Another easy morning where, after breakfast, we retired to the lounge to get some daylight as we were rafted alongside another ship that blocked out daylight in our cabin.
We have determined that we cannot continue to eat at the rate that we have been without more exercise. Yesterday about our only exercise was getting on and off the bus and walking down the long corridors at the monastery, to and from the dinner table!
We had a briefing in the lounge this morning about the next few days including our transfer to Lisbon on Tuesday. It is scheduled by high-speed train but there is a threat of a strike so the alternative is by coach. Either is fine as long as we are heading to sunshine. Three nights there and home on Friday, Lord willing.
The wine situation in Portugal is interesting. Port wine is a vary large industry here, yet, at home, who drinks Port Wine? Same as Muscatel or any other sweet wine. The Portuguese do make very nice Table Wines, which is the type of wine have when we have wine at home. I say we, but Fellette does not drink. [The other day I mentioned that sister Moe enjoyed a glass of Sandeman many years ago. I was wrong, it was Harvey's Bristol Cream, a sweet sipping wine similar but different than Sandeman]. Sorry Moe.
We had a demonstration on how to open a very old bottle of Port wine the other day. It is quite a ritual. The actual neck of the bottle, cork and all, is heated and then cracked off in a non-splintering way so not to disturb the dregs from being activated and contaminating the wine. The sample we had was indeed a very smooth sipping-wine. An eggcup full would be a ample sized serving, to me. They serve a small glass of very nice port after dinner on the ship every night.
This afternoon we set off on a long hike to see the town of Porto through the eyes of our guide, who lives here. It was a very, very, very long walk. Back to the ship for a quick shower and to dinner. Too rushed.
We were invited to the Captain's table tonight, four couples, the Captain and Cruise Director. There were two American couples and two Canadian. I suppose the country of origin is not the reason but my gosh us Canadians can be a very reserved group of people.
They had a cake for us after dinner. Not the type of recognition we seek but it was well done. We were glad when it was over.
It appears that we may be the longest married couple on the ship. Spooky to think that. I did find a lady older than me, a lovely widow from Virginia, travelling with another much younger widowed lady. It is amazing how the older woman and I can relate to so many things, sort of like kindred spirits or talking to sister Moe.
It is Jeanette's and Robert's anniversary tomorrow, 29 years, getting there kids!
We were invited to the Captain's table tonight, four couples, the Captain and Cruise Director. There were two American couples and two Canadian. I suppose the country of origin is not the reason but my gosh us Canadians can be a very reserved group of people.
They had a cake for us after dinner. Not the type of recognition we seek but it was well done. We were glad when it was over.
It appears that we may be the longest married couple on the ship. Spooky to think that. I did find a lady older than me, a lovely widow from Virginia, travelling with another much younger widowed lady. It is amazing how the older woman and I can relate to so many things, sort of like kindred spirits or talking to sister Moe.
It is Jeanette's and Robert's anniversary tomorrow, 29 years, getting there kids!
Three abreast, us on the outside.
Awaiting the Long March today.
1000 year old city wall.
Taken by a complete stranger today.
Imagine making that handrail. Carved out of granite.
It really is a real bird.
The old Railway Station in Porto.
Just a flavour of Portugal.
Note the three young men sipping a wine on the middle balcony.
Another photo, taken by a kind young man from Hamburg who saw me trying to take a selfie.
The kindness of strangers!
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