Saturday 5th October 2024

Breakfast around the corner at our little café that opens before 9.00 am, or in some cases 12.00. No real coffee culture here and the Lads are suffering. All are now down to about one set of clothes and some urgent laundry will need to be done in Lisbon. Woody helpfully suggested that Flashy could always wear his dinner suit.

The train trip to Lisbon was quite good as we had secured the last seats in first class. A group of Canadians came late to our carriage, only to discover another party seated in their seats. After some polite discussion and the intervention of the conductor, it appeared that the seated passengers had booked the wrong day (yesterday!) After finding temporary seats and then seats in the dining car, he informed the poor sod that he could have kicked him off the train, then helped him with his heavy bag, after informing him that it wasn’t his job to do that. If you are going to do something, do it in good grace. Other than that amusement, we had a relaxed 3.5 hour trip through the economically poor Portuguese countryside.

Lisbon is a different kettle of fish to Porto. Bigger, flatter and many more tourists – everywhere. We’re in the Pestana Hotel on the river. The only accommodation available due to the Portuguese Marathon being run tomorrow. People everywhere and streets about to be closed. Check in.  Free beer in bar. A walk to find food.

We hadn’t gone more than a few meters up the tourist/restaurant street when some dodgy bloke asks Christopher, “You want coke?” This happened about 10 times in less than five minutes. If they asked Flashy, he’d say, “No thanks mate, I’m a Pepsi fan myself.” After that, we played spot the dealer.

Dinner was in Bonjardim Restaurant. It’s been there since 1950 and serves mainly peri peri chicken. The line up to get in was considerable but we were patient. It was worth it, with moist, spicy chicken, chips and salad. A few wines at a couple of bars on the way home, more spot the dealer games and home to bed at 9.30 pm. They do eat at normal times here. Well, at least the tourists do!

Thirsty work.
Lots of statues in Lisbon.



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