Kia ora! Yes we are back in Wellington – a small pleasure at the end of a very long journey (Lisbon – London – Hong Kong – Auckland – Wellington). I know what day of the week it is, I know Scotland won their first World Cup match and I know that I am exhausted. Anyway, it is good to be home, sleep in our own bed, unpack our suitcases and know we don’t have to pack them again for some time. I do love to travel and our three months in Europe have been fantastic and full of wonderful memories and a thousand small pleasures, but now is time for a bit or regular routine (and a diary already full of things). Below is a picture of a small crowd gathered around a live band playing in Hong Kong airport, a nice idea to keep passengers entertained.
A house and a garden
My nephew and family are soon moving house into a wonderful new space with all sorts of things from almost invasive passion fruit, pomegranates, lots of other fruit trees from plums to pears and this oleander. We are already thinking how we can go back and visit.
The market
The day after getting back to Setúbal from our trip to Porto, we headed down to the wonderful Mercado do Livramento food market to have a wander around and imagine what we might buy if we could. Below is a charcuterie counter and one of the ones offering cheeses.
There was fresh fish and bacalhau…
There were vegetables…
…and fruit and all around the edges, butchers counters selling every sort of meat imaginable. This is clearly used by locals, discussing produce and coming away with delights for dinner.
Tróia
After the visit to the market, we walked to catch the catamaran over to Tróia, spotting this fox on a wall. We had a short time to wait before crossing over, so stared out at the water and admired the view.
Tróia sits on the estuary of the Sado river, and is a real holiday destination. Once we crossed, we set off to walk to the beach, a long stretch of white sand, accessed by along boardwalk. Sun lotion and a hat are most definitely needed! When we reached the beach, we stopped for a lovely ice cold beer and sat and looked out at the sand and sea. It was quiet, being mid week and not peak holiday time, and it was fantastic just to enjoy this moment of calm.
Our last day
Our last day of the trip was Wednesday, and my nephew, wife and son took us up to São Filipe Castle, that can be seen from many points in the city. Completed in 1600, the now ruined fortress sits on the mouth of the Sado river. The fort was damaged during the 1755 earthquake and the residence of the Governor of Setúbal, at that time located at the castle was destroyed by fire in the mid-19th century. It was classified as a National Monument in 1933. Below you can see some of the ruins and the fantastic views from the top, including windmills (bottom left). It was a great place to visit, with a lot to explore (small exhibitions of archeological remains, the former chapel).
Eating
No small pleasures post would be complete without mentioning food. On Tuesday when we were over in Tróia, we had a nice lunch of a tuna salad for me and lasagne for Karl, along with a beer and a glass of wine. We had lunch at the restaurant at the castle on Wednesday, where I enjoyed the excellent crispy tuna (coated in sesame seeds) and the others enjoyed a chicken mustard dish and pork, washed down with a white sangria that was very good. I finally got a pastel de nata at the airport. Not sure why I waited so long but I did enjoy this little custardy tart.
Simple things
- Eating freshly picked plums and blackberries.
- Having a shower at Hong Kong airport…long haul travellers will understand!
- Sleeping in our own bed.
- Coming home to find our friends had left bread, cheese, fruit and treats for us coming home.
- Enjoying freshly baked muffins left by our neighbour.
- Going food shopping for some good things.
What were your small pleasures this week? Here are some other blog posts from a few fellow bloggers looking at the good things in life.
- Carol Ann shares her weekly special delights.
- Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens goes to a brewery.
- Natalie goes on a Great Beaver Quest.
- And The Travel Sketcher is now in France and shows us some of his wonderful sketches.
- Mr Tootlepedal has a gentle day.
- While Ilze shares the sky before the storm.
- And Maria has a special visitor.
- Neal shares his five happy things on a Friday.
- And Laurie celebrates June in Maine.
- Ju-Lyn celebrates swirls…and delicious looking cupcakes.
- And Jo of Story Crumbs enjoys a cheese scone in Wellington.
- And The Glasgow Gallivanter shows the post boxes of Malta.
- Finally….Mr Platypus shares a picture of a loan shack.
- ..…and all the other lovely bloggers out there. Sorry if I have missed anyone…..
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer and good food. Thistles and Kiwis can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thistlesandkiwis
Thistles and Kiwis 
The castle was closed the day we went up there in Setubal, but we did enjoy the views. Glad you enjoyed the trip, Barbara, and can relax a bit at home xx
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It was such an amazing three months with so many memories.
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Welcome home! I enjoyed reading about your trip.
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Thank you!
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Welcome back home! It may have been a long journey but ended the way you hoped. . . all well! Thank you for all the photos from there and here . . . the food ones of market and meals of course draw my eyes first! We like the same cheeses . . . 🙂 !
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The market was wonderful.
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Sleeping in one’s own bed is one of the great pleasures of returning home. How lovely to have such thoughtful friends too 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I agree – with both things!
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That Lisbon–London–Hong Kong–Auckland–Wellington haul made me tired just reading it! The Hong Kong airport shower is a genuine lifesaver on the long legs — something we’ve learned travelling as a family too. Coming home to bread, cheese and fruit left by friends sounds like the softest landing imaginable. And São Filipe Castle with that crispy sesame tuna — what a way to end three months in Europe.
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It was a long journey (we were originally booked to fly via Dubai but…). The shower makes such a difference, and I can’t thank our friends enough for the welcome package. The tuna was so good – I can still taste it in my imagination.
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What a wonderful market!
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It was fabulous!
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Such a short time in Portugal, you will definitely have to return and your nephews new place sounds lovely. I have market envy – if only there was one like that near me. I have enjoyed your European trip, you certainly made the most of it. But I agree, getting home to your own bed is very much a small pleasure.
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There is plenty room for us to stay at my nephew’s new property so we will return definitely. We have so many memories from our trip it is hard to think of what was the most special.
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Even after a great holiday it is always good to get home.
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It is.
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Thanks for taking the time to mention me and my blog! What a marvelous time you had under that bright blue sky. But how good it must feel to be back in your own home. And what wonderful friends and neighbors you have!
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It is nice to be home but what a wonderful three months it has been. The kindness of friends and neighbours has made coming home even better.
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It’s hard to believe that you were in Europe for three months; it doesn’t seem that long ago that you left New Zealand. Time certainly does fly. I’m glad you arrived home safe and sound, and were greeted with treats from special friends. Welcome home! And thanks for the shoutout.
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It is hard to believe too. It was nice to get home, full of memories and impressions.
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I’m glad to hear you arrived home safe and sound. I so enjoyed following you on this amazing trip. I love Belum tarts and would have had one every day in Portugal!!
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It was a fantastic trip – a very special opportunity to experience living elsewhere too. Those tarts are so good!
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So glad you got home safely, though the journey sounds gruelling. Not only did we win but we are (temporarily) sitting top of the table!
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It is a long journey…the problem of living down here! Yes…Scotland ahead of Brazil, even just for a short time.
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I am glad that you got home safely. Bank that Scotland win among your good memories as there may not be another to go with it, though I am forever hopeful.
The beach looked wonderful.
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Yes it was as trouble free as it could be. At least Scotland has won one match…the Tartan Army can go home happy.
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There is no place like home!
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Goodness, that time went so fast but you will have so many amazing and happy memories of this adventure. We’re just home from a big trip too and I totally agree with you. Travel is wonderful but it is such a treat to come home and refresh in familiar surroundings. Are you going back to work or is retirement on the agenda?
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It was such a special time with so many memories, but nice to get home. Back to work at the moment but thinking about the next steps!
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Wonderful summary and wonderful that you are safely back in NZ. 😊
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Thank you! Settling back into life in NZ.
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Its great to travel, but always – in my view, anyway – a relief to get back home again. You have so many happy memories to look back on, and doubtless thousands of photos too. Enjoy!
And by the way, I love that foxy mural, definitely an eye-catcher!
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Yes it is nice to sleep in one’s own bed. That fox is very striking.
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