And we start with Lisbon

Lisbon has been good for our body clock adjustment and getting on the move. We have hit a spot of very warm weather in a city that seems very relaxed and at ease with itself. A surprisingly large number of tourists like us about, in what is probably still on the leading edge of this world wide baby boomer in doting years exploration. A wide range of languages were in use as we emerged from the integrated transport system to the city market.

Here we enjoyed a formidable lunch in one of the Time Out restaurants. With a wide range of eating choices in front of us doing very good business, we would recommend it if you are yet to come this way.

Then the number 28 tram which twists and turns it's way up through the Alfama district did not let us down. As with the last time we used the number 28, an errant parked car managed to stop the whole track system. We became more alert after the tram driver applied the master brake on our tram, then behind several others, before just taking his things and heading off into the distance on foot, presumably looking for a coffee, and without a word to his loyal passengers. But we got the message that maybe it could take a while to sort things out. So we hopped off and managed the rest of the way on shank's pony. Fortunately we were towards the top of the area before our forced stop.

Day 2 was just as good. A visit to the tile museum and a courtyard lunch followed by a short trip to Belem and Henry the Navigator covered most of the day.

 Yvonne was given a potted historical explanation by a friendly elderly local on the tram home on the differences between the good Portuguese and the mess over the border that calls itself Spain.

 A local dinner in the central city area accompanied by European soccer completed what has been a most pleasant if short stay. Lisbon seems to be in a good mood.

And so to Porto we went. We opted to take what sounded like a slower regional train only to find ourselves choofing along at 200 kph and enjoying a good onboard lunch service. A restful 2.5 hours later and we stepped out into the 33 degrees heat of Porto for our next stage of the trip