A day at the beach - Carcavelos

 I was determined to get Luka his day at the beach and the chance for a swim. So on our penultimate day I suggested we go to the nearest big beach about halfway between Lisbon and Cascais on the same line we did yesterday. Carcavelos.

Now I would love to say this was a secluded spot. But it very much was not. Its a proper tourist beach, with beach bars etc. It was crowded but not awfully so. I hired a couple of deckchairs for the day and we settled in. After a not terribly appetising brunch at the nearest beach bar.

Now I have to say Luka is a much braver man than I am. This is the Atlantic coast, not the Med. So it was a very warm sunny day. The sand was hotter than the centre of the sun - unlike Luka I would never have made it to the water's edge without my crocs. In contrast the sea was icy. I am afraid I chickened out and just paddled through the shallows along the water's edge. Luka went in at least three times. 

He also suffered for his day. Slightly inexpert application of sunscreen. I mean I remembered to bring the stuff, but he has to be responsible for using it at his age. Anyway, while mostly fine he got burnt shoulders and one or two other blotches were he missed bits. As you can see, pitiless blue skies.

Honestly he was not as grumpy as he looks!

Back in Lisbon we came across a tram jam!

Reunited with Eoin who had a chilled day at the flat after the excesses of the night before we headed out to a restaurant called Solar 31. It just so happened that both Eoin and I had eaten there the last times we independently had visited Lisbon, and we both felt it was the best meal we had on our respective trips. So back we came, Luka determining to try out some seafood. He had been a bit reluctant as he was scared of food poisoning from a previous holiday he had. I had been assuring him that he would be ok with the restaurants I would take him to. So here was the big trial. A proper seafood restaurant.

I am afraid I am a creature of habit. I loved the crab last time I came and wanted to do battle again. For which I was supplied with plastic bib. This would be messy.

The crab was every bit as delicious as the last time. Eoin admired my perseverance with the array of tools I was given to crack into the claws. It is part of the fun.

The lads both went for the octopus with shrimps. As you can see Luka was a bit put off by how much the octopus looked like, well, an octopus. But he admitted it tasted great despite his misgivings at consuming whole tentacles, suckers and and all. He isn't likely to taste better.

Dessert was good to, actually my cheesecake being slightly underwhelming, but their local custard delicacies went down very well. And we got a fourth dessert too - pineapple doused in port to share

This is one of those places where you can actually choose your own lobster from the tank

Possibly the happiest Eoin looked all holiday!!!

It was a good evening