![Picture](https://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Thursday 30 June
Rose and breakfasted and successfully called for a taxi, which arrived in good time and had us at the bus station at Sete Rios by 9:45am. Cost was 13 euro, and all of the luggage fitted. The driver was a jolly guy, who chattered to us without really caring how much we understood.
Bus came and we boarded and left on time or thereabouts. We travelled south, getting a good view of the Aqueduct of Free Waters, then across the 25 Abril Bridge, providing fine views of Lisbon and of Belem (particularly Torre de Belem). Passing the southern suburbs of Lisbon, the route turned east, bypassing Setubal, and stopping briefly at the bus station at Montemor-o-Novo, where there were views of the large castle.
Arrived at just after noon, and snagged a taxi to take us into town. Taxi trip took us into the walled town, past the aqueduct (into which houses are built in parts) and met Maria at the house, which is very nice indeed. It is cool inside, though the sun is hot. After settling in, we went in search of lunch, choosing Restaurante A Baiuca, which served local Alentejo style cuisine. Choices included Pork with bread and asparagus mash, seafood with rice, veal with a tomato based sauce, and garlic prawns. Chose to keep the sheep cheese and bread for a change. House Red wine good too. Reasonable prices too, and a glass of a sweet syrupy almond liqueur (amarguinha) with the bill.
Walked of meal with a visit to the centre of town. Columns of the roman temple stand on a high square, in front of the cathedral. It was a hot walk though. The streets are narrow, the houses whitewashed, with ochre yellow trim, and green doors. We got supplies at a local grocery on the way back. Settled on a protein free meal tonight.
Had a chance to see the Roman Bath found under the Municipal offices, and also the aqueduct on a couple of strolls later on. Also walked the town in the evening to view the floodlit Roman Temple columns, and check out the locals nervously watching Portugal play Poland in the Euro soccer (eventually won on penalties).
Friday 1 July
Surprisingly, the day dawned cloudy. After a light breakfast it was time for a walk around the town in the pleasantly cool morning air. Made our way to the main square, passing the remnant Roman Gate en route. Spent some time in the wide arcaded main square, Plaça Giraldo, then via the monster surmounted pediment and colonnade of Graça church, to San Francisco Church. The entry fee to the church and ‘bone chapel’ was 3 euro, and included a well set out religious art gallery, and also a somewhat bizarre collection of nativity scenes from Portugal, and around the world.
Sat in the municipal garden, then made our way to the Evora University, below Espiritu Santu Church. It is an operating University, with classes proceeding in the historic rooms, lined with blue and white azulejos, and with columns, vaults and even pulpits in situ. The rooms were filled with seats, a blackboard, and overhead projector! We found the impressive original library, with its painted ceiling, ther ‘Octagon’, a corridor intersection with azulejo panels representing the four ancient elements, and the ‘Great Hall’, a double level chapel.
Lunch was taken at Cervajiera Lusitana, a very large pasticceria and restaurant off Praça Giraldo. The chips accompanying our meals were a highlight. The local cheese pastries are good too. Moderately priced at less than 15 euros a couple.
Next stop was the Se Cathedral. I went in for a look at the tall gothic interior, and went up the tower, and into the cloister for good views over the town. Afterwards, I took a detour back to Graça church, now that the afternoon sun lit up the façade.
After a rest in the heat of the afternoon, I set out with Ooq and Dita to map the route to Praça Giraldo (for taxi searching on departure tomorrow), and for another look at the aqueduct in the evening light. On the way back we bought bread and cheese pastries at a bakery, and then charcoal chicken at the restaurant Café Porte D’Avis on the Largo. Bargain for the chicken – 5.25 euro for a whole chicken, chopped up with admirable despatch. Unfortunately, the grocery stores were closed, so we ate bread with salad with the very tasty chicken. Meantime, on TV Wales upset Belgium in the Euro soccer, which was a pleasing result.
Our taxi is booked for 8:20am tomorrow morning, so packing is required tonight.
Rose and breakfasted and successfully called for a taxi, which arrived in good time and had us at the bus station at Sete Rios by 9:45am. Cost was 13 euro, and all of the luggage fitted. The driver was a jolly guy, who chattered to us without really caring how much we understood.
Bus came and we boarded and left on time or thereabouts. We travelled south, getting a good view of the Aqueduct of Free Waters, then across the 25 Abril Bridge, providing fine views of Lisbon and of Belem (particularly Torre de Belem). Passing the southern suburbs of Lisbon, the route turned east, bypassing Setubal, and stopping briefly at the bus station at Montemor-o-Novo, where there were views of the large castle.
Arrived at just after noon, and snagged a taxi to take us into town. Taxi trip took us into the walled town, past the aqueduct (into which houses are built in parts) and met Maria at the house, which is very nice indeed. It is cool inside, though the sun is hot. After settling in, we went in search of lunch, choosing Restaurante A Baiuca, which served local Alentejo style cuisine. Choices included Pork with bread and asparagus mash, seafood with rice, veal with a tomato based sauce, and garlic prawns. Chose to keep the sheep cheese and bread for a change. House Red wine good too. Reasonable prices too, and a glass of a sweet syrupy almond liqueur (amarguinha) with the bill.
Walked of meal with a visit to the centre of town. Columns of the roman temple stand on a high square, in front of the cathedral. It was a hot walk though. The streets are narrow, the houses whitewashed, with ochre yellow trim, and green doors. We got supplies at a local grocery on the way back. Settled on a protein free meal tonight.
Had a chance to see the Roman Bath found under the Municipal offices, and also the aqueduct on a couple of strolls later on. Also walked the town in the evening to view the floodlit Roman Temple columns, and check out the locals nervously watching Portugal play Poland in the Euro soccer (eventually won on penalties).
Friday 1 July
Surprisingly, the day dawned cloudy. After a light breakfast it was time for a walk around the town in the pleasantly cool morning air. Made our way to the main square, passing the remnant Roman Gate en route. Spent some time in the wide arcaded main square, Plaça Giraldo, then via the monster surmounted pediment and colonnade of Graça church, to San Francisco Church. The entry fee to the church and ‘bone chapel’ was 3 euro, and included a well set out religious art gallery, and also a somewhat bizarre collection of nativity scenes from Portugal, and around the world.
Sat in the municipal garden, then made our way to the Evora University, below Espiritu Santu Church. It is an operating University, with classes proceeding in the historic rooms, lined with blue and white azulejos, and with columns, vaults and even pulpits in situ. The rooms were filled with seats, a blackboard, and overhead projector! We found the impressive original library, with its painted ceiling, ther ‘Octagon’, a corridor intersection with azulejo panels representing the four ancient elements, and the ‘Great Hall’, a double level chapel.
Lunch was taken at Cervajiera Lusitana, a very large pasticceria and restaurant off Praça Giraldo. The chips accompanying our meals were a highlight. The local cheese pastries are good too. Moderately priced at less than 15 euros a couple.
Next stop was the Se Cathedral. I went in for a look at the tall gothic interior, and went up the tower, and into the cloister for good views over the town. Afterwards, I took a detour back to Graça church, now that the afternoon sun lit up the façade.
After a rest in the heat of the afternoon, I set out with Ooq and Dita to map the route to Praça Giraldo (for taxi searching on departure tomorrow), and for another look at the aqueduct in the evening light. On the way back we bought bread and cheese pastries at a bakery, and then charcoal chicken at the restaurant Café Porte D’Avis on the Largo. Bargain for the chicken – 5.25 euro for a whole chicken, chopped up with admirable despatch. Unfortunately, the grocery stores were closed, so we ate bread with salad with the very tasty chicken. Meantime, on TV Wales upset Belgium in the Euro soccer, which was a pleasing result.
Our taxi is booked for 8:20am tomorrow morning, so packing is required tonight.