What an experience the ride was in itself, bumpy, rickety, swaying, around corners over cobbled roads....all good fun. Drove over one of the 5 bridges to the oldest Port Winery.
Very good, guides spoke several Languages, started off with a video of the many wineries, the terrain, the ground, weather and climate etc, very interesting, grown on such steep slopes all hand picked by women, as they are smaller and more gentle when picking the bunches. The men haul the heavy baskets down to the waiting trucks. The Touaga de National Grape variety, Porto was the first wine region to be demarcated in the world.
Then the tour around the cellars, through the many large and small barrels to the most important tasting room.....tried a white port, very sweet and a tawny both delicious.
Caught the little road train back out and around the city.....not sure I would have taken some of the roads as we passed lots of derelict, abandoned old buildings, they must be very poor here it was quite sad really. The roads so narrow and old cobbles very close to anyone walking...eekkkkk. Newer apartment blocks in the busier part of the city so a very eclectic mix.
At the end of the ride, we had to walk down to the river......very steep steps down the side of the cliff, with people living down here hanging their washing between the buildings.
Down and down we went...not good for old knees and hips .....but passed a few elderly ladies on the way up....wow what a place to live.
Once at the bottom, it opened into a vibrant, bustling riverside area with market, bars, cafes and restaurants, fabulous place. Managed to get a coffee and a tasty pastry with flavours of almond and cinnamon before we got on the boat for the river cruise.
The boat was packed, unfortunately the commentary was not in English but it was a very pleasant way to spend an hour on the very clean clear river Douro. The water so clean you could clearly see fish swimming.
Lots of ladies were wearing scarfs sold in the market for €7 Tony bought me one as my neck is often cold and although the days are up to 17° when the sun looses it's heat it's very cold, so need a little extra.
We walked over the large metal bridge on the lower level to opposite bank where the Port Houses were, and a smaller market selling jewellery and smaller bits and pieces. Very popular here with young people, sitting in the sun outside the various Port Houses drinking Port....
We were headed to Porto Cruz which Tony used to sell, they have a pink Port we wanted to try, €2 a glass, very nice, not quite as sweet as the white port, but still sweeter than the Ruby or tawny. Had a look around the 4 floors of the building, with little expo room, video, and the roof garden packed with young people and an amazing 180° view, next to Sandemans. Stood a while up there taking it all in, sparkling water of the river Douro, the people eating, drinking or just milling around in the market, lovely place, one of our top 10 visits for sure.
Went back down to shop and bought a bottle of Pink €10.
We walked back over the lower level of the bridge, couldn't work out how to get up on the top level to walk over, so crossed back and we decided not to attempt the steep, step climb back up so took the cable car €2.50 each...Worth it definately.
We came out right next to the bus station and our No 15 was waiting for us, so hopped on back to the campsite. Well again, how the bus got down and around some of those ancient narrow cobbled roads was amazing. We bumped along and saw the most amazing big red sun setting, but unfortunately the photo didn't do the colour justice.
Back to Bessie, 5.30 hot cuppa then to restaurant for our dinner after our great day in town. We opted for the Tourist menu €14 each, they brought us out a little plate of sheep cheese in oil and chilli with fresh bread, then a very tasty potato croquet stuffed with meat, soup, I had the seafood skewer with prawns and octopus with little potatoes in garlic and aoli delicious, Tony had the Turkey breast with rice and peas which was thick and moist he really enjoyed his too. Then for desert I had a layered glass with biscuits crumbs in the bottom then a layer of white mouse, layer of custard the topped with a soft coconut meringue, it was very nice indeed, Tony had the chocolate mouse which was quite rich and neither went with bottle of white wine, so we finished out drinks then enjoyed our desert and coffee, which he had got to a fine art for me with a half cup of coffee and a jug of hot milk....just right as I don't like it too strong.
Perfect end to a fabulous day, finished with a wee glass of Port.
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