EUROPE 2025 : TWO DAYS IN LISBON

Sunday 14 and Monday 15th September

We were on a late Saturday flight to Lisbon. We stayed at Stay Hotel, Chaido. It's very well located and easy to walk everywhere in central Lisbon from there. And it's NOT at the top of a hill. The best advice I can give you for Lisbon is to stay low down. You are going to be climbing so many hills and stairs anyway; don't add to it!

We met Stephen and Vivienne in our lobby and went out in search of coffee with Pastei

De Nata (custard tartlets) for breakfast.

And Pasteis de Bachalau (codfish patties).

And a tot of Ginjinha. (cherry licquer). Favourites from our last trip to Lisbon. We strolled the pedestrianised streets and meandered our way down to the shore.

Everything is a lot busier and more touristy these days. Even the tinned sardines!

We wandered the windy streets of Alfama, up to St.Jorge's Castle. The higher you go, the better the view. 

In the evening we had sunset drinks at the hole in the wall - Rooftop Lisboa.

Followed by an excellent dinner and Fado at Solido. 

On Monday we tried to go less touristy for a bit. Catching Tram 28 AWAY from town instead of up to Alfama. It was still busy.

Going to Ourique market instead of Time Out. Not much going on there. So we went to touristy Belem.

And had more Pastei de Nata.

Then on to Pink Street for Portotonico and live music. 

Terry and Andrew arrived and we all met up for a repeat of drinks at Rooftop Lisboa and dinner sans Fado this time at Solido.

Don't mess with a plan that works!

Europe 2025 : Munich

Wednesday 10th to Saturday 13th September

Swissair to Zurich overnight. Now that there's wifi on the planes there's a tendency to try and catch up with all the outstanding admin and comms on the flight instead of getting a good night's rest.  Happy birthday to Neil for the 10th. We caught the train from Zurich to Munich and arrived in the rain.

Motel One is a handy option near the station. We don't do anything touristy in Munich any more but we like to walk a lot, stopping for a coffee or a beer to people-watch. We mostly catch up with friends and this involves a lot of eating and drinking too.

The IAA Mobility show was happening all over town.

Saturday morning at 9am we were down at Kilian's Pub for old time's sake. We watched the Springboks thrash the All Blacks!

That didn't happen much in the days when we lived here and Kilian's was our local Saffer hangout.

Two weeks living the Joburg life

Friday 22 August to Tuesday 9 September

It was a busy time but we enjoyed the great Spring weather. Another Joburg plus is being able to get out of the city and into nature very easily.

We spent a great long weekend at Zebula with Carol and Jane, Megan and Pam.

And another relaxing three nights at Middelpunt outside Dullstroom with Hanlie and Andrew.

We caught up with friends and celebrated our birthdays.

We had a wonderful party for Tracy's 60th. 

And before we knew it, it was September 9th and we were on a plane to Zurich.