegance to the venue.
We arrived late during the dinner hour and she was gracious and welcoming. Her recommendation of a restaurant in Coimbra where Fado is sung was welcome. And we enjoyed some lovely food and coffee as we listened to local Fado.
On the drive back to Ega we passed through Corto’s home village and he pointed out local landmarks.
Our first night in peaceful Ega was ended in the morning by being awakened by the sound of explosions…. It turns out that Wednesday was a Festival day in Ega and the small mortars set off are traditional methods to mark the start of a festival day.
Laura's Lusitanian Vampire Adventure 