Home, sort of

Sunset, Foz do Douro

We've had a delightful trip to Portugal, and are already missing the view from our superb flat of the variously sparkling, heaving and foaming Atlantic.  We saw a few sunsets, but with generally clear skies, they were less spectacular than some we've met.  Pretty damn' good, all the same.

Railway station, Pinhão

I've spent an hour or so since we got back editing the vast numbers of pictures we took on the trip.  I have a full set of the azulejos at the station in Pinhão, but will just give you a teaser of the station itself.  But be warned: I have a photo on file of each and every azulejo panel on the building!

Our landlord João came round this morning to collect the rent, and to take us to the airport, which was above and beyond, we thought.  He and his wife Ana are new to the business, and have only been letting the flat since June.  They are getting it more than right: we've rented some impressive properties in recent years, and this one was the best, and far from the most expensive. 

Back to reality today, on a crowded Ryanair flight to Carcassonne.  The views of the Pyrenees were superb, but otherwise the best that can be said of the flight was that it got us here.  Cramped, noisy and uncomfortable, 'service' expensive and lacking in charm, and what seemed to us to be an unnecessarily sportif approach to Carcassonne!

Earlyish night tonight.  It seems to be axiomatic that, the night before travelling, I sleep badly.  Oh well, we at least have the laundry and shopping to look forward to in the morning.