After a really hectic start to the year, with a new grandson born in March and my youngest daughter’s wedding in June, we decided to book a five-day break to Porto for a bit of a rest! We had been in the city for a couple of days and had enjoyed exploring it on foot, admiring the ceramic tiles in the station and tucking into the pastel de nata pastries. We were wandering over the Dom Luis bridge, having spent the afternoon visiting the Sandeman port cellar. It was there that I noticed the very colourful houses to the right of the bridge. They really caught my eye - it wasn’t a view that you normally see in the brochures. There were Portuguese flags, satellite dishes on the roofs and the day’s washing on the line. It made me think that I was seeing the ‘real’ Porto, where the locals live, and not just the usual tourist attractions.
STEVE SULLEY
is from Nottingham and retired early to see the world; he’s visited 25 countries in the last four years