Well, that’s what Dorothy said as she clicked those ruby slippers together. I’m kind of with her in that home is where the heart is, and where family, friends, pets and all things familiar.. but I do sometimes wish that home was just a little further south west than it actually is.
Author: Colleen
Retracing
We left Lisbon on Wednesday morning. We took the 25 de Abril bridge back over the Tagus River and as we drove by the huge statue of Christ, Gerry noticed a couple of figures high up on one of the outstretched arms. He thought they were workers checking or repairing Lisbon’s giant landmark but I like to think they were there to wave us goodbye… and wishing us well! Goodbye Lisbon, see you in October!
A Different End of the World?
It’s our last day in Portugal. We decided to end our holiday with a walk along this beautiful coastline; perhaps we’d find a small restaurant for lunch, and then maybe take a walk across the boardwalks and dunes of the Dunas da Cresmina.
Lisboa!
We’ve had a few wonderful days exploring Lisbon and it’s environs. We took a trip out of town for a fabulous fish lunch where, following Rick Steins recommendations, Gerry tried (and enjoyed) the local barnacles.
We’ve taken in the sights from the open top bus and walked and wandered the alleys and avenues. We’ve glimpsed history, both local and from further afield and we’ve taken trains, trams and cable cars (yes I went in the cable car and yes I loved it). We also followed in Rick’s footsteps and enjoyed some of the best Lisboan Piri Piri chicken… in short we’ve had a great time.
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Water Water Everywhere…
Lisbon is a fabulous city. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world and the oldest in Europe. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate and has the warmest winters of any other European city. The Port of Lisbon, located at the mouth of the Tagus river and is one of Europe’s busiest.
Can you see Gerry… He can see you…
Another Pilgrimage
We arrived in Portugal and settled into the little villa that we’ll call home for the next few days. We’re staying in Cascais, a beautiful Portuguese fishing town situated on the western edge of the Lisbon coastline… but we’re only a 30 minute train ride from the capital.
One Camino…
Two Camino…Three Camino… Four!
Every year around this time we try to take a holiday. When the children were small it was always in February half-term but these days it’s usually when work is quiet and the sun starts to warm just a little.
This year we’re heading back to Lisbon. Our first stop was Irun (Camino del Norte) and then on to Burgos (Camino Frances), next onwards to Salamanca (Via de la Plata) and finally Cuidad Rodrigo (Camino Torres).
What’s a Week…
What’s a week between friends? Well if it’s a week on the Camino Frances then it’s actually quite a lot!
Camino del Baztan
The most popular route to Santiago de Compostela is the Camino Frances. The route starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port and leads over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles and then from Roncesvalles on to Pamplona.
But, this isn’t the only route to Santiago de Compostela and Saint Jean Pied de Port isn’t the only starting point. The oldest route into the kingdom of Navarre is the little know Camino del Baztan. The route is 106 kilometers long and passes through beautiful Basque countryside, the monasteries of Urdax and Belate and many picturesque villages. It starts at the Cathedral in Bayonne and winds its way over rolling hills into Navarra and onto Pamplona. Once in Pamplona, pilgrims join the Camino Francés for their journey to Santiago.
Then We Walked 