After a relatively easy 18km walk yesterday we enjoyed a rest day exploring Coimbra. Last night I decided to try a Portuguese speciality - sardines. Not a good choice. Even the smell was enough to put me off. Today we visited the old Coimbra University - the Royal Palace, chapel and amazing library. Two colonies of bags live in the library. They are let out each night to feast on the insects that like to feast on old paper. It's a symbiotic relationship between the bags which protect the books and the library. However, the staff have to cover the furniture with leather cloths to protect it from bat poo. Dinner tonight in a nearby restaurant where there was much laughter over the translation of some items. Nail on a Plate turned out to be steak egg and chips. Apple Pie, the desert of choice was a slice of pineapple. My steak, however, was cooked to perfection. Tomorrow we are off to Sernadela about 25kms away. Hopefully no rain.
Photos. Sardines anyone? A shop that sells only sardines including sardines with gold flakes. The convent and chapel of Santa Clara where Queen St Isabella is in a silver reliquary above the altar. Win in her happy place at the library. Scenes from Coimbra.
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