The Quinta de la Rosa is a lovely estate and we were reluctant to actually leave this morning. Especially since it was cool for several hours this morning (during this unseasonable heat wave). So we took our time - which is not unusual - and finally went into Pinhão for some supplies, et al. After some initial exploration, we found a very nice pastelaria (see photograph below) for our late morning café e pasteis. We also found some wonderful regional cheese and olives, plus carrots (and some so-so bread) for lunch later.
We then set out on an incredible (incrível) journey north up the Rio Pinhão valley to Alijó (on the east side of the valley). Coming back, we crossed the Pinhão to Sabrosa (which required going waaay down and then waaay back up) and returned to Pinhão on the west side of the valley. The scenery is simply spectacular - there is no other way to describe it. We don't have the proper camera to capture what this looks like. The terraced vineyards are everywhere, built over many centuries.
We went back to Restaurante Residêncial Ponto Grande tonight where we had the cabrito with tomatoes, onions and peppers that the owner, Senhor José Vieira kindly promised us yesterday. It was very good, especially the potatoes which seemed to have been cooked with them (see photo below). There was a simple but tasty salad and some plain rice which went very well with the meal. As wine, we chose the 2001 Vinha de Mazouco which was fine but not as good as the Quinta da Poça that we drank last night.
Since the weather is uncomfortably hot, today only rated a 2.0 (zero points for temperature).
The outside of our suite at Quinta de la Rosa (Steve is locking the far door, which is quite a bizarre exercise!)
One of the views from where Steve has his morning tea
Photograph of Quinta de la Rosa taken from the railway station in Pinhão (with the Douro in the foreground)
The railway station in Pinhão
The Princesa do Douro, our pastelaria of choice in Pinhão
The confluence of the Pinhão and Douro rivers at Pinhão. This photograph is taken from the west side of the Rio Pinhão valley looking down on the town on Pinhão (on the left). We are staying at the Quinta de la Rosa (see yellow rectangle in the upper right).
Where last night's wine was made (that's our car in the background)
Cabrito with tomatoes and peppers and wonderful potatoes
1 comment:
Hi, Susan & Steve. I read your post on the Zine and have just savored each day's post to the blog of your ongoing Portugal discovery. I hope the finale proves as pleasurable as the trip-to-date has been. Thanks for sharing your trip!
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