Fai Tira still in Vila Real De Santo Antonio 37:11.70N 7:24.79W
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Fai Tira Blog
Tuesday 06/10/09 Fai Tira
still in Vila Real De Santo Antonio 37:11.70N 7:24.79W During
the morning I received a text from John in England to tell me his close
relative had died in the night. Commiserations to him and his family. Video Diary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMp8cvStq7E I
woke up this yesterday with intentions to getting some more jobs done. I had
previously erected the Bimini and now need to clear the bilges out in the rear
cabin. We had taken on a bit of water a couple of times during our trip across
Biscay and saltwater had immersed some of the baked bean cans. These cans had
gone rusty and had exploded into the bilge. So I was wiping up a cocktail of
salty baked beans. Cooked up they tasted lovely. (Only joking). After this I
hovered right through Fai Tira and cleaned the floors.
Fai Tira all nice and
clean. Villa
Real promenade. After
lunch I decided to got my bike out and went for a ride. The cycle track took
me along the coast through lovely wooded countryside which occasionally diverted
to deserted beaches.
Deserted
beach Monte Gordo
beach full of old crincklies. I
carried on for about four miles until I reached concrete hell of Monte Gordo.
A purpose built resort of hotels, shops and eating establishments. I found a
nice beach bar and had a quick beer before diverting out of the town “if
you could call it that”. The only saving grace was the local fishing
fleet that was pulled up onto the beach. The fishermen were sat mending their
nets in the hot afternoon sun. I saw a truck and decided to trade Fai Tira in
and travel the world in her!! Only joking again.
Fishing
fleet pulled up on the beach by tractors. Mending
the nets. Pete’s
next toy!!!!!! (sorry Judy) I
headed off in the direction of a town with two large castles called Castro
Marim. http://www.castromarimuncovered.com/
Castro Marim has, historically, been an important town because of its position
near the banks of the Guadiana and its proximity to the coast. The remains of
the first settlements in the area date from about 5000BC and it is thought
likely that at this time the town was an island surrounded by shallow waters.
For thousands of years it was a port that offered shelter to the ships that
sailed the Guadiana collecting metals and other wares from Alcoutim and was
also connected to Lisbon by a Roman road that ran parallel to the river.
Old
wind mill Old Pete!! The
new Castle from the old. Inside
the old castle. It has also
been important strategically in the defence of the Algarve. During the 14th
century the soldiers of the 'Order of Christ,' who replaced the Knights
Templar, had their headquarters in Castro Marim. At the time the border dispute
with Castile was ongoing and the castle was very well positioned with views
across the countryside in all directions and particularly across the Rio
Guadiana. It fell into disuse when it was replaced by new fortifications in the
17th century - the fort of São Sebastião, on the opposite hill above the
town.
View of salt pans from old castle. View
of river from new castle. View
of old castle from new castle.
After
a quick tour of the two castles I then a ride back to Fai Tira for dinner and a
DVD. Bye for now.
Pete, |
