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Another Montserrate

Today, we drove an hour through Lisbon to the North to a place called Palace de Monserrate.  We had to investigate just because of the name.  We owned a house in the Caribbean on an island called Monserrat.  We have visited a monestary called Monserrat in Northern Spain and now the Palace de Monserrate in Portugal. The drive into Monserrate: Very narrow road Now those pics were of walk to the castle. These are of the castle: Of course, the library The Palace was first built in the 1700's as the summer resort of the Portuguese court.  An earthquake completely destroyed it and was it rebuilt in 1858 for Sir Frances Cook and his family.
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Steps

I should have been counting the number of steps we have taken since the trip started.  Every apartment has been on the 4th floor (except Germany).  When you figure up and down at least twice a day, that is a lot of steps.  Today, we have done four trips. But that doesn't include all the castles, fortressesa and villages built into hills!! I should be 20 lbs. lighter. Here are a few pics from Sesimbra.  We found a great restaurant and have had lunch there 3 days in a row.  $11.00 for the two of us each day.  Awesome food. our building
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Country of contrasts

We took a walk this afternoon-- it is only a block from the apartment.  Wanted to show you the two sides of a small fort on a narrow point.  Each side so different from the other. Tomorrow we pack and clean.  Monday we move to a new place for a week.  It is called Sesimbra and is located south of Lisbon on the Atlantic.  The picture of the apartment shows a balcony overlooking the ocean.  We shall see!!  (No pun intended) Then the following Tuesday we fly back to the Good 'Ole USA!!!!!
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Palacio Nacional de Mafra

The woman who rented the apartment to us in Peniche left us a list of places to visit.  One of them was the National Palace in Mafra about an hour from here.  I did some reading about it and learned it houses a very well known library.   National Palace of Mafra During my reading I learned that tours of the library are by appointment only for certain people.  So, I thought what the hectic, couldn't hurt to try.  I sent an email and had a quick response that Jim and I could come today.  The librarian's name is Clotilde Mendes.  She met us on the first floor and, oh, what a tour----not only the library but the Palace, as well.  The Palace has 1400 rooms and is 4 KM square.  The cornerstone was laid in 1729 and was finished in 1746.  The following are pictures of the library: Geography Section. Clotilde pulled a few books off the shelves and let us look at them--printed in the 1600 and 1700!! They are in amazing shape.  The Librar...
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Bernkastel

What a great day!!  Henk drove us an hour away to the little city of Bernkastel along the Mosel.  We walked, shopped, took pictures and stopped for some applestrudel.  Great afternoon!! Lots of vineyards along the way
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Greimersburg, Germany

We left the apartment in Peniche at 8:30 AM on Tuesday for the Lisbon Airport, turned in the rental car and flew to Cologne, Germany.  Rented a car in Cologne and drove to Greimersburg, Germany.  We are staying with our friends Henk and Corry from the Netherlands.  We met them for the first time 8 years ago at this very apartment. Went for dinner at a little Gausthaus in the village --dinner prepared by Barbara and Yens whom we met 8 years ago, as well.  Nice evening.  Today, we drove into Cochem and walked around for 2 hours shopping.  Cochem is a beautiful small city right on the Mosel River.  Just love it here!!!
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