Dave was getting tired of touring by the end of our stay in Portugal, so for our last days there he booked us into a small hotel in the town of Maiorca which is near the ocean between Porto and Lisbon.
The place used to be home to a rice plantation owner and is called Quinta d’Anta- Hotel Rural.
It certainly was rural and quite lovely.
The rooms were very nice, the grounds gorgeous and since it was the off-season and during the week we were one of only two couples at the place. It advertises itself as a resort where you can learn how to surf and this glassed in surf board art deco piece just outside our bedroom door gave evidence of that. But the place isn’t just for surfers. There was a beautiful Jackson Pollack print over the comfortable chairs in our own little lobby where I could sit in the morning to do my writing while I waited for Dave to wake up.
It was too chilly to use the nice looking pool but we did take out a pair of bicycles one morning and went out for a long ride in the surrounding countryside and around a lake.

Dave stopped to arm himself with a big stick after a yappy dog ran after his bicycle and tried to bite him.
Dave Driedger Nature Photographer hadn’t been very active on this holiday but on our bike ride he swung into action and got some beautiful shots.
The afternoon we arrived we went for a long walk, stopping for coffee at a little shop and meandering through the narrow cobblestone streets snapping photos.

This abandoned mansion was obviously home to a rich family at one time. There is still a family crest over the door.
We ate breakfast and supper in the hotel restaurant. We decided to treat ourselves to massages and they were wonderful. It was the perfect way to end our Portugal adventure.
I am enjoying your write ups. We are unable to do any traveling ourselves and so am enjoying reading about your travels. Thank You for posting. Aunt Marion.
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Dear Aunt Marion,
Thanks so much for the affirmation and for reading my blog posts. I really appreciate your interest. A big hello to Uncle Johnny. Take care.
Love
MaryLou
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The stork photos are amazing. By the way.. . . storks appear to mate for life, but it’s actually the nest that they’re attracted to, not each other. 🙂 Have very much enjoyed reading about your Portugal adventure.
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Thanks Gabe. I will tell Dave you liked his stork photos. He took lots but I couldn’t include them all. We were surprised to find storks so far north since they tend to congregate in southern Portugal. See you soon.
MaryLou
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