Sunshine!

Farewelled Porto, a very charming and allurig city.

At its core it is a beautiful place with people likewise. A bit like an attractive older lady- back in the day she would have had boys lining up. Now, with a few wrinkles and fading colours you can imagine what she would have been like. It appealed to both of us.

Highlights... Tiny, intricate and patterned cobblestones, vibrant and mixed use of paint and traditional Portuguese tiled facades. Washing hung across the front of terraces and over streets. Graffiti on what were grand old buildings and public art. Plaster and paint faded, cracked and coming off in parts. Gutted old mansions now used as closed gardens.

Headed to the Duoro Valley to see the terraced port vineyards. Took an audio tour on an ipod- they love their prerecorded tours here.

The vine rows look like the contours on a map. Funny that it is called Port, not Duoro. It was the sunniest day by far- chocolate melted in the car.

Visited a very famous vineyard at the eastern end of the valley on our way to Spain. The views were amazing.

Painted tiles in Porto / The view from the top of Quinta Vargellas, Duoro)