It's about 40 miles north from Porto to the town of Viana do Castelo. We wanted to take the funicular to the church on top of the hill but it was closed on Monday like many other Portugal attractions....
We met a young couple from Hungary at the funicular station. They had taken the train from Porto to see the church and visit the beach. Since we had decided to drive to see the church, we offered them a ride.
The Basilica of Santa Luzia, on Mt. St. Luzia was constructed in 1903. From the basilica's location on top of Mount St. Luzia, there are spectacular views of the city and the beach. The best view of the city can be seen from the pinnacle of the church, accessible from the church through an elevator for a fee of one Euro.....
Laszlo and Orsolya had never seen the Atlantic Ocean before coming to Portugal. I had read that the fishermen use the Rodanho Beach to catch fish with traditional equipment so we took a drive there. Upon arrival we met a horse and gave him an apple. The horse followed us everywhere and tried to eat Laszlo's shoe.
Mrs. Phred on the dune.
After dropping Laszlo and Orsolya at the train station and with an invitation to contact them if we ever decide to visit Budapest, we drive East to Ponte de Lima. One of the first things we see is a rose. It's a very lovely small Portuguese city.
They're having a huge market on the river.
The old roman bridge is the most famous sight in Ponte de Lima.
Rooster images are everywhere in Portugal. This is because of a dead roosters miraculous intervention in proving the innocence of a man who had been falsely accused of stealing silver and was sentenced to death.
The silver was taken from a great landowner in the town of Barcelos. The people of the city were looking for the criminal. One day a man from neighbouring Galicia turned up and became the suspect. Despite pleading his innocence the man was nevertheless arrested and condemned to hang. The Galician asked them if he could be taken in front of the Judge who had condemned him. His request was honoured and he arrived at the house of the Judge, who was holding a banquet with friends.
The Galician pleaded his innocence and pointed to a roasted 'cock' on top of the banquet table and explained. "It is as certain that I am innocent as it is certain that the rooster will crow when they hang me"
The Judge pushed aside his plate and decided not to eat the rooster, but still ignored the Galician's appeal. While the pilgrim was being hanged, the rooster stood up on the table and crowed as the 'Galician' had predicted. Realising his error, the Judge ran to the gallows, only to find out that the Galician had been saved by a poorly made knot in the rope. The Pilgrim was immediately freed and sent off in peace.
Anyway, Ponte de Lima is a lovely small Portugal community. We also drove to Barcelos because we were hoping to see a special chicken...
I have always wanted a black leather jacket with a chicken on the back....
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an chicken on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
Well, he never washed his face and he never combed his hair
He had axle grease embedded underneath his fingernails
On the muscle of his arm was a red tattoo
A picture of a heart saying "Mother, I love you"
He had a pretty girlfriend by the name of Mary Lou
But he treated her just like he treated all the rest
And everybody pitied her and everybody knew
He loved that doggone motorcycle best
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an chicken on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an chicken on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
Well, he never washed his face and he never combed his hair
He had axle grease embedded underneath his fingernails
On the muscle of his arm was a red tattoo
A picture of a heart saying "Mother, I love you"
He had a pretty girlfriend by the name of Mary Lou
But he treated her just like he treated all the rest
And everybody pitied her and everybody knew
He loved that doggone motorcycle best
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an chicken on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
looks like a very relaxing town...how nice now to have Budapest connection.
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