I haven’t written anything for a long time. No time. Busy busy busy. But finally the time came to reset, recharge, rejuvenate.

The reason? My husband’s birthday. Last year we went to Lisbon and had a fantastic time. This year we decided to go somewhere new. Not far from Lisbon in fact but very, very different. Sintra.

If you know it you will know what I mean. If you don’t, I’ll endeavour to show you. But first back to the title.

1 We came by plane. Big delays. But finally we got off the plane. Or at least my husband did. Grabbed his suitcase and tripped lightly up the stairs. I tried to do the same. But my suitcase had been intercepted. Someone had replaced my carefully packed clothes with ingots of gold. Or something like that. I could hardly lift it. Jacek asked if I needed help. I bravely said, no thank you. At which point a middle aged woman came up and grabbed my case, not letting me refuse, and said “I am strong” and delivered it to the airport bus door. And disappeared before I could properly thank her.

2 This morning we went exploring. Quite a long walk to the quirky palace Quinta de la Regaleira. Look it up. Mad. Eccentric. Lovely. But buying tickets for Seniors! Seniors? Yes indeed. I was reminded of the fact that I am old and absent minded when the lovely lady in the they office signed meaningfully to me that o had lipstick on my teeth. I was so grateful, because it looks so awful. The last time someone actually told me was about the time of the Iraq war. I was teaching in Ealing Green school for boys at the time. And one of the pupils there very kindly pointed out that I looked as if I had been chewing betel nuts. He didn’t actually say that, but made it clear anyway that I wasn’t looking my best. I’m always grateful.

3 Stairs are my absolute bete noire. Leaving the folly that is the Regaleira Palace we had to go down some stairs. I’m more or less ok if I can hold onto something. But suddenly the bannister stopped. I panicked. Called out quietly to my husband. He didn’t hear me. The tears began to flow. But miracles happen and I felt a helping hand in mine. A dear young girl just offered me her hand and led me down the stairs. What a relief.

The kindness of strangers. And now for some pics from today