Day 8 - visiting historical town

This town was called Provesende, showcasing the Portugal of yesteryear! It was on top of a hill, cobblestone streets and old houses of granite and slate. The most interesting part was this was in the middle of the main wine region and we saw vineyards on the way that had vines growing vertical (traditional way) beside vines growing horizontal - the modern way. Apparently it has all to do with the sun and growing wine for port which have lots of sun and early harvest. Some vines on the steep hills had small banks of slate rocks to hold them stable on the hill side.

Small towns perched on top of hills. We were told this was traditionally because of French and Spanish invaders in the past and it was a good location to see all around (as well as keeping away from any flooding of the rivers).

We visited a small winery in the town which also had an origional manor house attatched . We tasted the best port I have had on this trip and bread made from the local bakery. Yum. We all had 2 lots of each including the guide!

This is the local bakery which is still functioning with a coal range stove and a large mixer in the corner. I really don't think health and safety standards were coming into play!

 This was the local church which looked austere from the outside but lovely inside. they had an organist playing for us.

That night we were entertained by the staff of the boat, which was a chance for them to let their hair down. There was a group singing a Portuguese song, the captain and the entertainment officer singing songs and a dance demonstration! The people on board really got into it with joining them for a conga line and line dancing! Even Dave ..... not pretty but he loved it. I was a bit too scared as the conditions were cramped and I would have got bumped around and hurt my wounds.

After that there was the    bird dance and macarena.