We switched cars for the automatic and took off north for Tomar. I had quite forgotten that the autoestrada is actually a skyway crossing the valleys between mountains at an elevation of at least 30 metres. Spectacular scenery at 160 km/h. I should explain that there is no travelling in the the passing lanes! The way it is adhered to makes one believe it a hanging offence. So, the further north you go leaving the calming influence of the British tourists in the Algarve, the more it seems like you are in the middle of a Formula 1 race, with speeds starting at 140 km and cars moving in and out within less than a half metre! Quite uncharacteristically for us, we were in the "slow" lane, not doing any passing.
We got into Tomar just after lunch, despite Guinevere (our GPS) taking us over mountains and down country roads which prompted Gail to declare that henceforth, she was going to share navigational responsibilities. We checked into our hotel which is on an island in the centre of the city and immediately went to the castle of the Knights Templar. It has served the Order of Christ after the Knights Templar were is abolished as well as several other religious orders and was in use until 1992. No luxury in any century!
Sent from Porto, 13, Portugal
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