Castelo de Vide

Another day, another walk in the Alentejo countryside. 

We started off in the little town of Castelo de Vide. Up to the ridge facing the town, and the chapel, which provided really good views of the town and beyond. 

The weather was also getting interesting. Away to our right the sky was darkening ominously, and ..... what looked remarkably like a tornado seemed to be forming. Surely that cannot be right ?

We left the chapel, turned down a road (no vehicles whatsoever), and then turned off onto another old medieval trail. Approaching Castelo de Vide the clouds were gathering over the town, and there were occasional thunder rumbles. Lots of big barky dogs, fortunately not loose. And bee-eaters, but in view of the obvious need to get to a place of safety before the storm broke, this was no place to pause too long. 

Got to Castelo OK, and straight to the recommended café. Sitting on its covered terrace having a well earned lunch, the storm broke. Thunder, lightening, hail, and heavy rain. But we are dry.

Until we headed out for a little tour, when we got a well deserved soaking. This is not a tourist hub, but is a fascinating place. The old synagogue (now a museum) in the old jewish quarter (the jews were expelled from Portugal 20 years after they were expelled from Spain) is a fascinating place, amazingly well preserved. And the surrounding streets have real atmosphere, even in the wet (extra).

Driving out of Castelo, we were stopped by the local police. Around us the road and fields were white with hailstones. The road was covered in vegetation blown from the trees, and ice. A  heavy mist had formed as it got warmer, so very poor visibility. And the local fire service was out hosing the road down to clear all the material. This had been some storm.