Three Palaces and a castle

At least that's what the Inn Travel writeup said as the itinerary for the day! This is the Pena Palace:

We only managed 2 palaces and the castle but we wandered outside the Regaliera. The Moorish castle (where we started) breathtaking views over the countryside (and vertiginous!) lots of helpful displays talking about the history. Then onto Pena, the composer Richard Strauss on a visit said

this is the true Garden of Klingsor and there, up above, is the Castle of the Holy Grail

I saw what he meant with this castle in the clouds. More photos in the album.
That night we ate at O Regional in Sintra, the guide claimed recommended by locals - I wasn't sure, it felt rather more touristy than many we'd been in, there were certainly large portions though!

The final walk to Sintra - faster than a snail!

The next day was the walk from Colina Flora to Sintra

Through woods and gentle pathways, with views of what was to come! A stop to view the palace on Monserrate - spectacular, yes there wasn't much furniture in the palace but the architecture was wonderful, and the gardens too - look at the album for some pictures. We then took a bus to Sintra where we stayed at the Lawrence's Hotel, very comfortable and we ate out at Tulhas small and very busy, they were queuing outside at one point, we were close to the kitchen with good views, strongly recommended!

Convento dos Capuchos

The next day we took the easy route along the road and walked to the convento dos capuchos. A 16thC monastery for Franciscans and then Capuchins, this is the door of the dead - above an entrance that the new novices had to take to begin their lives under vows.

Very small cells for the monks, cork lined for warmth, just about walkable into - you had to crouch though. The door of the novice's cell looked onto the exit - a reminder that they could yet leave! Very austere simple location.
We walked back to Colina Flora - we ate that evening at A Toca de Julio - more conventional restaurant than yesterday's Sisudo, and a lift back with one of the waiters - exciting speeds along narrow roads. We much enjoyed Colina Flora - Aasta and James are American who love Portugal very simple but comfortable and wonderful breakfasts. The photo in the album of us was taken by James - as part of their guest book.

From the Westernmost .. inland

The next day we were given a lift to the Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of mainland Europe. Lots of tourists but walk a little along the coast and you come very close to these dramatic rock formations of Ursa Cove.

A lunchtime stop at Adraga beach and an easy day wandering through sand dunes. At one point there was a crashed car that had clearly been dumped and some locals attempted to buttonhole us - seeing our interest, hoping that we'd dumped it and would take it away!. We walked to the guest house of Colina Flora (of which more when I write the next entry) and in the evening we were taken to Sisudo restaurant in Almoçageme - very much a local place, a wide veggie choice and lots more too. There's a photo of the place mat and the wine in the album. I'd have gladly gone there another evening but there was so much choice between eating places!

Peninha

The next day was a circular walk to the chapel of Peninha

As the book said there are stunning views over the area and as far as Lisbon, we had uncertain weather but it was still clear. Unfortunately the chapel isn't open for visitors so we had to look through the windows. We copped out of the walk around the top and instead walked back down (though a different route). Dinner was at the hotel, we weren't wildly keen but it was very atmospheric!

The picture is from a sheltered part of the Penhina chapel looking towards Lisbon.

Cascais to Azoia

We're back from a walking holiday in Portugal arranged (again!) by Inn Travel the walking was in the Sintra with a final day in Lisbon.
We flew to Lisbon got in rather late (around 11pm after the plane was delayed due to a medical problem on the incoming service)so our stop in Cascais was rather brief, we were taxied next morning to the Cabo Raso lighthouse where the host of our next 2 nights left us.
We had a pleasant morning walking along Guicho beach and after lunch at a beach cafe (very nice) the only Sangria of the week, we headed inland throughcountryside and hamlets to São Saturnino. This is allegedly a former monastery but had a distinctly spooky atmosphere due to the furnishings. We were driven to a local restaurant in Azoia for evening meal - meeting a couple who were a day ahead of us on the walk. I enjoyed an octopus dish the rest of the party were a little more conservative! A fairly restful first day of the walk.

Most of the photos are uploaded to flickr, a few more to do and I hope to sequence them in a better order. The sequence wasn't helped by my forgetting the camera sd card....