Onto Lisbon and Portugal

11 January last day in Lisbon so both up early and after breakfast went for a walk around to check out last minute shopping. Nothing open so missed the opportunity. 

10 January. Decided on later start and breakfast was depleted. Caught the 28 tram to the end of the line then wandered around finding the walls and castle of San Jorge. Finally made our way to the entrance and decided would not go in but went up the church tower to see amazing views. More wandering past castle walls and we eventually were back at the hotel. After a cuppa we set off for the museum of contemporary art. Well we were amazed but the Sarah Affroso exhibition was interesting. More following our noses and we found amorino for an ice cream stop. Onto the queue for the Santa Justa Elevador and an hour later we were up the top. Spectacular views and we could just see the moon rising. We raced down to the waterfront and took photos of the sunset and rising moon. Back to the hotel and a decision to go back to the same restaurant for dinner. We tried the goat cheese, honey and walnuts, then the asparagus risotto for main. Delicisio. More taking in the sights and a stop in Ale-Hop (chain store). Back to the hotel and packing commenced. We had not bought as much as expected. A late night as both reading.

All in all our Lisbon passes were worth it but so many museums and very specific in lots of ways. 

9 January. An early start and a walk to Rossi station to catch the train to Sintra. We were earlier than expected. Started our Lisboa card at 9.00. An interesting train trip thru the burbs to Sintra and accosted at station by all the tour guides. Found the bus ticket and hoped on the bus to Pena Palace. Inspiring colours and tiny rooms this was restored by a former king. The outside is almost as colourful as the inside. Fog ruined the views. Onto the bus again to Sintra village was next stop. We went through the national palace and it was a very well organised space but funny with every room a different floor level and ceiling height. Next tourist stop was the Sintra myths and legends which was an automatic GPS activated story through five levels of the building. Interesting also. A lunch stop of baguette, milk tarts and coffee. Bus back to station then train to town. On our way back we stopped at dama e vagabond (lady & the tramp) for dinner. An early night was called for. 

8 January: today was our booked trip so a walk to the Hard Rock Cafe was the start. 

Batalha is a church site. Built for the memory of the war against Spain over 200 years ago. Very plain church, a unesco site but unfinished towers on part of the building. 

Nazere was lunch stop. Famous for giant waves, fusing in the past and an old legend linking to Virgin Mary. 

Next stop was obidos a walled city and UNESCO city of literature. It was also to try ginja the national liquor. An amazing walk around more cobbled streets and tiny shops and houses. The fog hit as we left so the pleasant views were misted out. 

Once back in Lisbon we went to have gelato and coffee in the plaza Comércio. A good dinner. 

Fatima shrine

13 May 1917 to three shepherds saw Virgin Mary. 

Tour with Miguel. Have a great history of Portugal and Fatima shrine. Was an expansive place but felt very divorced from the miracle of the vision. Found cheap coffee and nice coffee cloth to buy. 

7 January first day Lisbon card. We got started with riding the tram the wrong way but that was okay and eventually got to Belém where we wandered past the modern art gallery and along the foreshore you Belém tower. We went in as it was free with our pass. A stunning place it must have been. Along the foreshore and we found the monastery of Jerome was our next free stop. Well organised tour. Along to the archeology museum as part of our ticket. Lunch was pastries and cod cakes at the pastries de Belém. Pilar 7 was the next stop about building the suspension bridge and a great view from the top of the elevator. Back to town, did the Lisbon story and dinner of kebabs. A good day and great use of our time. 

7 January: a hard nights sleep as the bed is not that comfy for me. A nice breakfast in the hotel and then off to the comercio plaza to catch the tram to Belem but unfortunately we went the wrong way first. Still a good use for our Lisboa ticket. Got to be

Me and walked around the contemporary art museum to the tower of Belem where we went in for free. 

6 January: breakfast at the Gatwick hotel then over to catch our flight which was delayed about an hour. Arrived Lisbon, collected bags and got a Uber to our hotel. Settled in and then walked up through the old town to find the info centre to get our Lisbon tickets. Back to the plaza  Comércio for dinner. 

View towards castle St Jorge

Last nights sunset

Kent and Environs

5 January: up early and packed. Watched Sanditon with Stephanie and Virginia while Luke and Mark were at his rugby training. Macaroni for lunch and then Mark took us to the hotel at Gatwick. Had a small dinner in the hotel and a repackaging to take only two suitcases with us. 

4 January: early start for Stephanie to return the car. We walked into town again and did shopping then after lunch we went to Walmer castle. An interesting space as it was all circular. Interesting gardens used by the queen mother. A drive along to Deal and we walked out to the end of the pier and had coffee while in Deal. Home to pack. 

3 January; walked to town with Holly and Ayo to see canterbury tales. It was really good and funny. Had cream tea at tiny Tim’s tea shop with princess Charlotte and prince Louis teas. Walked to view the cathedral to view. Then home to go out for lunch at Chilham but the wool pack was booked out. Had a walk around and then drove to the Granville in lower Hadres. 

2 January: visited Scotney Castle. A delightful place with a ruined castle in the grounds.

Bodiam Castle was next on the tour and this castle was destroyed but left as a shell. Rye was the next destination and it was lovely to walk around. Went into the church and also the lookout. Weather was good but still couldn’t see France. Home again and nachos for tea. An earlish night. 

1 January: visited Dover for a walk along the cliffs but too wet. Want to the castle which was a good trip once again. We watched the fog roll in and completely cover us in. Dinner was hotpot and veges. An earlier night which was good. 

Castles and beaches

Christmas day was exciting with lots of present unwrapping and even Emma got into the act with tearing open the paper. I was spoilt with gifts from Virginia and Mark as well as the children gave me a present - a felt kit to make cake pincushions. (NB: I have already started the first one). Santa also left a big bag of chocolates and little gifts for myself and Stephanie. I have it on good authority that Santa is a big choclate fan.


Luke and Callum waiting with anticipation for more presents.



Boxing Day saw us pack the car and head off to Leeds Castle. Virginia informed us as we got there that we would be doing the Christmas trail - a scavenger hunt for clues to a fairytale and then we could have fun in the play area. The treasure hunt did not include the tour of the castle which was a side trip but the castle was beautifully decorated for christmas with a chocolate room, swanlake room and even an ice queen in the bathroom. Most fun was had in the big kids play area with Mark spinning the merry go round for Callum, Luke and myself.



Today we went to look at the beach at Whitstable via Chilhum. Chilhum is a village that appears in a number of movies and television series as it is very pictureseque and good for filming period pieces. The church at Chilhum was lovely and very majestic despite its tiny size. Also straight onto the market square is the required stately home which has its gardens open during the summer for people to visit. Houses all around were decorated for christmas as well. We got to Whitstable and walked down to the harbour then along the main road where we saw a number of shops open with sale items. On the way back we walked along the beach front (typical english beach with no sand just stones) with a stop for hot chips at the harbour, then more beachside walking until we passed all the beach huts. (£20000 these will sell for). Back home again and roast lamb for dinner tonight. Yumm!!



Stephanie and Virginia at the beach in Whitstable