A new record

Today was about letting Google lead us to our next stop and, as usual, our first walk was uphill to the viewpoints overlooking Lisbon and from there just lots of walking.

The streets are insane, especially up higher from the main part of town. Tram lines, skinny roads, skinny footpaths, all melded into one. Did I forget the tuk tuks?

It's insane. Add that to the potention of slipping on the ancient mini cobblestones and you've got a good day out. Lots of street art, a funicular ride and just basically moseying around. 

The result? 58 flights of stairs climbed, according to Garmin. A flight equals 3 metres. That is officially too much, but I think we are getting climbing fit. Maybe we did this much climbing on the Camino Walk, but I'm saying it's our new record.

Ironmen

A bus to the train station, and then straight onto the train for a 40m scenic ride beside the Atlantic to Cascais. Today was mainly just wandering. The Ironman event was held here earlier this weekend, and much of my day revolved around wondering where the course went and whether I had another 70.3 miles in me.

The hill training we have done since arriving made today's not so hilly adventure pretty easy and almost has me convinced that if we moved to a place with good hills to run up, a house with a designated gym, and a nearby gym and laps pool, I could do another race. Soon I hit the new age group.

We decided to buy our lunch today. Most other days have been ham and salad rolls that we make in the morning. The chips we got were great, but the burger a little underwhelming. They did have a decent playlist so all was not lost. Another train back to town, a longer than planned wait for bus 725 and before long we were home cooking up a storm of an Italian meal. Easy days are good.

The Holy Trinity

A 6am alarm, a 7am departure into the dark streets and past yesterday's crane and we arrived at the bus station for our bus to Lisbon.

After the 1 and a quarter hour ride, we found the Metro across the road, got tickets, found the platform and in 15 minutes were at Santa Apolónia station. We couldn't check in until later so we headed for the luggage storage. Luckily our hill training from previous gradient-loaded days assisted a bit. Lisbon seems considerably hillier and steeper than all the other places. The walk was a struggle, the tiny cobblestones don't help and small streets aided the misery. However, our destination was right at the start of a market.

Coincidence? Probably. It was deceptive in its size. It went on forever downhill and then forever uphill. Did I need a Donovan LP? It's too late to ask that now. But boys and girls, I have always maintained that 2nd hand record sales must always contain a Harry Secombe, James Last or Richard Clayderman album. Be still my beating heart.

With our accommodation checkin many hours away, we explored the bottom of the hill. It's Saturday and there are 3 cruise ships in. Lisbon is packed.

After that, all roads led to up. Churches were seen, much Coke was consumed, the calf muscles were so sore that my knee wasn't hurting as much. 

Bags collected, we headed up again, our bags feeling very heavy, hopefully through gravity on the bumpy, windy, narrow streets. 

Once at our new home, we tried the lift that may just have been the prototype for the first elevator (photo is sure to follow).

We found the local grocery store (yes it was uphill), put our frozen fries in the airfryer for 10 minutes until we realised that it doesn't work, and sat down for an Aussie chips, bbq chicken with peas and carrots while watching Australian Taskmaster season 2. Yep, I could have done this in Wattle Grove without the hills and a working airfryer.

Footnote: There is also an oven here. We didn't eat them frozen. The tomato sauce accompaniment was purchased in Porto on day 2 of our adventure and has lovingly been transported from city to city with us. Alas, Lisbon will be its final resting place.