Went further uphill today, There must be more cobblestone roads, footpaths, parkways and squares than anywhere in Europe. We’ve walked for hours up so many pathways with as many designs as their are streets, along with as many different coloured tile buildings predominantly blue, green and yellow.
One path led us to the Basilica da Estrella . This is not just for the religious but for the lover of stunning late Baroque and Neoclassical architecture; for the admirer of stories told in tiles; and for those who appreciate the most beautifully patterned designs of exquisite pink, grey and yellow stone, and a perfect place to take refuge from the rain
Lisboa is lucky to have these buildings as most of the city was destroyed by an earthquake and accompanying Tsunami in 1755. In rebuilding they ensured the ancient feel was not lost and that large tree lined boulevardes balanced the winding narrow steep roadways that have always been there, well, not literally
The rain has kept us inside a lot of today providing us with a new experience. Being on the fifth floor and high up on a hill means we’re living in birdland. Tiny birds flapping their little wings vigorously dart about as swallows more demurely glide in larger circles as our nearest neighbours the pigeons line up on the ledge outside practising their Tuvan throat singing and the ever watchful seagull
Being inside also allowed us to see Djokovic and Nadal reach the final of the French Open and write a bit
River at street end
Tram, tiles and cobblestones
The Basilica
The Chair
The girl and the cat and a poster
