Showing Sintra to a friend

A lovely sunny Saturday, showing beautiful Sintra to a good Canadian friend. No matter how many times I go to this place I always see new details.

It was the first time I noticed this Arts School and it was possible to go in/up and see the view. It was nice to see what the students were working on.

Longer days, glimpses of blue sky

We're almost there...

Just a few more rainy days and the sun will come to stay. I welcome the warmer temperatures, the longer evenings growing longer day by day, and, at the same time, I enjoy the quietness of these last Winter days.

* photos 1, 3 and 6 were shot by J

The best thing I read today: "Attention is..."

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” Simone Weil

Get a light ***

Odd bits: unusual random details I recently noticed in my walks:

*** the phrase on the window, on the first photo, reminds me of a poem I really really like:

"When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.”― Patrick Overton, The leaning tree

Erands + tiles + a sunny spot

Small grocery stores, hardly surviving,in the old neighbourhoods of this city. Such a different feeling to buy things from these places. All it took was a glimpse of sun to get me out there. Soaking it in, sitting in a street bench. 

Flea market & LX Factory market finds

(did I ever mention I just love flea markets?)

Recently enjoyed things

1 - Sea breeze freezing my cheeks during a walk by the sea.

2 - Savouring a delicious treat I love since I was a kid - after walking miles and miles...

3 - Although this is a messy form of advertising (a movie by a Portuguese director), this illustration caught my eye...

4 - Avocado, rocket and sundried tomato, an amazingly looking sandwich prepared by a friend to take on my train journey (delicious!)

5 - Finding my grandfather's first pencil case and a Singer tin toolbox with some of the original tools inside. I like these findings, just because.

Things I love

1 - Delicious vegetable curry + basmati rice.

3 - Flea markets and their random display of vintage items for sale (and bargain).

3 - Cats and their infinite capacity to find extremely confortable positions and places to nap on.

The first glimpses of Spring

The first glimpses of Spring blossoming outside.

More variety of flowers displayed in florists.

And even In the shops I noticed a long awaited come back of floral prints.

We're almost there...

Familiar places to walk, new things seen

The light was so bright today! Every water drop seemed to glow in the sun.

Even this hotel, newly painted in a bold lavender colour, stood out in a way it never did before.

Found a new place to have tea with friends in a future visit to this area.

Noticed a vintage advert to a classical portuguese toothpaste. 

Did bit of window shopping - these are two of my favourite haberdasheries. Lots of nice stuff.    

Not bad for a break of 1 hour and a half!