Barca D’Alva and a wee bit of Lemon juice and a ton of whiskey!

/ 3sistersabroad

The afternoon after our jumper shopping expedition in Regua we set sail for  the town of Barca D’Alva.  The following day we would be heading to Salamanca.  Some of us went to the  top deck to see the 3 bridges in all their glory.  The sun was shinning.  Yet the wind chill factor must have been below 0 celsius.  I could feel my chest tightening.  This wasn’t good.

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The view from the top deck – Sun is out but its cold.   The Aussies have the jackets on!

 

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The  bridges of Regua.

Then it began to rain so we went downstairs to the lounge where it was warm.  I thought a hot toddy might help, so I asked the bar staff to whip one up.  My version is fresh lemon juice, honey, whisky,  boiling water and I would put a panadol in it.

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My savior drink – whiskey, honey lemon juice and a panadol

My asthma had been bad and knew if I didn’t rest I would get very sick.  Having a lung condition along with chronic asthma wasn’t helping.  So off to our cabin and to bed to rest.  I stayed in our room while Muriel went to  dinner with our new found friends.

In Regua they make delicious  honey and lemon sweets.  Our cruise director purchased quite a few bags for everyone.   Brilliant.  Before I headed to our cabin I grabbed a bag of these wonderful sweets.

I ordered my meal, soup, hot chips and a hot lemon drink.  Our butler Alexandria delivered my meal to my room.  Those chips gluten free hand cut and cooked in a separate fryer.  The soup a vegetable broth.  My hot lemon drink, 3/4 of whiskey, lemon juice and honey.

I had made a decision not to go with everyone to Salamanca based on the weather.  It had turned quite nasty and the way I was feeling I couldn’t risk it.  When the crew told me that Salamanca was always windy and with the cold spell it would be a bit risky, I knew I was right in staying on board.

 

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My dinner – soup and chips and tea.

 

As you have already read Muriel did the blog justice with her photos and the blog on Salamanca Spain.

 

Those heading to Salamanca had an early breakfast as they were leaving the ship at 8am.

I headed to the restaurant once they had all left and discovered there were 5 others who had made the same decision.

As most of the passengers were on an excursion for the whole day, it was traditional for the staff to all have breakfast together.  How lovely they all had time off and a chance to chat and have some fun.

Around 10am I thought a quick walk around Baca D”Alva would be good for the soul.   What a treasure trove.

This was the real Portugal where shops and restaurants open later in the morning.  I found a tiny general store open.  It had everything from vegetables to frozen goods to souvenir’s.  The store was busy with tourists.  There is a train station which still has some original blue and white tiles on the walls.  The station was operated between 1887 and 1988. This line connected Baca D’Alva with Porto. The Douro line is only open until Pocinho.

I didn’t make it to the station however I did walk under the line and the tunnel was decked out in wall art.

The photo of the blue and white tile with the train in the main picture was right by the tunnel.

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The wall art in the tunnel

 

 

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The wall art in the tunnel

 

 

If i hadn’t been sick this amazing village would have just been a name.

Baca D’Alva is the richest region that produces wine in Portugal.  As well as wine you will find Olive Groves, Almond trees and Oranges.

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Olive grove

 

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Behind these gate a orange orchid and olive grove

 

Walking back  to the ship I passed the baker doing his deliveries to the cafes and restaurants that would open at noon.

It was raining the whole time I walked around Baca D’Alva.  These dogs taking cover from the rain in the bus shelter.

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Dogs being dogs – taking refuge in a bus shelter from the rain

 

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Raining yet the locals put their washing out in the hope it will dry

 

 

Lunch on board the ship I had chicken and vegetables.  Good basic food when your not feeling wonderful.  Can you see the round pill container near the plate.  One of my  souvenir’s of Portugal! Those of us who had stayed on board sat together for lunch.  We had a lovely time even though we all were feeling a bit under the weather.

 

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I had more of those wonderful lemon and whiskey drinks.  If you ask me I think it was those drinks along with the sweets and the drugs – antibiotics, prednisolone.  My doctors will not let me travel unless I have these medications/drugs.

After lunch our ship would move from Baca D’Alva to Vege de Terron.  All of those who had gone to Salamanca would re board the ship there.  Yes Baca D’Alva is just a name to them.

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The view from our deck

 

I lay down  on my bed with the curtains opened wide and watched the amazing scenery as our ship changed ports.  My bed I raised the part where my head would lay.  Very important when you have a chest infection and asthma.

 

Those that went  to Salamanca arrived back around 6pm.  It had been a fun and restful day for me.  I think poor Muriel was so tired.  It had been a long day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 thoughts on “Barca D’Alva and a wee bit of Lemon juice and a ton of whiskey!”

  4. I am sorry to read you weren’t feeling well for this part of the trip but I am glad there were lots of honey, lemon juice and whiskey to help you feel better! I love the photos you took from the town.

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  6. I’m glad that you enjoyed your stay on the boat. When I went river cruising with my Mum there were a couple of times that we decided not to go on the planned tour and stayed in the local town – those times were always better than what we missed out on. Doing things at your own pace, enjoying strolling along and popping into shops etc – wonderful memories! And a good rest for you!
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. You had me at “a ton of whisky”. Seriously though, such a shame you got sick, but lucky that you were able to take time out – even though it meant you missed out. I’m typing this with a late winter head cold and a very inconvenient bout of asthma so I can identify. And yes, I too treat it with whisky. #MLSTL

    Liked by 1 person

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