Rain, Rain Go Away

The nice sunny weather came to an end yesterday. It was grey and cold when I went out for a short run and started to rain when I got back. Paulo had to do some testing on some of his athletes, so I got to meet some more Portuguese triathletes, including one of the women on the team. They have very few women in the sport here which is a big difference from the US and especially the Bay Area. My club is about half women.

After a late lunch, we drove south if Lisbon to the peninsula to an old monastery set at the end of the cape on a cliff. Got some great photos, even with the bad weather. It was then to a castle ruin on a nearby hilltop, then down to the beach where the only beachgoers were seagulls. We then drove through the hills (which reminded me somewhat of the Marin Headlands and the area around Mt. Tam). More photos and then it was time to head back to Lisbon, with a stop on the way for coffee.

After a short nap, we headed over to Paulo's sister and brother-in-law's house for dinner. It was the best meal I've had in a long time--roast pork stuffed with plums, chestnuts, rice, veggies and bread with pumpkin jam. Lots of laughing, some wine, dessert and coffee, and then Fred started playing the guitar. Around midnight Paulo, his sister, her friend and I went out to the Irish pub where there was live music. All in all, a great day.