Loule, Algarve.

A day trip away from the beach area of the Algarve to Loule a small town back from the coast aways.  Not sure what we would find here, we had been told it was worth a visit, so off we go. The photo above is of the market hall, built at the turn of the 19th century its a magnificent building, good market as well.

Very plain looking church, Ruth & co discussing wether it's worth going inside.

What a surprise, who would believe such a plain looking building would be hiding this wonderful interior. This is the main alter of the church.

A side chapel.

Another side chapel.

And another.

This is the town hall.

Wandering around the streets of Loule we came upon this little chapel, quite something!

The ceiling of the chapel.

Part of the old walls of the town.

Some Algarve sights.

From Evora we are off to the Algarve the southern part of Portugal to pay a quick visit to my brother David and his wife Elaine who spending the winter there.  These two shots are showing the beach at Vale do Lobo.

The three of them watching a strange guy with the wrong shoes on struggling to walk on the sand and take photos.

Part of the marina at Vilamoura a few kilometres west of Vale do Loba.  

The fish stall at a local market.

A couple of statues in one of the towns we drove through.

The town of Loule a few kilometres inland.

Interesting things in the grounds of the local museum in Loule

A very interesting place Loule, more photos in my next post.

Evora, Portugal.

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A short flight from Funchal to Lisbon around an hour and a half, pick up the car from the a long stay parking garage and off we go to Evora one of our favorite towns in Portugal. The journey takes us on the long bridge over the River Tagus, motorway all the way getting to Evora in a little less than two hours. The photo shows three of the main sights of Evora, on the left The Convento dos Loios from the 15th. Century. Now a Pousada hotel. In the centre The Templo Romano from the 1st. Century and just to the right The Cathedral built from the 13th. to the 14th. century

Praca de Giraldo the main square. The church of Santo Antaos- Ingreja de Santo Antao at the head of the square.

Praca de Giraldo looking in the other direction.

Some modern sculptures made from the local marble, the quarries are just a few kilometres away from Evora.

One of the many squares in the town.

The main door to the Convento. The hotel uses a door to the side not quite as impressive as this door.

Leaving Funchal

During the carnival celebrations one of the local samba groups came to our apt. complex to entertain us, and what a show they put on.

They got everybody up to dance of course, except me I was hiding behind my camera.

The samba band. The guy with his back to us is the first violinist with the Madeira concert orchestra, slight change of scene from his normal job-setting the time for the samba band-he used a whistle, sounded good and was really loud and I mean LOUD.

They have a bit of a pigeon problem on Madeira, feeding them on the streets of Funchal has been banned. Here at the Royal Savoy they have a more interesting way of moving them on-Hawks. This guy walks around with his buddy who he lets go to chase off the pigeons every now and again. With the majority of the guest being animal loving Brits. The Hawks are trained to chase off, not to kill. God forbid if they where to kill one of the (pesky) harmless pigeons.

Magnificent bird.

This is the weekend fella with his Hawk, coming home after a successful sorte.

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One last shot of the carnival procession in Funchal, with a very brave lady,  or should I say a very brave and proud lady.

Carnival in Funchal

It's carnival time on Madeira,  on our way to the main promenade in Funchal where you watch the parade we had to pass by where they all gather into their groups.

Wonderful costumes and better photo ops. here,  more room and less movement, when they get into the samba beat those feathers become a bit of a blur.

Boys and girls, waiting to get in line.

The temperature is 16c a bit chilly for these girls, not to worry once they get samba-ring down the street they will soon warm up.

We are now at the end of the holding area and the parade is about to start. 9pm Saturday 06/02/16. More to follow.

Obidos

Our last visit in this part of Portugal before we fly off to Madeira on Monday morning for our dose of winter sun; and what a lovely village to round of this section of our trip. The pic. above is the aqueducto used to bring water to the village many centuries past.

The end of the aqueducto in a plaza in the village.

The entrance into the village through the fortified walls.

The road into the village does not run straight through but does a dogleg, I suppose this was for better security.

Once inside lots of little streets and courtyards.

Little churches.

Very attractive houses.

More of the same, bit of a tourist trap but ever such a pretty one.

Top of the village - looks like the remains of Santa's Grotto.

The castle at the very top.

Walking back down through the back streets and alleyways.

Just as pretty as the Main Street.

Looking back, very impressive.

What a great view.

Approaching the main gate to leave the village.

Obidos a beautiful village with a long and rich history, settled by the Celts, Romans and Moors retaken by Alphonso the first king of Portugal in 1148. Scene of a battle in the Peninsula Wars and the meeting place of the April Captains during the Carnation Revolution of 1974.