Where shall we go?

Being country folk, it’s a long time since we have visited a big city or had a city break, so what to do with a spare couple of hours?

By chance whist looking at Google maps in planing our journey to the hotel I had spotted an interesting museum to visit about 10 minutes from the hotel which appealed to both of us. So of we went. 

The museum has reproductions of a number of Banksy’s pieces with boards explaining the history etc. including many of his iconic rats, 

It was well worth going to and very surprising as Lisbon is not home to any Banksy’s.  We then went for a bit of a wander originally with the intension of finding a park, (we failed) but instead found a busy bar with serious storage for its beer, where we had a beer 

We then worked our way back to the hotel for a cuppa before heading out to a Lebanese restaurant I had also discovered by accident on Google maps, Zattaria was heaving on a Wednesday night but the found us a table, where we had a chicken bowl, of grilled chicken pieces, with tabbouleh, hummus, laben, Lebanese spiced fries and flatbread, with a side order of Mmmmuhamara the restaurant’s version of Muhammara, washed down with a glass or red for me and a Rosé.  We then popped into Lidl for supplies before returning to the hotel to sort out our stuff and go to bed.

Our journey to Lisbon

Our gate got called, and we headed off to embark, the plane was an Embraer 190 with only 106 seats, so we boarded quite quickly only to sit on the tarmac for over an hour as there was bad weather over Portugal affecting flights.  We eventually took off and had an uneventful flight bar a little turbulence.  Eventually arriving in Lisbon 30 mins after our scheduled time.  In the terminal building the was evidence of the affects of the recent power outages, with large corals of bags in a number of places, slowly being worked through by airport staff. 

I had worked out the route to our hotel, traveling by the metro from the airport ( a 20 min ride for 85pence) and then a five minute walk, (which took a bit longer as we set of in the wrongs direction!) eventually arriving at Hotel Canada.
After a cup,of tea, we set off to explore the city.

Waiting for our gate

The rest of our journey passed uneventfully, and we and the rest of our party (below) were able to enjoy the sights including this view of Ely

much enjoyed by Geo, George and Yorkie our Pilgrim bears. Going through London the train got busier and busier but eventually we got to Gatwick 10mins late, we then hopped on the airport shuttle to our hotel at the north terminal where we had supper and a pint and then an early night. The alarm went off at 6:25 and after a leisurely breakfast we headed to south terminal and after a small delay at check in, where I had a short chat with a TV camera man Who had filmed the series pilgrimage, from Porto to Fatima, we then whizzed through security and now await our gate opening 

next stop Lisbon!

We are on our way and hopefully there will be a flight tomorrow!

 It’s 1:20 in the afternoon and our train journey to Gatwick has begun.  We were up bright and early and by 8:45was at Jason our hairdressers having our hair cut, then it was home for breakfast and last minute packing, before catching the 12:50 from West Runton.

We will then change trains at Norwich to the Gatwick Express to Cambridge, and then on to a Thames link train all the way to Gatwick. 

Last night at about 11pm I received an e-mail from TAP (our airline) inviting me to check in for our flight so we took this as a good sign, and we have checked in and have our boarding cards, so fingers crossed. 🤞

Doesn't Lisbon Like Me?

 Last time I tried to visit Lisbon on an educational cruise in April 1974 this is what happened, and so we never got there.

It was the "Carnation Revolution", which overthrew the authoritarian dictatorship of the Estado Novo ("New State") which had governed Portugal since the 1920s.

A largely bloodless revolution, marked by the carnations that were placed in the rifles of the soldiers, it led to the successful establishment of democracy in Portugal and the integration of more than half-a-million "retornados" – returnees – Portuguese citizens from its former African colonies.

Now with two day go to my next proposed visit to Lisbon to stat the Camino Portuguese this happens

Spain and Portugal hit by huge power outage causing airports and transport to grind to a halt

Blackouts have been reported from Madrid to Lisbon affecting communications, airports, high-speed transport networks and roads. 

Vast areas of Spain and Portugal have been hit by a serious power outage, causing transport services to grind to a halt. 

Blackouts have been reported from Madrid to Lisbon affecting communications, airports, high-speed transport networks and roads after knocking out traffic lights and electric road signs.

Several subway cars in Lisbon were evacuated, reports said. Also in Portugal, courts stopped work and ATMs and electronic payment systems were affected. 

Traffic lights in Lisbon were down in the power outage.

It was not possible to make calls on mobile phone networks, though some apps were working.

Portuguese hospitals and other emergency services switched to generators.

Surrounding areas to Lisbon were affected, as well as northern and southern parts of the country.

We await to see what is going to happen, and if we can get to Lisbon on Thursday or not!! Watch this space!! 

Back on the Road again!

It's now April 2025, and thirteen years and eight months since we arrived in Santiago in October 2011.  

On Thursday 30th April, we start back on the Camino, this time walking from Lisbon.   However, we will not be going all the way to Santiago this year but stopping at Porto.  Which is about 228 miles. If all goes well these will be our stopping places each day.  Returning to the UK on the 17th May. 

Day 1.- Lisbon  - Santa Iria de Azóia (18 Km)

Day 2.- Santa Iria de Azóia - Vila Franca de Xira (23 Km)

Day 3.- Vila Franca de Xira  - Azambuja (19 Km)

Day 4.- Azambuja - Santarém (33 Km)

Day 5.- Santarém  - Golegã (31 Km)

Day 6.- Golegã - Tomar (31 Km)

Day 7.- Tomar  - 

Alvaiázere (32 Km)

Day 8.- Alvaiázere - Ansião (13 Km)

Day 9.- Ansião - Condeixa A Nova (30 Km)

Day 10. Condeixaixa - Coimbra (17 Km)

Day 11.- Coimbra -Mealhada (23 Kms)

Day 12.- Mealhada - Águeda (25 Kms)

Day 13.- Águeda - Albergaria a Velha (16 Kms)

Day 14.- Albergaria a Velha -  São João da Madeira  (29 Kms)

Day 15.- São João da Madeira -  Grijó (19 Kms)

Day 16.- Grijó - Porto (15 Kms).