Portugal: The Palace at Sintra

I am not sure whether to call this a palace or a castle, though the Portugese refer to it as the Palace of Pena.  I have seen many many palaces and castles and on the whole feel thoroughly palaced-out and totally castled-out, so wasn’t overkeen on visiting this one.  It has to be said, however, that it does invite you up the hill to have a look.  Perched as it is at the edge of the charming little town of Sintra, not far from Lisbon, it forces you to look up and exclaim “hey, look at that!” (or words to this effect).

For this blog in full and more please see http://www.turquoisemoon.co.uk/blog/portugal-the-palace-at-sintra/

The Last King of Portugal

Manuel II 1889-1932

The history of the demise of  Portugese royalty is every bit as shameful as that of Russia in that it was in the 1900s, when mankind had advanced so far  in so many ways … to kill off the Royal family in these brutal and churlish ways when society had advanced a long way in regard to slavery, divorce rights, votes for women, medicine, politics, engineering, travel …..  It beggars belief.

For this blog in full and more please see http://www.turquoisemoon.co.uk/blog/the-last-king-of-portugal/

Portugal

I first came to Portugal a zillion years ago when I was in my twenties.  I was with an English chap by the name of Martin, who also lived in Marbella, and who was in the throes of selling his flat in Faro.  With us we had two dogs – his was named Fitsherbert I recall, like mine a big old lollopy mutt rescued from some dire and cruel situation.

For this blog in full and more please see http://www.turquoisemoon.co.uk/blog/portugal/