Travelling north, we left the heavy rains of Spain and Portugal's Algarve behind us. With no hurry, we passed along the many small, winding roads, enjoying the scenery.
This little church sits atop a hill with its grizzly history close to Castro Verde.
It commemorates the Battle of Ourique on 25th July 1139.
Outside the church is a mural depicting the battle.
Stunning wildflowers carpeted the countryside.
Corn Buntings adorned fenceposts.
We passed through small villages and towns taking on supplies; here in Portel an excellent baker, and the Pastel de nata was superb!
In Alter do Chão we had been sitting in the shade enjoying coffee before we visited the
Alta Real Stud.
This astounding SStud is the birthplace of the Alter-Real Lusitano breed of horses,
which have been bred here since its foundation in 1748 by King João V.
We enjoyed watching a training session, where some young stallions were put through their paces before a full tour of the Stud.
For Linda, this was to be the highlight of our trip through Portugal, as she loves the Lusitano and Spanish Andalusian breeds.
The thirty or so stallions are housed in this magnificent old building,
that echoes their snorting testosterone.
In an altogether more tranquil setting, the sixty breeding mares and their foals rest,
on deep straw, away from the heat of the day.
They are turned out to roam on the fields at night, to enjoy the grass and the freedom.
There is also an exciting carriage museum housing many types of carriages.
We enjoyed a fantastic afternoon here among those beautiful horses and hope to return,
perhaps to the annual auction held on or around 24th April.
The road through the Serra de São Mamede became a little testing!
Almond blossoms lined the many small roads we explored, twisting over the countryside.
A local fisherman unloads his catch of freshwater fish below the castle at Juromenha,
on the Rio Guadiana.
Most of the catch had been Carp and Zander.
Further upriver, House Martin's are busy nest building, beaks full of the wet mud.
This old bridge is an excellent House and Crag Martins nesting site.
Mimosa, with its delicate fern-like leaves blooming yellow all around us.
Also bright yellow, the male Siskins are busy singing and looking for mates.
Happy travels!
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