John was invited to speak at a conference organised by Católica, the main university in Lisbon and, very generously, they extended the invitation for me to accompany him. John started off the conference and Robert Engle, a Nobel Prize winner for Economics, wrapped it up. Lots of interesting talks and meetings throughout the day. Lisbon is a lovely city in a beautiful location and after the conference we had some time to roam.
I was keen to see the Tile Museum but it was closed for renovation so John chose the Maritime Museum near to the enormous outside sculpture showing ‘Henry The Navigator’.
The bright sunshine was merciless but luckily the Museum for Contemporary Art was next door – not only full of things to expand your imagination but my eyes alighted on a welcome café with aircon!
We consoled ourselves … with a ‘pastéis de nata’ …
I wanted to explore Alfama where the Castelo de São Jorge has a panoramic view over the city and the river Tagus – trams were full to the brim so we hopped into a stylish Uber driven by a vivacious lady …
We made our way back along the Avenida da Liberdade exclaiming at the old and the new within walking distance of one another …
The hotel with its marble floors awaits. And it’s suppertime out on a covered terrace. The waiters have interesting stories to tell. I have to include the most special dessert ever – a lime sorbet.
It’s time to leave – much too soon. Many thanks to Filipa and Filipe and Antonio among many others for such a warm welcome and for looking after us so well.
OBRIGADO E ADEUS