Poetry - July 2024
The Hills of Porto
A walk downhill is always welcome
But there's a walk uphill on the other side too
As I take to the city streets
Getting to the cathedral's majestic view
I can see the narrow winding ways
Heading down towards the river too
But that does mean one thing
That an uphill walk will be due
It's a case of up and down we go
Exploring the beautiful city of Porto
It's up and down the streets
And a sense of taking the hills as we go
Even getting to the Torré del Clergios
Has a hill to walk up just before
And climbing up the tower steps for some
May mean they can't just take it anymore.
(One thing well worth noting is the up and down walking up hills you will be doing in Porto. The views are majestic and it's gorgeous, but good flat shoes to walk in are an essential for deifnite.)
Beer Gardening At Night
A warm day and a cooler evening
Means it is definitely time to relax
Finding a place that serves nice beer
Along with some food and snacks
I had located a place on the map
That seemed to have the right vibe
Once we got downstairs past the bar
The beer garden was a lovely surprise
We were able to enjoy the evening
So relaxed and calm with a beer
Lots of choice for us both to drink
And staff that were all friendly here
The evening just went by so fast
With a lovely drink or two all night
The beer garden hidden away here
Was just something special and a delight.
(We both enjoyed the hidden surprise beer garden at Letraria in Porto - it had lovely beers, food and staff and I can't recommend it highly enough.)
Duoro Valley Delight
There are some train journeys to take
That really do sound so beautifully epic
Recommended by so many online
And having seen many a video and a pic
I wanted to do this for myself given the chance
And being in Porto gave us a good reason
We booked the tour in the vineyard at ready
And Saturday morning we set off in high season
The train wound its way out of Porto
With the greenery of the lush countryside
But then as we approached the River Duoro once more
The viaduct was a massive surprise
As we dropped down to the river bank
And so many stations situated alongside
That it felt so beautiful just being here
With the windows wound down and views outside
No interruptions, just the breeze in your hair
As the valley descended below you
The villages get smaller and prettier as we go
With a sense of the valley above you
As we get into Régua and the sense of the city there
It feels like we go into more wilderness
As the Duoro Valley offers more surprises
Tiny stations serving as halts for locals' business
We arrive at Pinhão with its lovely blue tiles
Ready to spend a day amongst the vineyard
With a sense that the train journey was so epic
And one which I can hold in very high regard.
(If you ever get chance to do so, the Duoro Valley Line is perhaps one of the most spectacular train journeys you will ever do. Seriously, it's that good..)
Amazing Aveiro
We were recommended to go there by a relation
With the canals all flowing through the city
Arriving there by train I did notice
That the station had artwork and seemed modern and pretty
We followed the main road along
And then I glanced towards the left
I saw the canal network for the first time
And we walked along with its ribbon bridges decked
It all seemed rather lovely
As we headed to where the boats were moored
A trip on the boat just had to be done
With a guide that was interesting, and not bored
Dynamically explaining all the places to go
And the bridges and their ribbons too
With the feeling of pride at the former ceramics factory
Showing restoration that was proud and true
We loved the canal and loved the city centre
With its narrow streets, squares and bars
A place that felt so modern and yet idllyic
And quiet too without all the cars
We walked back to the ceramic factory
Along the canal and over to a bar
Where we just felt so relaxed and content
That we really wanted to stay longer
We made our way back on the train
With the sea to our left as we headed along
Realising we'd had such a good day out
And one that we'll remember forever long.
(Well worth a trip out to Aveiro if you're around Porto. They call this place the Venice of Portugal and they were not wrong - a very pretty place, lovely and clean, and with heritage all over too.)
Reunited Cat Haiku
Brian sees Mummy
It's so good to have you back
As he purrs with love.
(Brian the cat misses his Mummy being away, but then really loves it when Mummy comes back.)