Day 3 Tuesday April 9

 

Another long sleep with frequent awakenings and getting up way too early. At least we are able to walk downstairs and grab a coffee. Plan the day. Wait for breakfast. Woo hoo today I got the scrambled eggs. And they were great. Portugese tarts, croissants, cold cuts we really fill up for the day ahead. Not a lot planned but there sure are. a lot of hills to walk up so we need energy.

First up we have to break some 100 Euro notes which wouldn't go down well at a flea market. So it's round to Western Union to get that done first. Magnificent square around the corner from where we are staying in Alfama. 

From there we take the rocky road to Feira Da Lada which is the local Flea market. The day is glorious although it always seems a bit cold in the shade. The flea market is full of junk and we won't come across anything interesting. All the records look like they are in a state of decomposition. But luckily we found a little shop on the way out which as a great tin robot but sadly it's sold. Then Liz spies a giant celluloid fish hanging on the wall and she must have it. We spend the rest of the day protectively holding it.

From there we walk to St. George's Castle. The line to get in is long but moves quickly. A girl is playing a strange metal drum instrument which gives it a Game of Thrones vibe. The castle is quite cool with magnificent views over the city. We walk the castle walls, up and down stairs and wonder how no one slips or tumbles which they probably do. Sit in the courtyard and I get to try a Cod Cake which is basically a fish cake. Not much to it but this is from the cafeteria. There is a proper place outside so after the castle I go to the shop and buy another one. So much better. Supposed to be eaten with a glass of port but I leave that for another time.

We drop the fish home and have ourselves a siesta since it's about 2pm and the record shop I want to go to closes for an hour (many places do)  Wake up around 4 pm and walk to Groovie Records. It's a shop and a label pretty much like Off The Hip. Looks great inside. And yes the records are totally groovy. Buy a few introduce myself to the owner and give him a copy of The Fiction's new album. Turns out he is releasing Mick Baty's Kreep 500 album. So we have a good chat.

Walking back to the hotel we make plans for dinner but stop for a drink first. And they have Tapas so we end up grabbing a few things to eat. Nice and casual but then we realise we've basically had dinner. Maybe something later. But of course, by the time we get to the hotel and sit on the bed, it doesn't take long for sleep to overcome us.