Too darn hot!

We have had a morning out of town heading up to Sintra. Leaving Lisbon at 24 degrees at 9.00 am it was a pleasant 22 as we walked around the lovely little town of Sintra and it's Palacio National which was the summer retreat of the Portuguese kings. High above the town are the remains of a moorish castle (extra 1) and the multicoloured Palacio da Pena can also be seen.

We then headed through lovely scented woods down to the coast at Cabo da Roca, thecwestern mist point I'd the European mainland. Pretty breezy there above the Atlantic Ocean. Followed the coast to Cascais where it was now 26 degrees. This was all a nostalgia trip for me as we visited all these places and stayed in Cascais 36 years ago when I was pregnant with my son Alex. Cascais still has a pleasant village feel but has gone up market with the likes of Ronaldo having one of his houses there! ( extras 2 and 3)

Back through Estoril to Belem and the city where it was 32 degrees at 2.00 pm. We just went to our air conditioned room for a couple of hours before daring to venture out again.

Took the metro down to Alfama arriving just after 5.00 pm and itvwas still very hot. We looked briefly around this oldest, medieval part of the city yesterday but took a bit more time today. They are still busy building bars and putting up decorations for the feast of St Anthony, it reminded me of setting up a Christmas market. We had a drink and looked around a few nice craft/art shops and then headed down to the cathedral known as The Se.
The street (Rua Augusta Rosa) leading down here to the end of the Alfama district gave us our first sighting of the Lisbon trams. This route (28) is apparently the most popular as the circuit ride takes 40 minutes. They all seemed to be packed.
I chose this for my blip as it shows the tram passing the cathedral (right) with a cyclist in tow. In the oven like heat even at 6.00 pm who could blame him!
In the background you might be able to make out one of the wonderful tiled facade houses.

Found a shaded street downtown for a meal and then took a stroll along the river front as dusk fell. The evening lights came on illuminating the 25 April bridge and the statue of Christ we saw yesterday across the river and the Castle of St George above the Alfama district. Lots of people about still, even on the beach.

We called it a day and got the metro back to out hotel, dead easy until you come up from one of the 4 plus exits and can't orientate your self to find your way back to your hotel. Must be age or too much Vinho Verde!