Mike in a Convent

Such a full day, difficult to know what to tell on Blip...

This is the convent of St Benedict of Avis, built to house the Military Order, founded in the 12th century, that protected this region, and who then went on to provide the first king of the second dynasty that ruled Portugal between the 14th and the 16th century - D João I, Master of this Order, and married to Philippa of Lancaster, the only English queen of Portugal, and sister to Henry IV.

Can you see M in the middle? Inside is an interesting museum of the Alentejano countryside - we went round saying how we'd used or seen this, that, or the other, implement in Brazil or Africa, no doubt greatly irritating the woman who took us round.

But the highlight of the day has to be the gathering tonight to watch the film Demain, which is, I would say, essential viewing (plus, has a track by Cohen). Then, in typical Portuguese fashion, we ate the most scrumptious food and superb wine (that everyone had brought), and then, when that serious business had been attended to, we started discussing what we should do here in Mora about what we'd seen - it got very heated; at one point, I think everyone there was talking at once. Brilliant. Don't think I've been to anything so animado (as we'd say in Portuguese) since we got here.

Anyway, if you've not seen this film, gather your friends, watch it, and then discuss! with or without food and wine...

Oh, and an extra of some graffitti I couldn't agree with more, and I'd add, your computer and your smart phone - if only it wasn't for Blip!