Friday, March 11, 2005
Paderne: a choice of ruins...
I like castles, whatever their state of repair, so I wasn't too disappointed when the one at Paderna turned out to be past its best...
There's a fuller account of our day on my website at the page called Paderne, otherwise, here's the potted account...
We visited this little hamlet during our Algarve hols in Albufeira, September 2004. The place itself is pleasant enough, with a choice of cafés and eateries, but I was more interested in the historical stuff.
We looked at the fonte, just outside the village, and I climbed up the observation tower (I'm nosy like that). It's a working spring, with canopied water channels and is still used by passing locals. It seems there are market stalls set up there sometimes, but nothing was happening on the hot day when we visited.
Undaunted, we pressed on to visit the castle. That was more like it... I was glad we hadn't walked along the uneven, dusty track, since it seemed much longer than the advertised 1.5 km.
Work is underway to restore the fortress to some of its former glory, and the workmen were at their tasks during our visit. Like most such fortifications in Algarve, Paderne castle changed hands during the centuries between the Moors' arrival in the Iberian Peninsula and their expulsion.
These huge stone edifices always impress me, as I simply can't imagine the effort that went into their building (or the privations suffered by those who inhabited them - the sanitation problems alone make me shudder!)
So, it was a lovely day for exploring and we walked around the remains, shared some snacks and took some digi-photos. That's about all I ask of a lazy vacation day.
As you'll see from the pic above, I snapped Nev while he was standing in front of the castle's facade. Since he was in marginally better condition than the other ruin, I took him home with me!
There's a fuller account of our day on my website at the page called Paderne, otherwise, here's the potted account...
We visited this little hamlet during our Algarve hols in Albufeira, September 2004. The place itself is pleasant enough, with a choice of cafés and eateries, but I was more interested in the historical stuff.
We looked at the fonte, just outside the village, and I climbed up the observation tower (I'm nosy like that). It's a working spring, with canopied water channels and is still used by passing locals. It seems there are market stalls set up there sometimes, but nothing was happening on the hot day when we visited.
Undaunted, we pressed on to visit the castle. That was more like it... I was glad we hadn't walked along the uneven, dusty track, since it seemed much longer than the advertised 1.5 km.
Work is underway to restore the fortress to some of its former glory, and the workmen were at their tasks during our visit. Like most such fortifications in Algarve, Paderne castle changed hands during the centuries between the Moors' arrival in the Iberian Peninsula and their expulsion.These huge stone edifices always impress me, as I simply can't imagine the effort that went into their building (or the privations suffered by those who inhabited them - the sanitation problems alone make me shudder!)
So, it was a lovely day for exploring and we walked around the remains, shared some snacks and took some digi-photos. That's about all I ask of a lazy vacation day.
As you'll see from the pic above, I snapped Nev while he was standing in front of the castle's facade. Since he was in marginally better condition than the other ruin, I took him home with me!
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
A sunny little place I know...
The weather outside is... awful.
I know it's the time of year and all that, but somehow that's not reassuring. Not wishing to be a whinger, but when did 'things can only get better' make anyone feel good at the time?
As I often do, I pulled out my Algarve vacation diaries and had a leaf through, in an effort to cheer myself up.
I read about our visit to a lovely little hamlet that goes by the name of Querenca (we went there for the first and only time last August) and was transported back to a beautiful hot day, a smashing cross-country drive from Alte, and an encounter with a nosey goat...
So I thought about writing it up, so I could share the great feeling I'd managed to conjure up...
...sorted out some photos and reminisced about the experience and... hey, presto! Another page for my website.
It's a gorgeous place, and if you're interested in learning more (or even visiting) you can check out my new page:
Querenca
It's a peaceful place, with some pretty wow vivendas, I thought.
Nev and I enjoyed a relaxed re-fuelling session in one of its restaurants after our stroll around.
If I had to choose a place for an Algarve holiday home, I think Querenca might well feature high up my wish list.
Oh, well. Back to dreary southern England, while I plan our next Algarve adventure.
I don't want to wish my life away, but my next vacation can't come soon enough!
I know it's the time of year and all that, but somehow that's not reassuring. Not wishing to be a whinger, but when did 'things can only get better' make anyone feel good at the time?
As I often do, I pulled out my Algarve vacation diaries and had a leaf through, in an effort to cheer myself up.
I read about our visit to a lovely little hamlet that goes by the name of Querenca (we went there for the first and only time last August) and was transported back to a beautiful hot day, a smashing cross-country drive from Alte, and an encounter with a nosey goat...
So I thought about writing it up, so I could share the great feeling I'd managed to conjure up...
...sorted out some photos and reminisced about the experience and... hey, presto! Another page for my website.
It's a gorgeous place, and if you're interested in learning more (or even visiting) you can check out my new page:
Querenca
It's a peaceful place, with some pretty wow vivendas, I thought.
Nev and I enjoyed a relaxed re-fuelling session in one of its restaurants after our stroll around.
If I had to choose a place for an Algarve holiday home, I think Querenca might well feature high up my wish list.
Oh, well. Back to dreary southern England, while I plan our next Algarve adventure.
I don't want to wish my life away, but my next vacation can't come soon enough!
