Last day and last post

After 10 weeks, my time here is done. Spent last night with Fi and was first time we were alone for some time, so we revelled.

Mandatory catch up at Davy's, then I cooked Beef Wellington and all trimmings.

Yummy dinner

Fully sated we played music and chatted until wee hours.

Up today to pack and Fi has day off. Been a hoot and until I return ciao.

London on foot

With my holiday winding down it was time to do a bit of London. Met Fi for lunch in Paddington then I wandered off through Hyde Park back towards Westminter. Glorious day and lots of people enjoying the first days of Autumn.

Serpentine with some strange installation

Continued on my way and then added St James Park into my travels. Stopped for a rest there and then made my way back towards Buckingham Palace Road.

Westminster Cathedral

Caught up with Leann's friend Meghan at B Bar where the others all assembled for dinner. Nice evening and then it was a tube and train home for a well needed rest. Managed 16,000 steps in my afternoon wanderings so today I am catching up here.

Last 2 days of holidays now but I have decided to come back for Xmas. Not sure what I am thinking but if there is a chance of a white one then it may be ok!

Porto to London

Up Saturday saw Dave and I separate from the girls who had decided that retail therapy was in order. So off we wandered around Porto enjoying a random explore. As you can imagine in a nation that is over 85% catholic there were plenty of churches.

We looked in a couple and found this one St Benedict Victory.

St Benedict Victory

From there we meandered around and saw huge lines outside the bookshop which was some inspiration for JK Rowling for Harry Potter. Not sure the owner has sold a book in years but coining it charging the queues of people 4 Euro to enter! He/She should thank her everyday.

The other inspiration we saw was groups of students wanderin around in diffeent colours being chaperoned by older students with the capes on. Can see how she got the idea for Hogwarts.

Besides that, Porto architecture is amazing with rows of tiled houses, some in absolute mint condition.

Tiled buildings

So after our meander we met the girls at a small restaurant for a latish lunch and from there they went on to more retail therapy, whilst Dave and I had a beer then made our way back down exploring nooks and crannys.

A refreshment stop for a wine brought us home where we met up. Our last night was spent overlooking the river for dinner, and the company was fantastic.

Bern and Sangria

Back to the fantastic apartment for some late night chats saw us up on Sunday to come home. Sadly we left Dave and Bern, and made our way to airport for 2 hour flight back to London.

Arrived to cold London day after a week in sun, so had to stop at Davys before arriving home. Leann had her mother and niece come in the morning from South Africa and they were out. They arrived back late and after a quick catch up it was off to a welcome bed.

Fi has gone off to work, the South Africans have gone for a walk, and I am revelling in peace. Guess it will ramp up a bit later and looking foward to a home cooked meal tonight.

Porto days

Porto is wonderful and we have done A fair bit in our days. Walked the river and crossed the beautiful old Luis I bridge on top and bottom.

Luis I bridge

Had lunch on water on day 1, well on day 2 as well! Wednesday night we went to ritzy restaurant Vinum on the hill overlooking Porto. Sumptuous food and naturally had some port.

Small port

Found a Fado restaurant Thursday night and it was an exhilarating experience. The first singer Maria was good, then we were treated to a young guy whose voice was sublime. Could make you cry with his plaintive notes.

Could not understand but did not need to.

Fado night

In any case we spent yesterday on personal wine tour up Douro valley with just us 4, as the boys had gone on to Munich.

Spectacular vineyards and brilliant wines. Great day was had and our guide was so good.

Drouro valley vineyards

A little weary by the time we got home so spent night in. Saturday here so will see how it pans out.

Cascais to Porto

Well Finally and I are on the train to Porto, so I can catch up with the blog.

Cascais was great although our accommodation was not up to scratch. More a glorified backpackers than what we thought. Although we had our own bathroom, the bath was under a roof line so could not stand for shower.

In any case we did second day in Lisbon and it was lovely.

Lisbon

After the day doing the sights we returned to Cascais for second evening and another scrumptious meal in traditional Portuguese style.

Up on Monday, it was time to do Cascais properly. We did long day of walking managing 24,000 steps. Not bad considering it was a glorified pub crawl.

Down first to Boca Do Inferno, which is a natural rock formation.

Boca Do Inferno

Back around town and saw great architecture of the area.

Settled down in afternoon with sangria at a cute bar, before heading home.

Sunshine Sangria

Out for dinner at the Marina after we had a sundowner at the posh Farol Hotel overlooking the Atlantic.

After dinner a couple more then it was up to make our way to Lisbon for the 3 hour train trip to Porto.

Got here and apartment is spectacular overlooking the square and sumptuously appointed. What a change from Cascais.

View from balcony

Bern was there to meet us and later Dave and the boys joined us before we head out for dinner.

Up this morning with no plans except to explore.

Cascais and Lisbon quick post

Fi and I flew out to Lisbon on Saturday morning and arrived in Portugal. No car waiting, so cabbed to Cascais.

Quaint accommodation and then in Arco we did a quick recce.

Cascais frontage

Beautiful place and after a sower we found a traditional restaurant close and dined on prawns and pork scallops.

Lisbon yesterday and lots to say but will need better wi Fi.

The bridge

Will do a big update when able, but we have a day exploring before we head to Porto.

Days with Sam

My nephew Sam arrived Monday afternoon after nearly 6 months travel through most of Southern Europe. After he dropped his kit we wandered off into Greenwich town to get his bearings.

Did a quick tour then it was a chat at the Richard III pub.

Sam relaxing

Made our way slowly home via another couple of establishments to await the arrival of the girls. They duly came home and we all sat up and chatted for some time. Dinner occurred somewhere in that  and finally we all tottered off to bed.

Up Tuesday and Sam and I decided on a walk around Greenwich Park. Did the full circuit and enjoyed the scenery, although no deer could be seen, and chats.

View from observatory over Queens House

In any case decided on a lamb roast for dinner so we picked up the fixings and returned home. Sam stepped out to see a mate and I dutifully did a smash up roast with all trimmings. Girls got home but no Sam!

We 3 ended up eating at 8.30 before Sam made his way back and had his heated up! In any case he had a great time.

He was leaving on the Wednesday night so a quick tour of Canary wharf then into town for the Borough Markets. I left him to see some girls he worked with in Australia for lunch and made way home.

Sam took off last night and today sees me tidying up and now in preparation for Fi and I to go to Portugal on Saturday for 8 nights.

Tchau