Date: 14th August 2019
Travelled: 130 kms from Moimenta da Beira to Almeida both in the Province of Beira
Visited: The stone villages of Sernancelhe, Penedono and Marialva
Stayed: Almeida municipal aire, free all service + E. N40.72910, W06.90147
Budget: 66 days @ โฌ79 per day
We wake to the sound of a carillon bells echoing across the lake. We cannot see a church, but we can hear its bells. The sun is just coming up over the hill behind us and the weather app confirms is will be hot today.
We have a coffee and plan our day, which as usual isnโt much of a plan. Our guide refers to a series of isolated stone villages in the eastern Beira. I marked them out some months ago after ready an article in the Weekend Australian. After looking at our road atlas we decide to let the GPS decide the route and we get the Hymer ready to roll.
Made the mistake of driving up through the village to the main road. 
Take our advise, donโt get stuck behind the bread man it can be a slow trip.
Map of Portugal, the icon on the village of Sernancelhe.
Great more steps… 
We find the tourist office, procured a map and set off. This small park is on the Praรงa Repรบblica.
The Igreja Romรขnica de Sernancelhe. 
Dedicated in 1172, the murals date to the 16th century.
Finally Pam insists we climb the Porta do Sol. At the top there are some ruins of a lost Castelo. 
Looking back down on Sernancelhe.
Thatโs Sernancelhe done, we find a small supermarket for a bag of ice and some shade for coffee before driving on for the village of Penedono.
Map showing Penedono
We luckily find a shady parking spot opposite this small park full of lavender. 
We walk up toward the Castelo only to find the tourist office closed for the long lunch.
The Castelo dates to the 13th century. 
The battlements are all accessible and given OHS isnโt a Portuguese strong point thereโs no fussing with handrails unless the fall is over 6m.
So we seem to have done Penedono as best we can. The Hymer is still sitting in the shade thank goodness as we roll out of the village the GPS set for Marialva about 45 minutes away.
Map showing Marialva, Portugal.
Its mid-afternoon and very hot by this stage, however there is a nice breeze. We find some shade in a small car-park next to a sporting pitch, park the Hymer and have a rest for 90 minutes.
The village centre is small just a tavern and a small corner shop. The 12th century Castelo dominates the crest of the hill. 
We pay the entry fee (โฌ1.50pp) and go exploring. We look for the best views with some shade as we do.
We decide to continue on. We would normally be happy to stop for the night but given the heat we decide to drive on for another hour or so till the sun is setting. Our data-base shows an aire with services at Almeida. As we plan on Spain and Salamanca tomorrow, Almeida is on the way.
Michael and Pam
