Cascais, Portugal

Tue 20 May- woke up to rain yet again! I thought this would be the dry warm sunny season, but we've had lots of rain, and lots more is predicted. After breakfast, Kiyomi did some work on the computer while I read. Finally the rain stopped and we walked along the beach promenade to Cascais, wandered around the town to the citadel (closed for renovation), to the church famous for its tiles (closed for renovation). It started to rain again, so we decided to have lunch at a nearby 'hole in the wall' restaurant advertising charcoal grilled food and packed with locals: jack mackeral and 'cherne' (turbot), served with boiled potatos, beans and carrots; 1/2 liter house white wine, bread & butter, olives, cafe and for dessert chocolate mousse and rice pudding; the total bill was less than E25 - less than half yesterday's cost and much better quality and quantity. It stopped raining, so we walked around some more admiring the architecture and gardens, Kiyomi investigating the shops, even though we don't need anything, and have more than we can comfortably carry. It must be a woman's instinct or something. We walked back to the hotel under clearing sky, observing how the ocean was grey and dark under the retreating clouds, and a beautiful blue under the blue sky. It was cool, but comfortable for walking. We enjoyed a picnic salad with wine.