Wed 4 Jun-

Wed 4 Jun- it was a cloudy cool day, threatening rain, we we had the buffet breakfast and did some Internet work. It didn't rain, and started clearing, so we decided to visit the Roman ruins in Conimbriga, 25 km from Coimbra. They are reportedly the best Roman ruins in Portugal, perhaps on the Iberian peninsula. The associated museum 'Museu Monografico e Ruinas de Conimbriga' was an excellent introduction to the site, displaying many artifacts recovered from the site, and arranged in order of their use, so similar items were together. We were once again amazed at all the items we think of as modern being used by the Romans 2000 years ago, and more. It was a very rewarding outing, and we appreciated the cool cloudy weather, because there was no shade at the ruins. The GPS didn't seem to know about the ruins as an attraction or city, but fortunately there were plenty of road signs to guide us.
After that, we decided to visit one more site listed on the Coimbra tourist map, the 'Mata do Choupal'. It turned out to be a national forest preserve, and was a really lovely woods/forest along the river. We would have appreciated a little sun here, but it was a quiet, cool walk with hardly anyone else around.
Back to the hotel, and out for dinner to our favorite 'Adega Funchal': 1//2 bottle Uniao Beira Alta white wine; 'soupa da dia', a nice vegetable soup (we really miss vegetables here!); 'Sardinhas Assado' (sardines, broiled, with boiled potatos, roasted green pepper and salad) E8; 'Bifinhos de Peru with mushrooms, potato chips and salad (veal fillets) E7.50; 'Delicia da Casa (layer cake with chocolate, whip cream and yellow cake dessert) E2.00. The total was E22, a real bargain for the quality and quantity - the fish was fresh and cooked just right, the veal was tender and in a very tasty sauce, the wine was fine, the dessert was delicious, the service was friendly and helpful.