Yesterday, and on the recommendation of our Sintra taxi driver, we took the train to Cascais and feel very smug about our mastery of the public transport system. To quote a meercat, ‘it was simples’.
The train took us along the river, out to the coast and we had the loveliest day in the sunshine. Viv, an enthusiastic swimmer, was soon stripped down to her underwear and in the sea. The rest of us looked on with admiration as we paddled and declared our feet were cold.
We lingered over lunch and played cards in the sunshine – find a table and Viv can be relied upon to produce a card game to keep us entertained. Luckily our table was discreet and underwear was surreptitiously dried without embarrassment. At least, that’s what we told ourselves.
Back in Lisbon, we walked along Ribiera de Naus where it was party time. Live music and food stalls lined our riverside walk before reaching the painted stone sculptures at the edge of the Tagus. An ever-changing outdoor gallery built from balanced stones, highlighted with spray paint and nail polish, and carrying messages of respect. They frequently wash away or collapse with the tide and wind, only for the local artists, Miro and Pedro, to rebuild and repaint.
A short, uphill trek, past the Cathedral, and we reached the rooftop bar of the Hotel Memmo with views across the city and river. It was a beautiful setting to enjoy Porto tonico cocktails before the final stop of the day, Club de Fado for dinner and a live show.
Back at our apartment, a street party was in full swing so four sleepy travellers played cards until it quietened down at 1am. There is not one morsel of food, or even a pint of milk, in the apartment. The local supermarket has been closed each time we’ve needed it, no midnight snacks or wine for us!
braysabroad 