Tuesday 23 July 2013

Boat Trip

It's a really hot day,
almost too hot to move,
but don't worry because
we can look at Lisbon from the sea.


It is a city of sailors and explorers


and these are the landscapes they saw
before they set out for new worlds


(gratuitous photo of sailing ship for my Dad)

the exquisite ivory Torre de Belém;


the multiple pinnacles of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos;


the arcades and grand arch of Praça do Comércio.


The Lisbon waterfront is a mixture of history,
modern architecture and container port.

This is the Museum of Electricity
which you will be disappointed to discover
that we did NOT visit. My bad.


The imposing Monumento a Cristo Rei
is seen through the bridge on the hill opposite,
a symbol of compassion for a city
struggling with the effects of the global recession.


I am delighted to spot the bold statement
"Landscape has no owner."
I imagine adding the word "Discuss."
in bright red graffiti


which tells me that my exam responsibilities
were more deeply embedded than I realised.

Bring on some rest & relaxation.

*****

Thank you all for your welcome yesterday.
Cake and kisses etcetera all round.

I'm a bit busy at work -
does anyone want to do the financial year end
so I can get on with replying to comments?
No?
Bother.

7 comments:

  1. Couldn't Mr M deputise? He has surely served a long enough apprenticeship.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Liz in Missouri, USAJuly 23, 2013

    Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome back although I see you have a load of work ... so maybe it's not as welcome as I wish it were for you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 23, 2013

    'Landscape has no owner' reminds me of Chief Seattle's Speeech (How can one possess the fragrance of the air or the lapping of the water? How can one buy or sell the air and the warmth of the land?')(my translation). Both inspiring. Cath

    ReplyDelete
  5. I`m from near Lisbon...
    ... miss home so much!
    Thanks for refreshing my happy childhood memories! <333

    ReplyDelete

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