Left the Pousada at 10 a.m. for Vila Real and the Mateus Estate. Well kept grounds, with the famous Mateus palace (it's on all their labels) and it's ponds. Tree covered walkway, pruned to be a solid wall on the outside.

        
      
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Cross-country to Regua, then onto the highway to Lamego, where we stopped for lunch. Vast valleys along the way, similar to our own foothills. Difficult to tell if we were on the right road, as it goes from cobbled lane, to paved road, to a narrow street in towns, then to super expressway. Makes no sense.

    
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Viseu to Guarda (highest city in Portugal) on a very good, modern highway. Stopped for a look around but got the feeling Guarda is a rough place to be, so onto Castelo Branco. Some beautiful new homes along the way. Travelled from mountainous grape country in the north, to vast plains in south of Fundao.

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Bit of difficulty finding rooms in Castelo Branco, but Lee and Carole managed to find us a quaint pension right downtown. It boasted a shower down the hall, with the sink and bidet very handy to the bed. Went for a walk, supper next door, then off to bed by 10 p.m.

      
      
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