Lisbon May 2018
Our latest joint visit took place in Lisbon between 20th and 24th May. A party of 8 from Carnoustie and 23 from Maule joined forces there and were installed in apartment accommodation in the centre of the city near to the main railway station. Arrival was about lunch time on day one and thereafter we took in some of the sights nearby and further afield by means of the Tourist bus. Following dinner it was a fairly early bed as most had set off from home very early that day.
On day two the main group set off by various means of transport including tram to explore this great city and we spent the day at a number of venues before returning to the apartments for dinner and swapping stories about the sights seen and places visited. On day three we set off as a whole group by train and travelled to the town of Sintra by train. There we visited the Pena Palace and gardens which due its situation on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside was very spectacular. Following lunch once again we split into smaller groups and did some further exploring before returning to Lisbon by train. On day three it was off again in the morning, this time by boat which took us further down the River Tagus on which Lisbon sits to Belem a suburb of Lisbon where some visited the various sights there including the very spectacular monument to the explorers including of course Vasco da Gama perhaps Portugal's most famous one.
Our latest joint visit took place in Lisbon between 20th and 24th May. A party of 8 from Carnoustie and 23 from Maule joined forces there and were installed in apartment accommodation in the centre of the city near to the main railway station. Arrival was about lunch time on day one and thereafter we took in some of the sights nearby and further afield by means of the Tourist bus. Following dinner it was a fairly early bed as most had set off from home very early that day.
On day two the main group set off by various means of transport including tram to explore this great city and we spent the day at a number of venues before returning to the apartments for dinner and swapping stories about the sights seen and places visited. On day three we set off as a whole group by train and travelled to the town of Sintra by train. There we visited the Pena Palace and gardens which due its situation on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside was very spectacular. Following lunch once again we split into smaller groups and did some further exploring before returning to Lisbon by train. On day three it was off again in the morning, this time by boat which took us further down the River Tagus on which Lisbon sits to Belem a suburb of Lisbon where some visited the various sights there including the very spectacular monument to the explorers including of course Vasco da Gama perhaps Portugal's most famous one.
The above photograph shows the combined group taken at the apartments.
On our final evening we gathered at a local tapas bar near to our accommodation where we shared a table for 31! This was a great evening with good food, good company and enjoyed by all. All of our visits usually end with 'Auld Lang Syne' at the point of departure but as the Scots were leaving early the next morning it was done round the table after the meal. This took the staff by surprise somewhat as they had never seen (or heard) it done before let alone in their premises. However they enjoyed the experience and we were assured that we are always welcome back. The other diners may have thought we were the cabaret.
So ended another successful joint visit and a huge thanks goes to our French friends who did a great deal of organising and booking prior to the trip which was greatly appreciated. Where to next we wonder? Watch this space.
So ended another successful joint visit and a huge thanks goes to our French friends who did a great deal of organising and booking prior to the trip which was greatly appreciated. Where to next we wonder? Watch this space.
