Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 19 November 2017

HAPPY NEW WEEK!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!



Northern Cardinal
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, New York USA
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Photo labeled Public Domain (Copyright Free)

  • We turned left, and found:

    We were on the other side of the big archway we had seen earlier when in the shopping streets.  This gives an idea of size,but I was too near to get a good shot of the entire thing.  However, watch this space, as they say, and it may come up again later!

     A beautiful doorway.

    Some really old buildings, our guide told us, which had been untouched for many years.

    They looked very colourful under the blue sky, and not much pollution, such as in our cities! New trees are being planted in a scheme to beautify the city, and walkways created to keep cars in their place.

    Some of the work going on:  this, said our guide, had been an ugly part which was now going to be transformed.

    Another large building with the tiles all over.

    When we alighted from our coach, we found ourselves in a very big queue to get back onto the ship:  they are very vigilant about security, and you have to have a pass which shows your photograph when swiped, and all your bags are scanned every time.

    Our ship, with another gigantic one behind it.  The building works you can see are the final parts of the new dock built for these very big ships which is being finished now, so that they can easily let the passengers alight near the centre of the city.

  • We then went for a very late lunch:  there didn't seem much point in rushing a lunch in the city rather than looking at things, when there would be food waiting for us on board.  There was a good buffet restaurant and such a choice of food, you could have anything from soup to salad to a hot dish, followed by fruit, cake and/or cheeses.

    View of the city, from the ship.

    We freshened up before going up on deck again:  this is the view from our cabin window, just wonderful.

    The "Sailaway Party" in full fling, around the top deck pool:  they were singing, dancing and drinking!  To the right, below, you can see some of the balconies of the decks below.

    We stayed on the sun deck at the very top.  View of the outer part of the city as we sailed down the river, back to the sea.

    The ship was very manouverable  (spelling?) with side jets to help them to leave sideways from the dock!

    Locals sailing near us to get a good look.

  • Have enjoyed the visit to Lisbon, LINDY! Thank you.

    OG - I'm not a hoarder :-) I think you must be mixing me up with my late OH, who kept everything, even his ration book from the 1940s!

  • What wonderful pics, thank you LINDY

  • CLARE    Yes, I was a big fan of David Cassidy. At the age of 12 I took my first flight and went to stay with an Aunt near Manchester in order to see DC in concert. Must admit it was mayhem. The crowd were hysterical and organisation so bad that I didn't get my seat, but of course he was wonderful. 

  • Beautiful photos, Lindy.  I always enjoy seeing the fruits of your travels!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Quick look in while I'm catching up on stuff. Close Brit friend got hospitalized last night so off to see her (apparently I have to "robe up"!) before I pick up token Thanksgiving food stuff.

    Heather: No family not coming back from AZ for Thanksgiving; must check with grandson to see if his vegan partner is working and/or if he wants to join exciting OH and me for "real" food. Did your parcels arrive?

    Lindybird: I really do like the looks of Lisbon; thanks for the lovely pix. I've enjoyed them.

    AQ; Here's to cooler weather; meanwhile, we're alleged to be "enjoying" unseasonably warm temperatures....

    Thanks all for posts; back later!

  • Glad you've enjoyed my pics: although we've now left our last port of call, it's not the end of the photos yet! Will put more on tomorrow.

    Been out, rushing around - bought some stocking fillers, and bread and milk, then dashed to meet my Friend. We went to see "Paddington 2" as planned. Dibnlib was right, it's a cracking film, so charming and true to the character of Paddington, and so very funny, all the way through. A real treat!!

    EDIT:  Marks for the latest Paddington film --   11/10!

  • Annette - Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope she gets out of there for Christmas, even if she misses Thanksgiving.

    I think you might have been thinking of me, as the hoarder. I'm the despair of my family!

  • Woops - sorry HEATHER!  Oh well, it was only a suggestion anyway - have you received your parcels yet?

    We had an excellent outing, but spoiled by the weather which was atrocious.  Flooding was just passable - with extreme care!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!