Day 14 out and about at Tomar market and a nearby boutique winery.

Restored by bedrest, doses of Adavil and Britt's cure all, a very hot foot bath, I rose on Good Friday and could face the day. We had early morning visitors from across the way as Harri and Charlie dropped in to say hello and play in front of the big heater. Soon everyone piled over and breakfasts were begun.

The announcement was that we needed to be in the car in an hour as we were heading for the Tomar market. We knew the place would be buzzing as several of the car parks were completely full. The three cars all finally found a spot and we followed the trail of locals crossing the bridge running over a river swollen with the rain of the last few days and heading for the market.

The market spread over several buildings and also the surrounding open areas.  Used to coping with spring rains, the stallholders had rigged up a complicated system of tarpaulins that they occasionally poked with long sticks so they could shed the huge puddles of gathering water. 

Peg was immediately taken by the green rubber slip-ons. She needed something more water resistant than the Sketchers she had brought with her. The next stop was a jumper stall to get something warmer to wear. A very persistent stall holder went through her complete stock to find something that suited. Peg left looking very dapper in a cream sweater.

The Tomar market was full of produce from the surrounding area and it was all completely seductive.. As well as the inevitable cakes and serves of BBQ chicken that we bought to snack on, we bought food for the next few days. Johnny will be cooking BBQ sardines and to go with that we will have smashed potatoes and broccoli with almonds. Of course we also bought lots of fruit and nuts, salamis and cheeses. We take our food as seriously as the Portuguese.

 

 

After the market we visited a boutique winery, Quinta Casal das Freiras, that supplies very good wine to Casa Adega. Guests are given by Britt and Wil, a bottle of wine from the surrounding area to take home with them. We were given a tour of the winery and an explanation of the processes they use, before  a tasting of a white and a red, accompanied by bread and cheeses. Very nice!

                                                  

Our resident plant & machinery valuer researched the price of a second hand Siprem PA20 grape press; EUR15,000.

We split up for the journey home, with Gin, Zak and Britt heading home to give the littlies a sleep, Perry and Michelle home for a rest/run and Peg, John and I went back to the Fantasy shop for a range of goods. That place has EVERYTHING; double sided tape, crocks, gum boots, balloons, boxes of matchbox trucks, and lots of other stuff that we decided we needed., 

Of course as soon as I bought a pair of gum boots at Fantasy, the weather cleared up and the place was bathed in glorious sunshine. but Chux did find lots of mud churned up by the wild pigs and coated himself in it.

Dinner was a bit special tonight. Britt went to Tomar to her favourite Indian restaurant and brought back a feast of 8 dishes. We sat around the big table in the kitchen and it felt like we were seated in a banqueting hall. Everything tasted so nice. Harri ate her first pappadoms (I think). The evening bathing ensued and then the adults gathered back in the adega for dessert and coffee.