May 30th ~ Idanha-a Velha – Orbitur site near lake

Sunday dawned clear and sunny – another scorcher predicted @ 33C . We drove to Belver Castle high above the river Tejo, one of the most famous in Portugal. The Castle dates from the 12th Century, when the Portuguese frontier stood at the Tejo. Unfortunately, the Castle was closed for restoration. However, the locals were friendly, one showing us where we could park and we had a coffee in the square. The same guy then told us where to get the best pic of the castle and river and also said we could sleep in the van in the square. Another local whispered to us that he was a very important man - Junta! – possibly the Mayor?!

After a shaking of hands all round, and his apologies about the ‘obras’ (work) on the castle, we made our excuses and drove on to Castelo Branco. Not much has survived the successive wars of this frontier area, particularly the Castle, which we didn’t bother to walk up to. However, we picniced in the formal 18th Century gardens of the Palacio Episcopal (Bishops Palace), with its elaborately shaped hedges, Baroque statues of Portuguese kings, pools and fountains – truly magnificent, and a welcome break from Castles !!

On to our campsite at Idanha-a-Velha, next to a lake. We waited until 7pm to go for a walk by the lake, in search of European bee-eaters (red , blue and yellow birds which we had seen as we drove in) but it was still too hot to be walking......its still too hot @ midnight as we type the blog !!