So peaceful here and a beautiful site they really have thought of everything. Rog (fireman brother in law) will like the first photo of the day - yes we are safe. Had a long Skype with David's Mum & Dad (it's cold & wet at home so best we don't complain about the weather here!) walked about 1km out of the campsite down the track to catch the bus to Monchique for the day. Took a while to actually find where we should catch the bus and had a coffee while waiting. Only 15mins up the road and cost 6.50euro for 2 one way (expensive for here). When we arrived we had a long walk around the town and up to the old convent. We past many oak cork trees - which they peel the bark off when it's about 20cm thick. It then takes 5 years to grow again to that thickness. The cork can be soft or compressed like bamboo (hard enough to use as a chopping board) lots of things to buy here made from cork. The Convent Was very derelict and an old man and his family lived there! He let us look around - it was interesting to see a place in that state rather than being a complete building. Could not believe our eyes when we came out and bumped into our farmer friend from yesterday! He had certainly walked along way - and because of the language barrier we could only smile and say hello and goodbye! Walked down into the town square for a light lunch and a few beers. We then came across a festival of ham and Medronho (fire water- alcohol made for local fruit from the tree) of course we had to try it all and our farmer friend joined us! All the locals knew him. With a few more beers we were full to busting! Had to do something while waiting to catch the last bus back ! Back up the hill to Priscilla and past a farmer with his goats. Another busy day.
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