I don't know how I missed your arrival.
aaah but I have used one of my tricks, of course!
Much probably the castle that you have visited near Portimão, was Silves one. A red castle, with a theathre medieval space, which is not that common here.
I consider you lucky by having visited the Paderne castle, since it's not that known, and although is not that well kept, it's still an important piece of history, which is not very well supported in that region.
It's a pitty that you couldn't have visited the castles in the north of Portugal...such beautiful things, always with a mystic atmosphere inside them, in the land around them, and specially in the views you have from the castle.
And like you said: Playmobil stored away for years doesn't do any harm, and.......you always get the surprise about things you have already forgotten, and didn't know you have them