Scotland and Portugal

Edinburgh with Kelley and Paul Read more

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April 6, 2022
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Day 1
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 1:26 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States San Francisco Airport station 37.6176, -122.3907837°37’3” N 122°23’27” W
SFO is our starting point
April 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We fly into Heathrow today and then onto Edinburgh from there. Kelley and Paul will join us on Friday. Not many photos as this is an overnight travel day, including nonstop to London Heathrow with a connection to Edinburgh. Renting a manual transmission car to drive on the left side of the road is not a good idea after 32 hours of no sleep. Pics inlude our lunch at Mustard's in SFO.Read more
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Day 3
Friday, April 8, 2022
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Scotland St Andrews 56.34986, -2.7974856°20’59” N 2°47’51” W
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First time at St. Andrews
April 8, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Today we got going early for a trip to St Andrews, the Home of Golf . It's about a 90 minute drive in the countryside. Linda keeps telling me to "stay right" as I tend to pull left with the car setup. St Andrews is surprisingly easy to find. We parked at the clubhouse and had lunch at Tom Morris' Bar and Grill. Morris has a revered name in golf and was the first Open Champion.
We had a tour of the Old Course led by Stephen, who loves the course and the town. We viewed the Golf Museum and St Andrews University. In many ways, this is a school town. We may return as there is much to see here.Read more
TravelerGreat picture...Ok, your friend (me) deleted Sue's number (blender) and just remember today. If you can send it to me again via, whats app, email or text. Looks like you guys have started off with a bang
4/14/22Reply
Traveler Woow!! beautiful.
7/19/22Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, April 9, 2022
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 210 ft
Scotland Princes Street Gardens 55.95167, -3.1966755°57’6” N 3°11’48” W
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Edinburgh- first day
April 9, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Today we four explored Edinburgh and walked to the famous Edinburgh castle. We take a tour on Monday.
We did take a tour of underground vaults which are a part of ancient city lore and legend. We also spent time in a beautiful city park with budding flowers and trees.
All that walking, over 12,000 steps per Kelley, we were ready for a great dinner at Wildwood, a local pasta restaurant. Everything hit the spot.Read more
Traveler beautiful.
7/19/22Reply
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Day 5
Sunday, April 10, 2022
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 259 ft
Scotland Old Town 55.94833, -3.1883355°56’54” N 3°11’18” W
Edinburgh
April 10, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
We were able to visit the National Museum of Scotland with Kelley and Paul today and found it to be a gem!
Along the way we discovered the Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery. This location is famous for having been founded in 1561 and for Greyfriars Bobby, a loyal dog who is reported to have guarded his master's grave for 14 years.
The museum reminded me of a wee Museum of Natural History that I used to visit in NYC as a kid. Packed with nature, history, Egyptian artifacts and mechanical works. Much too much for one day.Read more
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Day 6
Monday, April 11, 2022
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 253 ft
Scotland Princes Street Gardens 55.95287, -3.196755°57’10” N 3°11’48” W
Edinburgh Castle
April 11, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
We were able to walk to the famous Edinburgh Castle on this day. The fortress is in an impressive location, with steep cliffs all around and impressive sight lines to watch for approaching marauders. We also experienced a charming look at local ghost and witch stories on a short tour. Also managed to fit in a little whiskey tasting, of course.Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 220 ft
Scotland Calton Hill 55.95333, -3.18555°57’12” N 3°11’6” W
Train to London
April 12, 2022 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
A last view of Edinburgh castle. We then had a pleasant 5 hour train trip from Edinburgh to London today. Smooth and timely. The scenery was lovely along the way. Then a quick Uber ride to the Morton Hotel. And of course, when in London, head for Chinese food for dinner! Seeing London tomorrow.Read more
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Day 8
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:45 AM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 66 ft
England Westminster Abbey 51.5, -0.1283351°30’0” N 0°7’42” W
Churchill's War Room
April 13, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We were able to visit Churchill's WWII war room, below the streets of London near Downing Street. The importance of this intelligence center cannot be overestimated when it comes to the defense of Britain in the 30's and 40's. Many feet of steel reinforced concrete cover this secret bunker, which includes communications, map rooms, strategy centers and sleeping quarters. The visit also covered a museum dedicated to Churchill's life and times. Lots to see and absorb.
We also walked through much of London where I actually walked my feet off. That's right, nothing but ankles hitting the cobblestones. Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, etc. Great day.Read more
TravelerVery interesting!
4/24/22Reply
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Day 9
Thursday, April 14, 2022
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 66 ft
England Churchill War Rooms 51.5013, -0.128351°30’5” N 0°7’42” W
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The Tower of London
April 14, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We walked to the closest stop for the "hop on, hop off" bus today, with the Tower of London as our main objective, and Harrods as a secondary target. Tomorrow is a travel day, so we pushed it hard with a bag of "crisps" and a bottle of water 💧 as lunch. We also took the Underground a couple of times to help us get around. We only got lost once, and I swear it was due to poor directions from the Underground staff.
Big crowds today due the upcoming holiday, so seeing the Crown Jewels had a one hour queue. Checked out the towers, medieval castles, torture chambers etc. The Scots and the English seem to have a talent for torture techniques. 😬
Flying to Porto tomorrow!Read more
Traveler Thus picture reminds me of your wedding. The explanation of what Linda collects! 😂
4/24/22Reply
Traveler It's e Great Place to bi
1/29/24Reply
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Day 10
Friday, April 15, 2022
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 3,406 ft
Portugal Meixedo 41.84551, -7.7447841°50’44” N 7°44’41” W
Travel day to Porto, Portugal
April 15, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Today we caught a flight on British Airways from London to Porto, Portugal for the beginning of our river cruise on the Douro River. Airports were busy due to the holiday weekend. Tonight we stayed at a Sheraton downtown and met Shirley and Mike Maier for dinner. Not many photos today.Read more
TravelerSuch a cute picture of you two❣️
4/18/22Reply
TravelerObrigada!
4/18/22Reply
TravelerLove this picture of you both!!
4/24/22Reply
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Day 10
Friday, April 15, 2022
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 26 ft
Portugal Jardim Municipal do Horto das Virtudes 41.14073, -8.618841°8’27” N 8°37’8” W
Cruise time
April 15, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
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Day 11
Saturday, April 16, 2022
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 3 ft
Portugal Ferreira 41.14, -8.6241°8’24” N 8°37’12” W
Douro River Cruise
April 16, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Just starting our cruise with a ride through Porto to the river. We boarded the boat, and they lost my bag! From the dock to the room shouldn't be too tough. It was apparently delivered to the wrong room. Linda spotted it in the hall.
The rooms are fine with an efficient use of space. One wall is all window.
Beautiful weather in Porto today, with sunshine and about 70° F. We shove off in the morning. Looking forward to a relaxing week away from the rigors of retirement (all except Linda. She won't retire for a couple of months!)
Portuguese is a very interesting language, sounding to me as much like Russian as Spanish! Nice folks and the crew knows English 👍. Looking forward to this next week.Read more
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Day 12
Sunday, April 17, 2022
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 348 ft
Portugal Pinhao 41.19, -7.5433341°11’24” N 7°32’36” W
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First day on the Douro
April 17, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
It's Easter Sunday on the Douro River. We went through a succession of locks today, with one shown in the pics. We learned that these cruise boats are designed specifically for the river and its locks. There is no more than a foot clearance on either side of the craft as it is lined up in the lock. The captain's bridge even collapses due to the low overhead caused by steel supports in the locks.
Pinhao is the first town we visited. Only tourist oriented shops were open on Easter, but it was a beautiful day and good for a walk.Read more
Susan Formanek WOW! How interesting.
4/20/22Reply
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Day 13
Monday, April 18, 2022
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 338 ft
Portugal Rio Tedo 41.15667, -7.6441°9’24” N 7°38’24” W
Quinta do Tedo
April 18, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Today we took a drove to a family owned winery, Quinta do Tedo, in the Douro River Valley. Their speciality is port wines. The setting for this winery is idyllic and we had a perfect day for our visit.
The reaction to the wine was mixed, as I believe Linda and I like ports a bit more than Shirley and Mike, our travel buddies.
The winery is mostly set up for local distribution, but they will ship. They have recently signed an agreement with a US distributor, but in reviewing we saw that the distributor's prices were double the local price!
At this winery they still stomp the grapes with their feet. Visions of "I Love Luvy"?Read more
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Day 14
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
🌧 7 °C
Altitude: 2,667 ft
Spain Plaza Mayor 40.965, -5.6633340°57’54” N 5°39’48” W
Salamanca
April 19, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
Salamanca is an historic city in Spain 🇪🇸. We bussed here and spent the day touring and exploring. The city is noted for its historic cathedrals and its university founded in the 12th century.
We enjoyed the tour and the city very much. My high school Spanish was not much help, however. (We have been spoiled by the English speaking staff on our boat.)
We were entertained by a group of university troubadours just before we left on bus for the boat. Overall, despite some Scotland-like weather, a successful day.Read more
Susan FormanekBeautiful pictures! It looks like a wonderful trip.
4/20/22Reply
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Day 16
Thursday, April 21, 2022
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 1,673 ft
Portugal Jardim da Avenida Visconde Guedes Teixeira 41.095, -7.8141°5’42” N 7°48’36” W
Lamego
April 21, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Santuario de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios. Got it? Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies.
We visited the city of Lamego today. The big attraction is the hilltop Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, which dates back to the 18thcentury. The city, however, dates back 1,000 years. The sanctuary is 600 steps above the city square. Sadly, we were not able to walk all 600 steps as some sections were under repair. Overall a beautiful setting.
Our last picture from this group is the morning view from our stateroom on the boat. Moon view no extra charge.
Linda and Shirley were learning how to paint tiles this afternoon while we travel back toward Porto, where we will disembark on Saturday.Read more
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Day 17
Friday, April 22, 2022
🌧 11 °C
Altitude: 253 ft
Portugal Estação de São Bento 41.145, -8.6141°8’42” N 8°36’36” W
Porto and surroundings
April 22, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Today we took a tour of Porto as well as a bus trip to the Aveleda Winery, about 45 minutes away.
Old Town Porto has a varied history dating back over 1,000 years as it sits strategically at the mouth of the Douro River. It was originally settled by the Celts. In the 4th century, the Romans arrived and built it into a commercial port. It is the #2 city in Portugal. It is the home of port wine and,, they say, the name "Portugal ".The train station, in particular, has some beautiful tile representations of their history.
The winery has exceptional gardens surrounding it. The climate is more like our northwest with significant moisture feeding the thick growth. (at least that's my story when Linda wonders why our yard doesn't look like this.)
The wine was "green" and very fresh and simple.
Tomorrow we bus to Lisbon.Read more
Susan FormanekStunning pictures. I hope the weather is cooperating with you.
4/24/22Reply
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Day 18
Saturday, April 23, 2022
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 433 ft
Portugal Aguieira 39.61423, -9.0622739°36’51” N 9°3’44” W
Nazare
April 23, 2022 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Nazare is a beach town in Portugal famous for its beautiful coastline and large surfable waves. The town got its name almost 2,000 years ago in honor of
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Trip end
April 26, 2022