The local guide informed the group early in the
tour of Porto that ‘The river is narrow here so you can cross on foot’!! The
tour confirmed TSH and Diva’s impressions from an earlier visit that the city,
which has some beautiful old buildings, needs a serious clean-up and
restoration.
One of the sights pointed out was a bookshop where
JKR completed ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, and whose curving
staircase inspired some of the descriptions of Hogwarts. She seems to be like
Robin Hood and Bonnie Prince Charlie in that everywhere wants to claim a
connection.
The tour finished with a visit to the Calem port
house, and compulsory consumption of two glasses of port before returning to
the Torvil for lunch.
The afternoon was spent on board, sailing to Bitetos.
Dinner was taken at the Alpendurada
monastery, which has been converted to a hotel. A bit like a poussada,
but a lot more investment needed to bring it properly up to standard. Because
he knew the venue and views would be spectacular, TSH took his camera but
unfortunately forgot to take an SD card, so no photographic record exists. Another
good dinner, followed by Lisbon-style Fado, which is more dramatic.
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