85 or 726

The day always starts with a little uphill but then we headed down, down in search of our train station for a day trip to Sintra.

This was made more difficult by the hundreds of police, many dressed in riot gear on every corner. I think it has something to do with the housing protests but not really sure.

We arrived and had a 30ish minute, uphill walk to Quinta da Regaleira 

where we lined up for our 10am entry,

before wandering around (lots of wandering going on). Saw the Initiation Well and other sights that photos will describe because everything is just a daze at the moment.

From there to the old town,

where tarts (always plural) and lunch was eaten, 

hills were climbed looking for a bus and then unclimbed back to where we came from to catch the bus that we thought was up the hill. As far as old towns go, I prefer the flatter versions.

The bus took us up skinny, windy roads that doubled as roads and footpath combined.

We entered the Pena Palace property and then had to walk uphill again to the palace. At the palace there were stairs, palace terraces to walk and then gardens to visit. 

The gardens were downhill. Hallelujah. Unfortunately, it's not flower season so every plant looks green. 

I was pretty excited to leave, but against all things I thought to be true, we had to walk uphill lots in order to start our downward journey on the skinny, windy roads that barely fitted a bus. 

Had we left one minute earlier we may have caught the 4pm train, but rather than sprint and miss it, thus giving all those on board something to laugh about, we just accepted our fate and re-planned our route home.

It involved getting off at a different station and catching bus 726. Everyone should catch the 726 once in their lives. When it eventually arrives, extremely late, you have the pleasure of a packed bus, a 30 minute journey through streets that the bus shouldn't fit through, and the possibility of catching something from the many coughing people on board.

For the record, we climbed the equivalent of 85 flights today. A new record.

Coincidentally, the band Chicago had exactly the same experience as us in 1970. Same stairs, same bus, but the 85 or 726 title for their song didn't sound right, so 25 or 6 to 4 was used.

Thank you and it's good night from her and it's good night from me.