Yes. I have often used this saying and now I was presented with a perfect opportunity to use it in the right surrounds. Although there were no french or british people around to play the parts. So I just stood atop a Moorish castle in Portugal reciting Monty Python to myself. But I was not the weirdest person there by a long shot.

But first …. lets track back a little.

We are still in Sintra …. but this historical site needed its own blog focus.

It all started from Penna Palace …… you could see the Moorish castle in the distance ….. yes on top of another steep hill.

And yes we had to walk there …….

But I had a cunning plan … I looked at a map a few hours ago … and I said to Kylie … I think I know a shortcut. And for anyone who has been with me before when I utter those words they will know it ends in disaster. We walked up … down … back up again … and yes down again …. until we even came close to an entrance gate for the castle … which was really only an entrance to the beginning of another steep path to the castle.

But I cannot accept the full blame. I blame the yellow raincoat family

I mean with safety …. and we know where we are going ……. screaming out at you with 3 yellow raincoats … why wouldnt you follow them. Turns out they were nature lovers walking around the park. Oh well !!

Now back to the Moorish castle ……. I will not share the full Moorish history in Portugal with you, but if you have time please research it. You might be able to explain to me because the castle trip was not a history lesson.

Why you ask … Well before I reach the interesting part … yes this is my longest blog .. ok some will be tempted to comment and say the most boring blog …. but wait ……..  after these next photos it does get interesting.

Ok … so now the interesting part … or weird part …. or just …. is this really happening part.

So we paid our euros to embrace history in the Moorish castle …. nothing was said … but I somehow feel there was portugese sniggering going on behind our backs as we walked away from the gate. I am sure he said …. I blow my nose at you, so-called Arthur King, you and your silly English Knnniggets. (another one for the Pythons fans)

Anyway, the reason for the carry on … when we reach the top we discover nearly 100+ amatuer photographers and models doing fashion shoots in the freezing cold wind. Here are a couple of photos. I have not shared them all because there was many a strange folk …in many a strange dress … and many sleeezy looking photographers. Not making for tasteful viewing or blogging.

But the finishing touch to this historical visit was ……….. there was music playing loudly in the main castle section. And we decided it was time to leave when we spotted the band set up. I was not hanging around to listen to a set from the tribute band … Check the drum kit and you will know what I mean. We charged down the hill on our trusty steeds ……. Ok so we were banging two halves of a coconut together.

This post is dedicated to Patsy ….. Some fans will get it.

 

 

Farewell thee Moorish castle.