Thursday 1st May - Lisbon

A pleasant small hotel overlooking a small square with traditional Portuguese buildings - A walk through the town on footways paved with small, irregular shaped local stone blocks, Argentinean steak done Portuguese style –local red wine - the reason that you travel!

Back on the excellent motorways towards Lisbon - Perhaps Chaos you really have deserted me.

Sparse broad acre country with Patterson’s curse, broom and other wild plants, superb roadside stops – BP Australia you need to see how to treat a traveller – more sparse broad acre country, the occasional flock of sheep represent some of the first livestock we have seen as we traverse the coastal and southern regions of Spain and Portugal.

The gate to Lisbon – a pretty suspension bridge – past the massive statue of Christ – through the tunnel along wide road – negotiate the traffic at the monument – turn left and enter the hotel parking sanctuary. Chaos you have truly deserted me!

An Ok hotel – May day – no one at work – we watch the March that takes an eternity to get started – too many organisers and not enough workers for an efficient operation – does that say something about management and unions? the girls intrigued by the traditional dress of the locals as they parade along the Avenue past modern business mini -edifices

The Portuguese not known for their food – how will tonight go? – a walk along foot paths paved with the same irregular yet flat stones – the streets are quieter than Spain – much less dynamic – feel very safe – the teller machines are mostly out of money – restaurants are fairly sparse – an Italian restaurant with one table left – magnificent bruschetta and pasta – nice wine – not sure about Portuguese food but you eat well – a long walk home through beautifully lit streets.

Ah Lisbon … you may not be exciting but you are very modern and comfortable!