Another Stuenkel Crazy Trip

We decided to stay local today.  Peniche has a fort built in the 1600's and turned into a polical prison in 1934.  Fascinating place. Prison library Came back to the apartment, put on our bathing suits and went to the beach for a couple of hours! Good day!

Drove South today.  Again we went off road.  We seem to have better luck finding neat things. More coastline, but each spot seems a little different. Ended up in a town called Lourinha where they were having a festival/market.  Walked around for a while  And drove "home"

 Taking my brother Scott and his wife, Vicki's traveling expertise, we went off road Friday.  We came upon this huge new development that many lots, but no new houses yet.  Did have a hilly golf course and a beautiful beach. From there we headed to San Martinho do Porto further up the coast.  We pulled the car over to start using the Garmin when this very nice lady named Magda came to Jim's window. We must have talked for 30 minutes.  Finally, she said follow me and I will take you part way.  So we did.  Ended up in a traffic jam in some nice town She gave us further directions and we arrived in San Martinho do Porto. Here is the view from ou lunch table. While waiting for the pizza, Jim struck up a conversation with the realtor next door--checking house prices. After lunch we drove to the top of the cliff overlooking the right side of the lagoon. Not sure what these kites are called, but this gal flew right over us and waved. Another long day and we h...

 I named this blog ........Crazy Trip.  Well, yesterday was one of those days.  We thought we would go inland and see the countryside.  I picked a place called Castelo de Almourol.  See the country and have a destination.  Well, 2 1/2 hours, 50 roundabouts  and very curvy roads we made it.  Castle was closed for lunch, so we decided to have lunch, too.  Tasteless burgers, salad without dressing and fries fried in old oil.  Good, Coke though.  We then paid 5 Euros to ride a boat -- very short distance to the castle which was on an island.  Had to climb many, many steps.  Did I mention it was hot?  Reached the castle and I had to sit inside on steps because I I think I had beginnings of a heat stroke.  Have had it in the past.  Jim continued to the top.  It turns out that it wasn't a castle at all--just a fortress.  There were no rooms or little caverns.  Jim came back down, we waited for the bo...

Yesterday morning was another frustrating time!!  We decided to head to the information office to find out what things there are to do in the area.  I turned on the Garmin and nothing happened.  We both tried several times.  Nothing.  So, back upstairs (3 rd floor) to the apartment to find the receipt.  Couldn't find it.  We had taken the garbage out earlier so we went back down and dumpster dived.  Went through the bag and found the box but no receipt.  Back upstairs to wash our hands.  Decided to go to store and plead our case without the receipt.  In car and realized I left my purse in the apartment.  Back upstairs.  The gentleman at the store was wonderful.  He was able to turn Kate (our name for the Garmin--she has a British accent) on first try.  Don't know what the difference was.  Anyway, went to the info office and went for a ride.  Stumbled upon the Vila Obidos,  it is an old walled villa...

We had to drive to Lisbon this morning to turn in our rental.  We're able to do it with no fuss or muss!! Amazing!,  here is a pic of the new car:  Cute little Fiat.  Wanted to keep it in the family (for Wendy). Came back to Peniche and did a little driving around town.  Amazing scenery!!

Today started out very relaxing.  We took our time having breakfast, took our showers and drove down to the beach to look for shells. These two pics are for Jaclyn and Alex.  These guys were playing soccer!! When we arrived back at the car, we discovered this: In just that short time someone had broken the driver's side window.  I had left my purse in the locked car.  Nothing was taken.  Pretty stupid on my part.  I think someone saw them and scared them off.  We borrowed a strangers phone to call the police.  They came and told us we had to drive into town to file a report.  Got a little lost, but finally found the station.  This is it and our two helpful policemen--took them an hour and a half to type up the report. We promptly bought a cheap phone for emergencies and to call Hertz.  We drive back to Lisbon tomorrow to get a new car.  Hope it doesn't rain tonight. Also, bought a new Garmin.  The one we bought when we wer...