St Valentine has a lot to answer for. It’s the day before my husband’s birthday – as always – and as always he wants to escape. This year he- my husband- will be seventy – and so we decided to go for a few days to Lisbon. The celebrations had already started in Poland and in London with a few friends and will culminate with the family and more friends when we get back. Meanwhile, here we are in this delightfully quirky city, and this morning we went for a little walk. Let me share a little bit of it with you.

When we came the first time in 2014 there were many more tiled exteriors. Today they were not as ubiquitous but still a delight to find.

We passed a little electrical/ electronics shop. Fascinating patterns that the objects made .

These 3d tiles were advertising a shop for baby clothes!

We walked for a while just pottering in and out of little shops. We left the tea towels and oven gloves for another day but then we were desperately tempted inside a beautiful antique shop. If we make a decision- and I think we will, I will show you some other time.

Meanwhile we needed a coffee. But we found a little museum instead. More of that another time too. Eventually we got to a little park. With a cafe. Perfect.

All around the paths were these commemorations depicted in the cobbles

This derelict building seemed to be quite politically motivated. I think luta means struggle. Again there is not as much graffiti or street art as there has been on previous visits.

Finally we got to the river and went for lunch. We did not eat the crab.

We had a wonderful morning and lunch but it was exhausting.

More soon.