Forest Run #4

 Already the last of the runs in my forest run series (last week another local club member had looked after #3 while I was racing in Portugal). Giselle joins too and we have the great turn out of the series and yet another beautiful autumn day!

Giselle is 21

 Today is Giselle's 21st birthday, a very big day for all of us of course. Not part today but she does arrive back home  from college this evening and we give her her presents. Her big whish was a professional coffee machine!

As you can see belwo I am a very proud dad today!

Tree Cutting

 We got a bit of a shock when arrived home after our trip from Portugal. Turned out our neighbour had started cutting all the large tree in the field around our house! They had tried to contact us but only the day before and we were away 😒 We understand the trees along the road had to be done at some stage but there was also a lot of damage done elsewhere. It really affects the views from the back of our house. We are not impressed...

Lisbon day 4

Our final day began with a visit to the expansive Parque Eduardo VII near our accommodation, offering a refreshing contrast to the old city. We then plunged back into the historic center, making a few cherished trips aboard the iconic yellow trams. The afternoon melted into evening with the sensory pleasures of Lisbon: enjoying vibrant live music, savoring delicious local cuisine, and sampling regional beers. Fittingly, our final stop brought us full circle to the small park featuring that stunning pink Floss Silk Tree, where we enjoyed our last dinner before heading off to the airport.

Lisbon day 3, a Walk along MAAT Lisbon

A short walk from the Monastery brought us to the gleaming white curves of a completely modern marvel. We spent time admiring the contemporary design of the MAAT museum, captivated by the way the sunlight illuminated its form and reflected brilliantly off the river. This architectural spectacle—particularly its textured, tiled exterior—served as a thoughtful, modern reminder of the art form we had explored earlier in the morning.

Lisbon Day 3, Jerónimos Monastery

Our journey continued by bus to the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery. Despite the benefit of free entry with our Lisboa Pass, we joined a lengthy line that spanned almost an hour, a minor inconvenience for such a landmark. Once inside, the Monastery was nothing short of amazing, its scale and detail overwhelming. While the architecture was stunning—and I believe the photographs capture its essence—the constant flow of tourists made securing a decent, uncrowded picture a matter of persistent patience and some creative editing back home!

Lisbon day 3, the Tile Museum

A damp morning provided the perfect opportunity to seek shelter and immerse ourselves in Lisbon's indoor treasures, starting with the spectacular Azulejo Museum. While the grand narrative piece, 'The Chicken's Wedding,' was a personal highlight, the sheer variety was astounding—from intricate geometric patterns and profound religious scenes to vibrant, modern displays. What truly surprised us was discovering that a significant portion of the museum is housed within a stunning, tile-adorned old church itself!

Lisbon day 2, Evening Walk

Later that evening, we enjoyed a delightful dinner in the old city center near the grand Praça do Comércio. The area provided rich photographic opportunities: we spent time capturing the illuminated arch, the quintessential Lisbon trams in motion, and the peaceful flow of the River Tagus at dusk.

Lisbon day 2, Sintra

Our day began with a scenic train journey to Sintra, a village we found to be just as charming and historic as its reputation suggests. Although I had recently cycled very near this locale during the 70.3 race, this was our chance to truly explore. While the town center felt quite crowded and tourist-heavy, we quickly found the tranquility we sought. Our steep hike to the ancient fort crowning the hilltop provided an immediate, welcome escape from the throngs, leading us into serene, higher ground and rewarding us with breathtaking views.

Lisbon day 1, Pink!

 The day after the race, time to recover! So we head for Lisbon. After checking into our hotel we go for a little stroll and discover a nice little park where there is a Market today for Irene to browse and get some gifts for Giselle. While I am very impressed by a beautiful Silk Floss Tree in that park. Pink seems to be the team of the day. Until the rains starts, but that is not till late at in the evening...