Cafe Nicola, Rossio Square, Lisbon during first lockdown July 2020
Usually impossible to get a seat on the terrace at this old-fashioned cafe in central Lisbon. During the first lockdown we had three waiters arguing over who would serve us. When we were served we had the best gin & tonic I have ever had. Just Gordons, with regular Schweppes served over ice and lemon in a balloon glass.
Fujifilm X100
Esposende, Portugal, October 2020
We visited this small town north of Porto on the strength of an article in Monocle. The article highlighted the mid-century architecture of the second-homes built for the elite from the wealthy towns of the north during the 1950s and 1960s. It is indeed a charming town, good for cycling and eating fish.
Nokia 7.2 Snapseed
Mont Blanc, from Lake Geneva, Switzerland, 2019
We were in Geneva on business. Clare took a photo on her phone. It came out dark and gloomy, but came to life when I cheated and “watercolourised” it.
Wimereux, la plus belle station du Nord
We once owned a weekend apartment in Wimereux. Makes me happy just thinking about it.
Clare, Kaffee Haus, Lisbon, 2020
Highly recommended if you need a break from Portuguese or bland international cuisine. Authentically Austrian sausages and schnitzel, washed down with Gruner Veltliner or Austrian beer.
Notice the copy of Bob Dylan’s latest album propped nonchalantly on the chair next to Clare. I’d just bought it in FNAC. Very properly they don’t give out plastic bags. The disc (discs it’s a double) was shrink wrapped so I just carried it out like that. It got home unscathed and it’s fantastic late-period Dylan. His best in years, no question.
Nokia 7.2 Snapseed
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, February 2020
Before the pandemic affected the north of England, but with an appropriate sense of foreboding.
