We are in the Algarve region of Portugal which is as far south as you can go. Today we traveled the area with Isabel and discovered that in Portugal, history is very very long and those historical persons of importance retain their importance. Whereas for us, George and Thomas are important but we have pretty much forgotten all that they tried to do for us. When Isabel spoke of Henry and his school, it took me a moment to realize she was referring to Henry the Navigator. This morning we visited the area of his fort and home where he held his “school.” School meaning that people who were interested in navigation, currents, routes, would get together and discuss and share what they knew. What a great idea of school! We all have something to share.
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| Henry the Navigator’s fort and long ago home & school |
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| Entrance to the fort of Prince Henry the Navigator |
The coast itself is ruggedly handsome and it was hard for me to visualize how pirates landed anywhere, went on shore and attacked villages. I’m sure they did but it was no easy task. They were tough guys! Getting out of port didn’t seem any easier but Henry helped them all do it and he brought in thousands for the treasury of the Portuguese nation.
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| Where to land, where to land?? |
Speaking of tough guys, the surfers in this area are pretty determined and persistent too. The waters are beautiful and freezing cold but no one seems daunted by that. All along the route to the tip at St. Vincente we passed surfers.
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