Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 19 November 2017

Hi --  I've tried three times to come on and post, but couldn't even get this page!

Sounds like a good day/evening, OG, and I also like the sound of your grub.  

Been sorting out my photos again, so will now attempt to post some more of them, but if the Site is playing up, will have to abandon it for today as we are going out later.

Now, where was I?  We were still near to Lisbon, after a really wonderful day out - its been the most beautiful city I've ever seen, apart from Venice. It now has a special place in my heart. As Lisbon is built, as it says in the guide book, "on several hills, all flowing down towards the river" you can see a lot of it from the river itself.

We progressed slowly past it all, and saw several of the places we had been to earlier. Here is a view of the magnificent archway, built when the city was rebuilt following the bad earthquake, and specially placed as a final flourish of grandeur, to impress.

I think this was a museum.  The bright pink building on the hill behind will be some kind of government building, as only they are allowed to use that colour.

A close up of the buildings on the hill.  We were a little disappointed not to have had time to go up high, there and see the city below, but you can't have everything!

Some of the smaller jetties and docks for smaller craft.

As it was late afternoon by now, the light was changing fast and we were lucky to still be able to see around before darkness fell.

Looking forwards this time, we could see we were approaching the famous bridge.

Looking forwards: view from my vantage point on the highest deck. Then I realised that I should be looking back, also:

On the opposite side of the river from the city, stood the huge tower and Christ statue. There is a lift in one of the pillars and a viewing stage at the feet of the statue.

How it is placed upon the hill.

People were gasping!  -  it looked as if we were going to hit the bridge, it was so low.  I've learned since that some ships now have radar and aerials which have to be bent downwards in order not to hit the bridge when they go underneath.  The gap here looked to us as if it was less than 30 feet!

My next picture was of the bridge disappearing already, even though we didn't feel as if we were going very fast.

A train then obligingly ran along, on the lower level of the bridge. The roadway is above it.

Thank you LINDY, must go to Lisbon some day. Our Danish friends spent a week there last year and enjoyed their holiday.

OG - your meals sound good and also the show. You must have been desperate to get out of the house after two weeks inside.

HARELADY/DIANE - I've never watched any of the programmes that you mention. I'll have to broaden my horizons!

ANNETTE - Happy Thanksgiving Day. I've just Googled it because it is something that I have known about for years but never investigated. turns out that my ideas about the origin etc were just about correct. Since I grew up in Plymouth UK and the Mayflower was part of primary school education I'd be ashamed if I didn't know just a little...

AQ - Pasties, yum.... glad that your nanny day went OK. Is it difficult to keep the little ones from wanting to go outside when the weather is very hot?

Speaking of weather, light dusting of snow here this morning, but fairly bright now, temperature of 2 degrees C.

One parcel arrived, still waiting for the other one. I know what it is and I have mixed feelings. My brother and sis in law have apparently sent me a weeping cherry tree. To be honest, I need another tree like a hole in the head but mustn't be ungrateful.

Oh dear Heather.  Pity they didn't know that you've been trying to cut down on trees!!  But, weeping cherries are just gorgeous in the spring and lift the spirits, so maybe that's what they thought.

Surprised you have snow even though light - but then, its very cold here today and I have my warm vest on!

They do know, LINDY about my tree situation. They remembered, though, that I had a lovely Cheal's weeping cherry in my garden, my house before I met and married late OH and moved here. So the intentions are good and I will have a think as to where I will plant it!

HEATHER the snow has just about gone now. We had a trip over to Brodie this morning and everywhere looked wintery. I am sure your weeping cherry will look lovely, wherever it is planted.

I'm sure you are right, DIBNLIB. It is forcing me to rethink the back garden. Maybe not a bad thing.

HEATHER - I don't think I would equate a young ornamental cherry tree with the big old fruit trees you had removed - in fact I think it was a thoughtful idea to give you a manageable tree to suit the size of your garden.