Querença Chorizo Festival

Today we headed into the mountains to attend the annual chorizo (home-made sausage…..lots of paprika).  São Luís is the town’s (Querença) patron saint of animals, and the festival evolved from the tradition whereby locals offer gifts of homemade chorizos in exchange for the saint’s protection of their livestock.  I love this kind of thing and am so happy that it continues in many places in Europe.  In my many travels in Italy I have stumbled on many of them….my favourite being a chestnut festival in the town of Soriano nel Cimino!!!

The festival was to start at 11h00 and we arrived around 11h45.  It wasn’t as well attended as last year, and a few less vendors, but nonetheless…..we four Canadians thoroughly enjoyed it.

This gorgeous datura was in bloom with hundreds of large fist sized flowers. They always look so proud to me, as if they are holding their heads high.

A large banner on the church wall.

I love this old chimney which is on one of the buildings in the main square.

This was when we first arrived, it was packed later. Standing room only.

Another perspective on the main square.

Loads of bike clubs in attendance, almost every colour your can imagine. I thought this was pretty colourful.

A display of chorizo for sale.

I love this long road up to the cemetery. A walk for me for another day.

This just captivated me with colour and angles and beauty.

She must be exhausted this evening from weighing and selling all her wares.

Trying to capture |Marc’s eye and entice him.

If I had a dime for each one of these grilled today, I would be a wealthy man.

We enjoyed a stroll through town, checking out a few side roads, country paths and the occasional interaction with locals before getting in our respective line-ups for food.

My three chums…….great travelling companions and adventure lovers.

A lovely bougainvilla lovingly planted and tended beside the kitchen window.

Many of the trees still contained olives, which surprised me as they tend to pick and use everything and most of them have been harvested.

A little wood nymph watching us from her forest path.

And here, a little lavender nymph!!!!!

These girls were so cute, posing for Momma and having a great time together.

I did stick my bum into the photo but got it out before anybody could take a snap!! A boy’s gotta have some pride!

We enjoyed a lovely stroll all down this path and around the lower section of the town.

On that path.

A gorgeous blooming shrimp plant.

The line up for food was quite long, and not well organized but who cares.  The objective was to mingle, have fun. people watch, eat good food and eventually we got to that.  Pat, Gary and I had chorizo on bread while Marc opted for chicken.  That meant two different lines, in two very different areas but as fate would have it, we all got our food within minutes of each other and found a ledge on the church wall that wasn’t occupied and enjoyed our meals.

Finger licking good!!!!

As you know, I don’t have a sweet tooth but this orange loaf caught my eye. I had to take a photo to share it with those of you that love sweet things.

We were all in summer clothing and the locals must think of nuts. Here is a sample of a local woman and her idea of appropriate attire for the day!!

A look down on one of the four dessert tables. Sold by the slice.

A shot just before we were leaving. I think that São Luís was a happy man today and the livestock are good for another year……except for those that gave it up for the chorizo!!!!

A wonderful time had by all.  Sadly Gary is coming down with some sort of bug and has been tucked in bed since arriving home.  Marc, Patricia and I have just finished a lovely risotto (I was on cooking duty) and now the final sips of vino, the mellow jazz and the stillness of night keep us company…….until tomorrow.