Air space

Modern airports are the new cathedrals, mighty architectural spaces, all shiny steel and polished marble floors. Looking at this one, I can't escape the feeling that I'm being scrutinised by an angry ice queen intent on sucking the life from the unwary creatures attracted inside like bees to the hive. There's some truth in this because the HardJet flight is delayed (again) and there is no escape from our holding pen.

I couldn't get far this morning so didn't add much to the gallery of Porto pics I've been putting together beyond those assembled for the sail racing. Porto is an odd place. It's overdue some restoration work in the middle of town but that's part of its charm. Ordinary people still live in the centre. They haven't yet been pushed out by the smart set who come in and tweeify most city centres.

It will happen once the rental laws are reformed but nothing happens quickly in this place. It's about fifty years behind the times. Caged birds are popular in the apartments (and it seems strange now, and sad, to see them being sold on the streets) and you can hear canaries singing out in many streets. The tiny apartments with their birds are themselves like cages and you can see people perched on their balconies, looking out at life beyond the sanctuaries of their homes.

Like the UK ports of Bristol and Liverpool, Porto had connections with the slave trade once, although Lisbon was the country's main slave-trading Port. Porto made a high strength brandy that was traded for slaves. Economically, it's clear the city has seen better times. But with a bit of imagination and a relaxation of property laws they just might get the inward investment they need.

If you want to see the old Porto, now is the time to go. It's a charming old city with friendly people and a blip around every corner.