Mondego

On approaching the mouth of the Mondego, a frigate met us to say Sir Arthur Wellesley's army had landed in Mondego and pushed forward, and that Sir John Moore was to sail for Peniche, and there land on arrival.

The Autobiography of Liuetenant-General Sir Harry Smith, Baronet of Aliwal on the Sutlej, G. C. B. 1903

Join it in the pretty little town of Penacova, perched high above the Mondego as it winds through a steep valley, forested with oak, chestnut and eucalyptus.

Enjoy the Ride 2010

The Mondego reaches the ocean at the resort of Figueira da Foz with its Sahara-scale beach, casino and fine fish restaurants like Marveja (www. marveja.pt) in the seafront Buarcos neighborhood or the Forte de Santa Catarina, overlooking the river mouth.

Enjoy the Ride 2010

There are kayaks for hire in Penacova, which let you meander slowly down the Mondego toward Coimbra, but the view from the N110 road is also spectacular as it swings along the riverbank in a series of hear t-stopping bends.

Enjoy the Ride 2010

Rising high in the Serra da Estrela mountains, the Mondego has a special place in the hearts of Portuguese as the longest river that is entirely theirs, unlike the Tagus or Douro, whose waters they must share with Spain.

Enjoy the Ride 2010

Most of the retreating British and Portuguese Army had used a road to the east of Coimbra and so crossed the Mondego at a ford, but enough had been ordered to use the main road to send a steady stream of troops, guns, caissons and wagons across the Santa Clara bridge which led from Coimbra to its small suburb on the Mondego's southern bank where the new Convent of Saint Clara stood.

Sharpe's Escape Cornwell, Bernard 2003

Mass-na's army was now on the Mondego and the enemy was retreating towards Lisbon, but that still left the Marshal with other enemies.

Sharpe's Escape Cornwell, Bernard 2003

The sewer fell away, then ran to its outfall in the Mondego, but how far it fell, or how steeply, he could not tell.

Sharpe's Escape Cornwell, Bernard 2003

They used the small streets close to the bridge over the Mondego, and after a half-hour they encountered two Portuguese officers chalking up for their Battalion.

Sharpe's Escape Cornwell, Bernard 2003

He had chosen a strong position on the southern bank of the Mondego at the Ponte Murcella on the road to Coimbra.

Beyond the Sunrise Balogh, Mary 1992