We’ve all done it. Missed an appointment of one sort or another by being late. Sometimes of our own volition. Other times by circumstances not in our control.
2 Cheeses have even on occasion missed a show, by being too early. Like the time we booked tickets to see a film at the Regent Centre in Christchurch. Even made a note of the day and time on the calendar. We show up. Lots of time to spare. Show the seat numbers to the usher. She ushers us in. Seats taken. Not many in. Then a couple appear at our sides. We’re in their seats. How is that possible? Computer ticketing error obviously!
Seems like we did have lots of time to spare. As in one week!
Rita, the very helpful site receptionist, informs 2 Cheeses there’s a four day Medieval Festival in progress in downtown Guimarães. There’ll be street performers, traditional food stalls and lots to see and do.
When she says downtown, she literally means downtown. There’s only one sensible way down. By cable car.
The town of Guimarães preceded the founding of Portugal and is considered the ‘cradle of the Portuguese nationality’. A good reason to hold a party.
Apart from a few stalls that are open and trading today, the surrounding streets are all in busy preparation. Appears the festival starts tomorrow!
So we do what we usually do. Go visit a church. This one a little unusual. Built around the end of the 15thC, supported the cult of the Brotherhood of the Shoemakers. Work that one out. Perhaps they were peacekeepers. Called upon to quietly put the boot in should anyone be causing trouble.
The old town may be medieval, but it can still suffer from this modern day disease.
This mini-mount on which the sanctuary and Penha Campismo sit, is strewn with ginormous granite boulders. Often used as shelters during the Copper and Bronze ages.
