Final impressions of Porto and reasons to be cheerful!

Had easy & smooth journey back from Porto last night, arriving home about 9.30pm and before my final impressions of our visit melt away completely in the face of everything to do here at home, things that will stay with me include:

• the unique geography of the city with its two distinct banks climbing up steeply on both sides of the River Douro & the impressive high bridges between
• the large number of buildings with tall towers and spires spread around the city
• the low cost of everything
• the high proportion of young men with full beards, obviously in fashion at the moment
• the helpfulness of the local people in the shops, restaurants and bars
• the port (naturally!).

As our flight didn't leave till 5.40pm we had a long half day and it was the warmest and sunniest day of the trip, I even got to wear my sunglasses for a couple of hours, which I'd optimistically taken along, and we had a coffee in a little square and basked in the sunshine for half an hour. We took in an exhibition of 40 photographs celebrating human rights and dignity at the Centre for Photography, and also enjoyed a small exhibition of cameras that had been used for Espionage, real James Bond stuff, which included cameras disguised as portable radios, cigarette packets and brooches. The building used for this is the ex-prison and Court of Appeal and there were some great views from the upper levels with the city looking great in the sunshine.

We took a walk along the river going towards the Atlantic, which we hadn't previously had a chance to explore. The old trams passing us on the way to Foz on the coast were all full; that was a trip we weren't able to fit in, but is apparently worth making.

Then back to our hotel, Hotel Eurostar das Artes, which was very comfortable and well situated for getting around the key areas, to pick up the bags and head off for the Airport bus.

This has been my first trip abroad and my first time away with my husband since my retirement and knowing that I didn't have to go  back to work certainly took some of the sting out of leaving Porto. In addition, I know that in less than a month we will be setting off for Europe again, and this trip has only increased my anticipation and sense of excitement at the prospect of exploring so many new places over a 4-week period.

The message from my friend on our last morning in Porto confirming she had secured the Springsteen tickets for Wembley on 5th June was another reason to feel that life is sweet!