Monday 12 September 2016

I woke early, worrying about catching our flight in time. I finished reading Deadroom Farce by Simon Brett on my Kindle. What shall I read next? We got up at about 7.15. The shower was tricky to adjust as usual but I avoided flooding the bathroom. I left that to Richard. Then we finished packing. A few clean things and trousers to go on top of the two precious bottles of port. Richard decided he would take home one of the metal cylindrical port containers in his rucksack!

We brought back some port - one white and one LBV

We took our case down to breakfast at just before 9am. Our hostess Sofia wasn't there, but the other lady who helps was. We told her we were leaving early to get to the airport, and ate a nice breakfast. I enjoyed the coffee in big cups, as well as the little pots of muesli and yogurt. No one else was up for breakfast yet.

We left Porto Vintage at 9.15 and walked up one hill and down another to get to Trinidade metro station. We topped up our Andante travel cards for one more journey. I rang Sofia to tell her we were on our way home. We had to wait only 10 minutes for the train to the airport.  But it was crowded. Richard stood for the whole journey of 17 stops but I eventually got a seat. Most people had cases.

And we couldn't resist these delicious custard tarts

At Porto airport we had to wait a while for check in with TAP, the Portuguese airline, to start. Then we went through security but no passport control as we were in a Shengen zone. We had a coffee, and then went to our gate. I bought some cheap earrings and we also bought some of the delicious Pastel custard tarts in the duty free. We had to wait quite a while for our flight to be called, and then everyone flocked to the front of the queue even though they asked people seated at the front half of the plane to wait. Once again, the flight was full.

The flight took about two and a half hours, and Zurich is an hour ahead of Porto. We had a meal of melon and pasta with shrimps. I gave Richard my shrimps in exchange for his melon. I also had an orange juice. R had wine as usual.

We arrived on time in Zurich and got our suitcase out quite quickly. I met a friend from my old book club in the luggage hall - Pat, who had been hiking in Portugal. Richard and I caught the S2 to Thalwil where the temperature was a sweltering 34 degrees. The bus home was full, with three mums with buggies. Typical at rush-hour. We were happy to be home and check on the welfare of our balcony plants - drooping. Otherwise all fine.

Friday evening, 9 September 2016

The Ponte de D. Luiz I bridge was spectacular from every angle

After a rest, we set out for the metro station, Aliados, and topped up our Andante cards. We took the line going south across the Douro river. It was crowded. After Sao Bento, the train emerged into daylight to cross the Ponte de D. Luiz I bridge.


We got off at the next stop and explored the hill there. Fantastic views of both banks and sides of the river. We took lots of photos. The bridge has two levels - the upper level is used by metro trains and the lower level is used by cars and pedestrians.

The jazz concert orchestra took place in a transparent dome

Then we recrossed the bridge on foot and walked around the old streets, up and downhill. It was rather tiring. We ended up at the Clerigos Tower where we had a welcome beer. Then we headed towards Avenida dos Aliados where the first open-air concert was taking place; we had a drink and an unimpressive meal in a cafe by the avenue.


At 22.00 the jazz orchestra started to play, so we walked uphill to join the crowds watching the OJM and singer Sergio Godinho live and on the big screen. There was a very friendly atmosphere with lots of families and jazz lovers of all ages. Great music.

The town hall under floodlights

When Sergio and the band stopped playing, we headed home up Rua de Almada. A great evening.

Friday morning 9 September

Our room at Porto Vintage guesthouse

We are at our B&B, Porto Vintage. Our room is quiet and the bed's comfortable. No TV. I've already checked the news on my phone - people stranded in a cablecar on M. Blanc overnight. Sara Storey wins her 12th Olympic cycling medal at the Rio Paralympics.

Our flight from Zurich on Thursday was very full but arrived on time, and our light meal of Greek salad, bread and cheese and fruit crumble was chilled but edible. I wasn't tempted by the Swiss wine - saving myself for some Portuguese. We waited ages for our suitcase and then had to figure out the metro system. We bought an Andante Card for a single journey to the city centre. We eventually arrived at Trinidade, the central stop. It was quite a climb up to our B&B, Porto Vintage, where Sofia was waiting. Our suite is nice but basic.

A delicious passionfruit mousse at Achas

After exploring locally, we found a restaurant for dinner: Achas. We had monkfish with spicy mashed potatoes and risoni, a small pasta with saffron, to share. Delicious fish. We both had desserts - mine was passionfruit mousse. We also had a delicious bottle of white wine, Casa da Senra.

A tiring but successful day.