March 2024. Lisbon. Portugal. 10 minutes from Nepal curry to dump our bags an hour ahead of check-in at our “Ambiente” hostel, where the decor said anything but “hostel”, and then a steep uphill walk (7 hills, just like Sheffield) to the inevitable craft beer bar. It’s the frescoes that are the star in Lisbon.… Continue reading SELF-SERVE CRAFT BEER, LISBON STYLE
FIRST CURRY IN LISBON (NCSS 4)
March 2024. Lisbon. Portugal. Our penultimate day in Portugal took us back to the capital and a third stop at Lisbon’s Oriente station on the EXPO site, via the wondrous housing estate art along Av. Infante Dom Henrique. Public transport seemed to click that day; the bus from Setubal actually turned up, I had the… Continue reading FIRST CURRY IN LISBON (NCSS 4)
Craft beer in Vitória !
March 2024. Setubal. A second day in Setubal, and a 15 minute hovercraft trip across the Sado to the Troia peninsual, home to (closed) casinos, sandy beaches, and cats. That was practically the only life we saw, bar a school of dolphins. What they were being taught I never found out. Back in Setubal, I… Continue reading Craft beer in Vitória !
MRS RM FINDS HER DREAM RETIREMENT HOME IN SETUBAL
March 2024. Setubal. Portugal. Our hotel “6/4” for the night was bang central, cost £32 a night, and gave Mrs RM free bottles of the local fortified wine, AND a history lesson which I failed to pay proper attention to. I just wanted to get out and take in that view across the rooftops. Mrs… Continue reading MRS RM FINDS HER DREAM RETIREMENT HOME IN SETUBAL
CHOCO FRITO IN SETUBAL
March 2024. Setubal. Portugal. Day 4 of our Portugal trip, and I bravely took a bus the 3 hours down the coast to Lisbon, fortified by 3 espressos and a huge pastry at Porto’s impressive coach station. Flix buses are reliable, comfortable and cheap (£28 for 2), in stark contrast to Vectis buses on the… Continue reading CHOCO FRITO IN SETUBAL
FINALLY ! THE PORTO CRAFT BEER AFTERNOON
March 2024. Porto. Portugal. These ubiquitous craft beer bars just aren’t photogenic (OK, that Mikkeller one in Norrebro) and you won’t convince me otherwise. But, after 3 hours and 20,000 steps up and down Porto’s hills there was no question that’s where we were headed next. But it was only just gone 3pm, Mrs RM… Continue reading FINALLY ! THE PORTO CRAFT BEER AFTERNOON
FULHAM ARE ON THE TELLY AGAIN ! PORTO PUB LIFE AT THE GUINDALENSE FC SOCIAL CLUB
March 2024. Porto. Portugal. Returning from Porto’s south side, the one with the sherry and port and artery clogging sandwiches, Mrs RM took in the views from the top of the Ponte Louis I. “That green bar with the balcony looks good“. She’s incorrigible, she really is. “It’s looks a steep walk” I say, wary… Continue reading FULHAM ARE ON THE TELLY AGAIN ! PORTO PUB LIFE AT THE GUINDALENSE FC SOCIAL CLUB
FRANCESINHA AND THE SUPER BOCK TASTING TRAY
March 2024. Porto. Portugal. More beer and sandwiches as we cross the Ponte Luis I bridge now, in search of a famous rabbit. The south side seems to be the home of the wineries who sponsor the little boats along the Douro, their gift shops and port tastings packed on this Saturday. We admired the… Continue reading FRANCESINHA AND THE SUPER BOCK TASTING TRAY
PORTO – ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS, ALL THE CLICHES
March 2024. Porto. Portugal. First time in Porto, a place best known for Jose’s knee slide at Old Trafford 20 years ago. The second most famous Portuguese (always found that demonym a bit odd) is, of course, CR7. celebrated in the national football team shop a minute from our hotel. Mrs RM seemed to have… Continue reading PORTO – ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS, ALL THE CLICHES
FREE BEER, FREE ROOM, IN PORTO’S HIPPEST HOTEL (but there’s a catch)
March 2024. Porto. Portugal. An hour on the train from Aveiro, arriving at the gorgeous Sao Bento station just as the heavens opened. Mrs RM’s hotel pick was only a couple of minutes away, but first lunch next door in Maza Pasta bar, where International Women’s Day meant seafood linguine and a glass of wine… Continue reading FREE BEER, FREE ROOM, IN PORTO’S HIPPEST HOTEL (but there’s a catch)
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