The Douro valley and human sacrifice

At Peso de Regua we stayed on a motorhome parking lot with electricity for 3 euros to investigate boat trips for when Tas arrived to visit us.

We also visited the museum where we learnt about the history Douro wine region finishing with a taste of Tawny Port. We both thought it would be disgusting but were pleasantly surprised but not converted!

There is a railway along the side of the Douro and each station is ornately decorated with tiles. This station was at Pinhao, where we would return later.

This was a very strange place called the Panoias Sanctuary (previously called Fragas de Panois) located on the edge of a small village near Vila Real. Here, about 1800 years ago, various cavities of different shapes and sizes as well as stairs, have been carved out of the rocks. Luckily, several inscriptions were also carved in the rocks in Latin and Greek, describing the rituals to their gods that were carried out and also giving instructions - basically human sacrifices! Apparently, the victims sacrificed themselves. Their blood was poured into small cavities and their entrails were removed and placed into larger cavities where it was burnt - lovely!

From here we spent three quiet nights in a water park campsite and because the waterpark was closed, we were mostly the only ones here!

A Medieval Fair, Castle, an abandoned Castle and stray dogs

We stumbled across a small medieval fair at Agoso where some Walnut liqueur was tasted, distilled there and then in a small Still and served in half a Walnut shell. The Portuguese bagpipes were again being played.

Portuguese bagpipes

A merry-go-round powered by a bike

Lovely view from the castle

We then visited the ruins of the church of Saint John Batista and just beyond, the ruined Castelo e Vila Muralhada de Ansiaes.

Graves carved out of the rock

Entry to the ruined castle

We stayed out of the way nearby and met a couple of stray dogs in the morning. The rough coated Podenco was quite brave but his friend, what looked like a Leonberger, was very timid and kept well away.

We gave the Podenco some dog treats, bread and a couple of raw eggs, which he lapped up. Even taking some bread from Dees hand.

Mogadouro and Miranda do Douro

This was a huge steak that Phil had at a restaurant in Mogadouro. Dee had Bacalhau a Bras, a cod fish dish, which was also lovely. She took half hers back to Muy.

We were at Mogadouro for a few days over Easter and saw a small procession by the local Bombieros (firemen and women) and band. Mogadouro is a very nice small town, not really on the tourist trail but has a lot going for it. We made the most of their lovely wildlife walk through a small valley and their modern indoor swimming pool.

There was a bit more on at Miranda do Douro for Easter, with an Artisan market and displays by Los Pauliteiros de Miranda - a bit like English Morris Dancers who accompany the gaita-de-foles - bagpipes - the region's traditional music. 

A few animals indigenous to the area were also on show including, goats, mountain dogs (didn't look very happy to be there), pigs, donkeys and this massive bull. The Miranda Donkey is the only recognised breed of Donkey in Portugal and we have seen them working as well as living a good life in lush fields. They all look in good condition which is nice to see.

The top left of this photo below shows blue sky - quite rare on a lot of this trip. It hammered most of the afternoon and well into the evening!

A Capa de Honras - cape of honour

The view of the Douro river from the town of Miranda do Douro. At this point it is more like a gorge.

A much better view of the Douro from a bit further upriver at Saint John of Arribes viewpoint.

From here we retreated to a campsite where we could plug in and warm up! By this time it was 6 degrees and hammering with rain!