At 12pm the 50% mark of our trip ticked over. We celebrated in a park with a large, cold glass of StrongBow Cider. Later, Jane added to the celebrations with a wine from a vendor, “Wine with a View”. Today was about exploring Lisbon by using the Hop On Off bus which we did numerous times so as to walk to see the places of interest for us. We definitely put the kilometres into our legs today. Again, the sun shone strong and with the light coloured cobblestones, predominantly white walls of buildings the heat was definitely felt. The numerous parks with their large foliaged trees are many and not only do they add beauty to the city but give relief from the sun. From the “Parque Eduarde VII” we had a superb view to the ... read more

Coastal Cliff Walk.... read more

Today we said “Hello” to Portugal and to the small city of Faro, the capital of southern Portugal’s Algarve region, on the coast. Our bus trip, even though only short, stopped at a number of small towns, which gave us an insight into the south western part of Spain before entering Portugal. Coming into Faro it was hills and valleys covered in vegetation or crops of oranges, vines or vegetable crops. After walking around for quite a while, as well as t...aking an hour’s small boat trip out onto the Ria Formosa lagoon in the early evening, we were able to see that the dunes had created small islands and little peninsulas that protected a large area of marshes, channels and islets. Local fishermen were spotted out as well as an oyster farm. A sandy shoreline ... read more

We took an early morning ‘side trip’ to Cordoba (a place that Jane has wanted to visit since I have known her), which resulted in a guided tour of the majestic Alcazar of the Catholic Kings and its purely magnificent gardens (as they all happen to be here in Spain), the Jewish quarter, Synagogue, and the monumental site of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. The majority of side streets that we walked were flower lined and our senses were enjoying a high with va...rious aromas wafting through the air. We did, as usual, try the local cuisine. The photos of inside the Mosque-Cathedral, with all its long history, do not satisfactorily convey the vastness or skilled architecture / engineering of the place. It is an exceptional monument, still in everyday use for religious purposes, and to an ... read more

We: walked freely – used a ‘Hop On’ bus – walked freely – lunched magnificently – did a sensational guided walk – walked freely – rested – ice creamed - did an insightful, enjoyable, informative night guided walk – walked quickly and freely – dined and wined and laughed and conversed in a multitude of languages including sign - made new friends – reflected on what travel is to us, emotionally – showered - rested. A very fulfilling and definitely memorable day to say the least. Absolutely loved it.... read more