The Diana tour of Coimbra surrounds

I decide I will go easy on the food and drink today. None of my clothes fit me comfortably any more. Apart from that they are all dirty and wet from all the rain. I am feeling a bit homesick - I think I am nearly over this travel caper.


Alan and I walk up to the University before breakfast. At 10 am we are in our square when we hear Diana (State Ref library colleague of Alan's) shouting at us from her grey volvo at the lights: "GET IN THE CAR." We pile in unceremonously and away we go, Diana talking ten to the dozen.


Tearing along the highway like locals we head towards the Roman ruins at Conimbriga. We get lost so have a coffee break. Diana tells us that a latte is called a mia delite and insists that we try the local delicacy - pastel nata, a custard filled pastry. Fabulous, but there go the diet plans for the day!


We have all but given on finding the ruins but accidentally stumble on them 4 kms out of Conimbrigia. Alan is ecstatic to get another fix of Roman empire remnants. He is very taken with the site, particularly by the mosaic floors. He waxes lyrical about the colours in the mosaics.

After visiting the ruins of the Roman empire in three different countries now and noting the similarities in the way the towns and houses were laid out in each we have quite an appreciation of the incredible town planning disciplines and organisational powers of the conquering Romans.  Life in an ancient Roman town would have been quite pleasant.

We get lost again before heading towards Montemor-o-Velho, 32 kms west of Coimbra.


And of course we lunch.


Sue:


"Rose, Lee and I have grilled bass and salad. Alan has grilled ribs and Diana pork mixed up with cubed vegies. All quite tasty - and cheap again. Five meals with two beers, minerals waters and coffees comes to under 35 euros."


We walk off lunch at Montemor-o-Velho castle, which broods over the flood plain of the Mondega. It was built in about the 10th or 11th century and looks very Norman with moorish influences.  I find it very dramatic and interesting but I can't help comparing it to 'our' castle back at Hautefort in France where the outlook from the castle is so surreally beautiful.  Here it is a bit more 'Glenorchy'.

Back at Coimbra it is pouring down with rain but we wade around alleyways looking for that elusive shop I have talked up so much.


I decide to skip dinner and drinks and stay in my room watching the update on the mine rescue via CNN on telly and listening to the rain outside. The food battlers, however, strike out again.


Sue:


"We decide to revist our restaurant of the previous night. They have changed the menu. Alan has the salted cod cooked in milk (recommended by Diana) with the bright yellow chips and rice again. The meal had a curdled kind of look. Rose and I have a dish of pasta and meat chunks with salad and a half jug of red wine and then it is home to bed early."