Hello, and welcome to my blog :)
I've mentioned here before, my profession allows me the freedom to explore many places. It's amazing how, even near our home and workplace, there are such beautiful spots that we completely overlook. One of these days, I had to visit a client in Penafiel. This time, I didn't use GPS or take the highway. I followed the national road and let myself be guided by the old signs indicating the way. I ended up in the peaceful village of Senhora do Monte. The first thing I noticed was the Chapel of Senhora do Monte, incredibly beautiful and very well maintained.
I parked the car and took a walk to get a better look. There was a lovely lady there, 85 years old, who said to me: "You know, young lady, this chapel is over 400 years old! It's cherished by all of us here, that's why it looks so beautiful!" I could see the pride and sparkle in her eyes. I continued my journey and noticed I was close to Quinta da Aveleda. It's a 150-year-old estate originally created for wine production, and today its wines are distributed in about 70 countries. It's a beautiful place, with its gardens, tea house, threshing floor, cellar, and it's been on our list to visit for some time. However, it requires a prior booking, and considering the uncertain weather around here, it's probably better to wait for Spring or Summer.
The surrounding nature is stunning, and as you can see from the photos, the streets are lined with tall trees. I spotted a small entrance and, true to my nature, curiosity got the best of me 😊 I saw some peacocks in the distance and really wanted to take some photos, until a security guard told me I was on private property and kindly asked me to leave.
I still managed to capture the moment, thanked them, and left. Continuing towards the city center, I found some benches covered in moss. When I was a kid, this was something you could find anywhere, especially around Christmas when I'd gather it for the nativity scene. We'd use the moss to decorate the base with figurines.
Nowadays, it's something you hardly see along the roads. It felt like a scene from a movie. You know those places you pass by, and with the right lighting, they seem magical? That's exactly how I felt about these roads. The visit didn't end there, and I have much more to show. Every time the hustle and bustle of daily life is interrupted by moments like these, I gain a new lease on the day or even the week. I hope you enjoyed it! Be happy 😊
See you around.
Wishing you much peace and health
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