Look, no hands!

Took the bus into the city, the route running alongside the river back down the route up which we came by boat in July. Interesting to see it from the land, so much so we missed the stop. Having reached the terminus, we caught the bus taking us back to the city centre. There commenced our tour with a walk under the triumphal arch of King Manuel I.

The Portuguese of old did things in style - bigger, wider, longer buildings and squares. The history is extensive, mostly to do with their maritime exploits. One could spend a week delving into it but unfortunately we only had one day. A place to return to methinks.

Old Lisbon is impressive, not least for the intricately designed cobbles.

Though as the Skipper noted, one of the manual labourer's mind was not on the job when completing this manhole cover...

The sun was hot so a lunch stop was called for, in the highly recommended pastry shop and cafe, Confeitaria Nacional, owned and run by the same family since 1829 and situated on the corner of yet another big square, the Praça da Figueira. Highly traditional (think Betty's in York), it was a pleasure to be served - linen table napkins are a rarity these days! Salt cod fish cakes followed by Portuguese rice pudding all washed down with a nice little Vinho Verde, very nice.

The wonderful array of pastries and petits fours on sale downstairs would be hard to beat ... even by Betty!

A tram ride up to St George's Castle - taken from the Moors by the Crusaders in 1147 - was well worth the queueing. From there on foot to take in wonderful views of the city and the river and the Moorish flavour of the Alfama district, strains of guitar music emanating from open windows of the picturesque houses in narrow streets. Too early to hear any of the local Fado singers - a style of singing apparently now classified by UNESCO as a 'World Intangible Cultural Heritage'.

Wending our way back down to the centre at river level, we found ourselves in the thick of rush hour. Traffic grid-locked and our bus crammed full to overflowing. What a relief to finally disembark and return to the calm of Follyfin!

Yesterday, Saturday, was spent prepping the boat for the off. Skipper was aloft, on and off, for 7 hours, performing great feats.

Mind you, I was in control of the line holding him up there, so he had to be nice to me...

Our plan now is to head down river this morning on the ebb tide, anchor overnight at the mouth next to Cascais and then head out to sea early tomorrow, Monday. No point in going today as there is not a breath of wind. Forecast is better for tomorrow but even if not we will set off anyway as we have a date to meet old friends from Whittlesford in Lagos on the Algarve. It's about 120 miles sailing so we will be at sea overnight. Next post will be from there.