Farewell Monte and Clara

It was with great sadness that we bid farewell to this wonderful place created so lovingly by Clara. When we were here last year, our first time visiting, we vowed we would come back and stay longer so we had three nights this time enjoying the peacefulness, the beauty of the surrounding countryside so close to the sea that we walked to it along ancient paths used by fishermen.

After another breakfast fit for a king we said a sad goodbye to Clara, made even more tearful when she told us of her illness and treatments she was starting, spoken in a positive way that made us hope that whatever comes to her in the in the months to come, we hope it's successfully treated and we will meet her again in the future.

We were heading north, staying a night on a cork farm near Grandola, the north east of the Alentejo. First though, we Stopped off in Vila Nova de Milfontes where we stayed two years ago and walked to the headland overlooking the sea for a sit down . On way back a weird incident happened as we turned into a side road this battered corsa slowed down next to me and the passenger showed me a slice of pineapple he had been eating and asked if I wanted to buy a slice- I don't think he understood the gruffness of the Scottish accent in my reply but did he think that seriously someone would lean over for the pineapple in order he could grab whatever he could???

Off we went driving along quiet country roads for around 1.5 hours and arrived at our destination which was again a stunning property. We thought it was like the High Chapparall the tv prog in the 70s with the very stylish and beautiful older lady owner who met us and showed us around just like Lady Victoriain the series:). Our room was amazing as everything was made of cork with an enormous bed in a massive room. There were a few apartments set round the pool and behind us was open fields dotted with beautiful cork trees. She explained the history of the farm and how the cork is harvested each tree stripped half way up the trunk every 10 years then the last figure of the year painted on. There was a series of graded walks round the vast estate and we decided to walk one taking us through beautiful fields and up hills seeing old cottages formerly used by workers on the estate. It was lovely that we were joined by Zoura one of the estate dogs! Took us an hour and then we chilled by the pool till I was joined on my subbed by Barney the Bernese puppy a great big ball of fluff.

We had an unsuccessful trip to Grandola for some food finally giving up and sitting in the grand sitting room of the farm for a toastie and salad.

We had the best sleep of the holiday never stirring in that massive bed in the quiet surroundings.