We both still felt rubbish today, but JC was on the bounce back (he blamed his 24 hour sickness on the sardines he munched on Tuesday). My poorliness was more like catching up on 2024 so I was taking longer to recover. Anyway, we managed to rouse ourselves enough to visit Batalha Monastery, another UNESCO site, and a mere shuffle across from our hotel.
This one had a more austere style church which we prefer.
An interesting side room with amazing carvings and impressive ceiling.
Cloisters.
Spot the photographer.
Then we visited the 'unfinished chapels'. These are east of the main altar and strangely pretty much complete except the roof. Odd to get so far and then stop but I suspect either the money ran out or the enthusiasm petered off.
We found a cafe for lunch and I managed a soup and salad which was good for me. Lovely spot and I do like a fancy salad.
Then it was back to the hotel for a lie down.
We were struggling to find places to eat - Batalha seems to shut down at night and few of the restaurants are open - so we popped to a mini market and bought cheese/ham and bread. That’ll do. I dozed whilst JC, who was feeling better, popped out to photograph the abbey at night. Another day survived!
Friday 28 June 2024
We both felt better today, although I was still on paracetamol for the headache, so drove down to the Monastery of Alcobaça. It was drizzling, but I’d rather feel better and it rain, than feel ill and it be sunny.
Once again, austere rooms but large.
This was the refectory.
And the kitchen was a surprise! Tiled to the top of the very high ceiling with a massive chimney for the fire.
Their bedroom was massive.
The church was only used by the monks, as commoners (and even then, only the men) were allowed in halfway on very rare occasions. The church is notable that the aisles are the same height as main nave. They are, of course, usually lower.
I was very taken by the stone mason markings that were scattered everywhere.
After sopa (soup) for me and croissant for JC - our standard lunch now - we drove south to Obidos. Obidos is a historic village built within the city walls. This is the entrance.
You can climb up and onto the walls. Like other places we found in Portugal, they are not health and safety managed and people use them at their own risk. There are no railings to stop you plopping off so you have to watch your step especially when passing others.
The views would have great if the cloud hadn’t been so low.
Really pretty village.
It was fun to walk around and then we headed through the village.
Looking down.
We managed to eat supper out in Batalha although it was still tricky finding somewhere open on a Friday night that looked semi suitable. To be honest, it was tricky finding much open at all - and this was a Friday in June. But we managed and it was my largest evening meal for days. Getting there.
No comments:
Post a Comment