Although Pete says that it is not really typical, it has certainly rained a lot since we got back, often drizzle and low cloud, and the heater has come out of storage. A small boat is not the best environment for wet weather but we have been trying to get out and about when the sun returns.
We caught the metro to Porto and then walked down the side of the Douro river and along the coast back to the marina.
We passed a good charity shop on the way and I elicited a promise from Scruffbag to return to it when we had more time. We also managed to have lunch in the sun at a beachside cafe, a rare treat.
Our next trip out was to the end (penultimate stop) in the metro line to a town further north, Vila de Conde. We did get hit by the odd shower but the old town centre was pretty with an amazing aqueduct.
We also climbed to the convent above the town from whence the views along the river were fantastic. It was all souls night so flower sellers were everywhere and the cemetery was full of people laying flowers on their family graves, the local custom on this day.
After the purchase of two umbrellas and a cheap but good lunch and a walk along the river we headed back to the metro station for our return home.
In the following damp days we enjoyed sheltering from the rain in the form of a couple of leisurely lunches with Pete and Maria and our friends Richard and Renata, who are also wintering their boat here.At the local cafe, a three course lunch with carafe of wine and coffee costs around 25 euros for two and can last for hours in good company.
Another rain free day and another trip out, this time by train further north to Viana de Castelo. This is a really beautiful old town and we took the furnicular railway up to the old cathedral
The view was truly amazing and Scruffbag climbed the narrow staircase to the top of the tower, while I sat in the sun on the cathedral steps.
Another lovely lunch:was enjoyed: dish of the day with wine for me and beer for Scruffbag. then a wander around town before walking up to the station.
We also visited the town of Povoa de Vazim, the last stop north on the metro line. We had a look at the marina and noted the awful swell before walking along the coast to Vila de Conde again, avoiding heavy rain showers along the way.
It was so wet so often that I even managed to get Scruffbag to visit a huge shopping centre one day, no mean feat I assure you.
After another visit to Porto to visit the charity shop ( an unused leather bag and a denim skirt 5 euros) and an old mansion, which was closed (at least it was warm enough to sit in the park and watch the peacocks), it was time to get ready to move down to the Algarve to avoid the worst of the northern Portuguese winter,
We are travelling to Praia de Luz by train and leaving the boat in Peter's care for 3 months whilst we enjoy the luxury of an entire apartment.
