Destination -- Colares! We set out to see somewhere new. M and I had not been there before. Are we there yet??? No, but we are in Penedo-Aldeira do Espirito Santo (=Penedo-Small town of the Holy Spirit) -- an adorable little town. Up, up atop the hills, no, not Colares yet. We will get there. Beautiful pine trees and lots of green landscape! Huge homes on hillsides overlooking green valleys and the castle of Sintra on a distant hill. Down the windy road toward the sea. Colares? No, just drove through Almocageme.
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Entering Penedo |
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| Looking to the Sea |
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| Penedo Centro Historico (town center) |
Here we are -- Colares? No, not yet, but in Azehas do Mar (=Cliffs by the Sea). What a place - perfect for vacationing by the sea! The beaches and waves are inviting even on these quiet days of the winter. Today was a Portuguese holiday (December 1 - the restoration of the monarchy of Portugal from the Spanish.), all is pretty quiet in these small towns. In years past, this was a busy bustling place in the summer months, Portuguese families coming to soak up the sun and surf the waves. Until now, "the summer place to vacation" is to head to the south, the Algarve region, for summer sun and fun. To us, this looked ideal to spend some lazy relaxing summer days.
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| Azehas do Mar |
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| Lunch by the Sea |
Lunch in a small restaurant overlooking the beach and sea was quiet, relaxed and encouraged conversation about family, church, friends and .... life's joys and disappointments. A typical meal of beef or fish, french fries and salad. The mushroom sauce covering my beef was delicious. Very simple, yet tasty!
After lunch we headed to Colares -- are we there? Finally! So small, so quaint. Colares has sandy soil and therefore produces its own special wine. We stopped at a farmers fruit and vegetable market on the side of the road - incredible winter vegetables!!! Next stop -- a cafe and pastry for dessert in a small local pastelaria. And what good fortune -- a little shop next door for some Christmas browsing and shopping. The men solved the world's problems over another galao (coffee) while we girls went next door.
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| Colares Farmers Market |
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| Colares vineyards |
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| Colares Winery |
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Colares  |
I don't think we really ever knew exactly what town we were in as they all run together. They all contained roads that were barely wide enough for two cars to pass each other, older men that sit and pass away the afternoons visiting with each other on benches in the "town centers", cafes that serve pastries and coffees to people as they come about 4:00 p.m. each day, and old OLD stone houses that stand right next to the very new ones. Today we enjoyed seeing what I often imagined Portugal "to look like."
This day was spent with good friends. This day was a good gift from the Lord!
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