We found this very hidden Gelato shop today. What a gem it is. The owner trained in Italy and now makes his own. Delicious. Repeat visit assured.
Highways in the sky.
One thing that I forgot to mention in my last post about running is the amount of walking that I have been doing since setting off to Europe over a month ago. I have done a lot of walking. For one the built environment makes it easier to just walk where we need to go. Second, I like exploring on foot. I believe that I get to know a place better by pounding the streets.
So while I might not have kept the running up, I’d like to think that I have been keeping the exercise going. …At least that’s the story that I am telling myself!
I haven’t written an update on my progress with the Watch to 5K program for over a month now. After being bitten by exhaustion from pushing too hard on Week 4, I had not felt like continuing. Or maybe I should say that I wanted to continue, but the motivation had taken a bruising. Knowing that I was headed back to Britain at the beginning of April for my mother’s 90th birthday, I thought that being abroad might spur enthusiasm, especially as my mother has a huge park on her doorstep.
No such luck.
I now find myself in Portugal. My wife was starting with a fitness coach here on Tuesday and I decided to use that happening to put my running shoes back on. I went back to the start of Week 3 of the program. Not a complete restart, but I also did not want to dive back into that difficult Week 4.
Running felt easier here. I don’t know why? Had I learnt from my earlier lessons? Was it running in less familiar surroundings, and not feeling as though I had to prove anything? Certainly before I had been working on the unstated rule that each run had to be a faster and/or further run. I was racing against myself. This time I did not push myself. I just ran at what felt like a smooth, consistent pace.
The result of that?
I felt better at the end. I was not exhausted, but felt as though I had got some running practice in. The distance that I covered was less than when I was running back home, but I was good with that. I am trying to telling myself quality over quantity.
The challenge now?
To keep this up with the hay fever season upon us. Time outside can quickly turn difficult at best, managing itchy eyes and tickling nose. If I am running this can be over quickly, or if I’m lucky, little happens.
I’ll be watching this space!
Church bell towers at dusk, complete with nesting storks.
🤧 Hayfever is no fun, even if I do try and put on a brave face when the attacks come.
We have just been to the supermarket and I was considering moving in permanently. The air conditioning filtered everything irritable out of the air, and for a few minutes I felt as though I was back to my normal self.
⚽ I think that the local, favourite football (soccer) team won last night? Just as I was about to go to sleep, normally a very quiet time here, car horns and fireworks started going off.
Monday May 6, 2024 Newsletter letter
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Monday May 6, 2024 Dear Friends, I realized this morning that I have been on the road now for five weeks. The time has flown by and so far it has not felt as disruptive as I thought that it might. Maybe because the time has been spent at home in Bristol, with my mother, and now another home here in Portugal. I don’t have all my accruements with me, and I miss not being able to reach for some books at times, but I also find myself quite content here.
Over the rooftops.
Taken in Sintra about a week ago. In the grounds of Biester Palace, a gem to visit to escape the crowds.
😮💨 I’m exhausted and am not entirely sure why? There was a lot of walking around Lisbon over the last couple of days for sure, and I slept well last night.
Yes, but that was sleeping off yesterday’s walking. Tonight will be an early night.
🚶♂️ It was as a joy walking through the streets of Lisbon early this morning as the world woke up. Few people around. A new day starting.
Late afternoon Lisbon light.
April Photoblogging Challenge, Bonus Day 2: Unputdownable suggested by @jimmitchell
An old church near to Comporta, Portugal.
☔ Where did that come from? It’s raining. The sun was out a few minutes ago.
Keeping an eye on you…or not.
We watched The Deliquents last night on Apple TV. A three hour Argentinian film about a bank employee who steals from his bank and enrolls the help of a fellow employee in his plans. The film explores the narrow thinking of the two men and how they handle the unfolding situations that they create.
I found it compelling enough to watch it all, but am unsure where to place it? One reviewer said that he felt that it would become a cult classic. An art film is another category that I would place it in. Perhaps watch it if you are interested in budding cult classics, or are simply curious? 🍿
April Photoblogging Challenge, Bonus Prompt 1: Bubble suggested by @paulrobertlloyd
😬 Those times when you need a gas (petrol) station, but just cannot find one.