The tourist information centre opened at 10am and we were there for top tips on what to see in Lisbon. The two day ‘Lisbon Card’ looked a good deal giving us free unlimited travel on trains, trams, metro and buses, and discounts on the entry fees to attractions. The tourist tram tour alone was €18 so the card looked a bargain. I parted with €52 determined we’d have a fab two days of sightseeing. In no time we were hopping off the train in the centre of Lisbon.

   The day was incredibly humid; we were unmistakably in the warm sector of TS Grace. A sprinkling of drizzle was most welcome to cool off as we set off for a walk to get a feel for the city while heading for the first stop on the E28 tram. We ended up seeing a lot more on foot than we’d planned after getting a tad lost, but we took in some wonderful sights, not to mention a stop off in a great coffee shop where we stood around a centre counter laden with beautiful pastries. Si had his best Pasteis de Nata yet.

   The old fashioned tram with wonderful yellow body edged in wood, wound its way through the old quarters of the city and past the cathedral, many monuments and fine buildings. I bet the locals hate having to fight for a seat with so many tourists taking the route. At the end of the line we changed trams and came back again, this time jumping off mid way. Our return to our coffee shop for lunch was a bad move as the restaurant at the rear had a totally different menu with none of the savouries on offer that we’d had our greedy eyes on earlier. I ate the worst tuna salad I’ve ever eaten and Si crunched his way through a crispy cheese and ham omelette.

   To burn off lunch we walked the long way up to Castelo de São Jorge and have to admit we stood confused with many other tourists for some time, all trying to get tickets out of a cash dispenser by the entrance! The ticket office was some way off on a different route up the hill. Doh! It was worth the climb and frustration however as the castle sits on the very top of the highest hill in Lisbon and the views were splendid. It dates back to the 11^th-12^th centuries when Lisbon was an important Muslim coastal city, becoming a royal residence from the 13^th to 16^th centuries. Major archaeological work is going on revealing evidence from the 7^th century BC: All very interesting.

   By now time was running short so luckily it was down hill to the cathedral. Santiago had set a beautiful standard to compare others, but the archaeological dig in progress in the cloisters was amazing with Roman ducting under the floors and various parts of buildings clearly visible.

   Next on our list was the Belem Tower which was a fair bus trip shared with commuters heading home. Unfortunately it was now getting rather cold and windy and we had disembarked from the bus several stops too soon. We crossed the railway and walked for some time but the tower was still some way off and would have been closed by now anyway. We gave up and caught the train back to Cascais reading about the tower in the guide book instead. It seemed late for the train to be so packed until I remembered that most of the passengers probably had a three hour lunch break.

   We were weary when we hit the supermarket for some essentials to see us through a couple of days. Tired bodies, aching arms and lots of bags called in for a late supper in a marina pizzeria. It was a late night with little sleep as an electric storm went through.