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I love adventure and exploring new places.

Summer Adventures: From Maputo to Brighton

Finally catching up to the summer photos! This is what happens when you procrastinate… Thousands of photos to trawl through and a feeling that life is passing by way too fast.

Before we left, we did a sunset cruise in Maputo, beautiful skies and scenery. Then it was time to travel to the UK to see friends and family, and attend Mari’s graduation! Very exciting.

A sunset view of a bridge over a shimmering body of water, with silhouettes of trees and distant structures in the background.
Sunset view with a sailing boat on the water, featuring clouds and a bridge in the background.
Fishing boat navigating through water with seagulls flying around.

It’s always exciting to go back to Brighton and see friends. Being away from close connections can be tough, so these visits feel like a proper recharge, full of laughter, catching up, and simply enjoying being together.

Brighton brings back so many memories of life with the kids. Streets are familiar and popping into old favourite spots remind me of all the little moments that made those years special. It’s a mix of nostalgia and joy, and some sadness but it is also a perfect reminder of why this place will always feel a little like home. When I am asked where I would go back to, I always think, Brighton!

A couple standing on a pebbly beach, embracing while seagulls fly above them. In the background, a stone pier juts into the sea under a clear blue sky.
A very windy day in Brighton!
View of Brighton Pier against a blue sky with clouds, showcasing the iconic seaside structure and beach in the foreground.
Never get tired of capturing the Pier from different angles, different skies…
A weathered boat on a pebbly beach with clear blue skies and calm sea in the background.
A vibrant mural of a green-skinned woman with intricate blue facial decorations and a butterfly, surrounded by lush ivy.
Person sitting on a bench in front of a colorful geometric mural, wearing tie-dye pants and a green jacket, holding a drink.
Walking the streets of Brighton and I see this guy! What a perfect blend of colours and a great way to meet new people.

One of the best things about being in Brighton is how close it is to the South Downs. It still amazes me how quickly you can go from the noise and busyness of the city to wide open fields and endless views. Within a bus ride, you’re surrounded by green hills, fresh air, and that feeling of calm that only comes from being outside in nature. A walk with friends is all that is needed!

Group selfie taken outdoors with lush greenery in the background and a large mushroom formation nearby.
Three friends standing on a gravel path surrounded by grassy fields and trees, with a cloudy sky overhead.
A couple smiling for a selfie in a scenic countryside setting with grazing cows and rolling hills in the background.
A selfie of two friends in a gym, smiling and making silly expressions. One friend is flexing their bicep while the other is laughing. The background shows various gym equipment and people exercising.
Really enjoyed going to the gym with Joshie, what privilege to be able to work out with my son!

Mari graduated as a Vet Nurse and we were lucky to be able to attend the ceremony. Usually these things can be a little boring but the speeches were inspiring and it was moving to see so many young people wanting to dedicate their lives to animal welfare.

Crowd gathered under a 'GRADUATION' banner at the Royal Veterinary College, with people dressed in formal attire
A group of four people pose for a photo outside, with a fountain and buildings in the background. One person is wearing a graduation cap and gown.
Street art featuring a black bird on a red shape against a white wall.
London graffiti

Jaysh and I have been friends since around 1991 — so long that I’ve honestly lost track of the exact year. We’ve grown up, grown older, and shared so many chapters of life together. There’s something really special about friendships that have lasted that long; they hold all the versions of who you’ve been over the years.

Whenever we can, we try to take time out just for us, usually a night away somewhere new. This time, we went to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens in Cranbrook, Kent. It’s one of the most famous gardens in England, and it’s easy to see why. The gardens are stunning, incredible flowers and beautiful woodland walks. Walking and talking there felt like the perfect mix, a reminder of how special it is to have someone who’s known you for so long, and how time spent in nature calms the soul.

Two women seated on a wooden bench in a garden, surrounded by vibrant purple flowers and green foliage.
A rustic wooden door framed by a brick wall and green foliage, creating a charming and inviting entrance.
Close-up of a vibrant flowering plant with orange and yellow spikes, surrounded by green foliage and other flowers in a garden setting.
Close-up of a single purple poppy flower surrounded by green foliage.
A group of sheep resting under a large tree with lush green leaves.
A picturesque riverside view featuring a charming, thatched-roof gazebo surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
View of Brighton beach with a calm sea, cloudy sky, and the pier in the distance.
Hastings Pier at sunset
A seagull perched on a window sill, looking towards the beach and the sea in Brighton, with beach sand and cars visible below.
Seagull trying hard to get into my room!

Time to head off to Lisbon for some family time. I can’t believe I always forget to take photos of family and friends and I leave wishing that I had! Every year I do this but when I go back this Xmas, I will make a point of capturing memories. I sense a lot of nostalgia writing this blog. Going back is exciting but also painful at times; a reminder of what I have left behind and the people I miss but an opportunity for new adventures and a life of constant change.

A person standing inside a modern building, looking out through a large glass window that frames a view of lush green trees and pathway.
Modern Art Museum, Gulbenkian in Lisbon
An architectural view of a wooden structure with a curved roof, supported by slender black pillars, creating a dramatic overhang. The pathway beneath is lined with small stones and leads into a green surrounding area.
View of modern architectural structure featuring wooden slats and metal supports against a clear blue sky.

One thing I love about Lisbon is the amount of excellent graffiti around the city. There are some incredible artists. I love Bordalo II, his work consists mainly of large installations and murals made from recycled rubbish to highlight waste and over consumption in our world today. These are some new ones in Lisbon.

A large mural of two storks painted on a building wall, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate details.
Colorful street art mural featuring a stylized pig, geometric patterns, and playful cartoon characters on a wall.
A large mural featuring a whimsical, anthropomorphic rodent with big eyes and a playful expression, surrounded by colorful graffiti on a city wall.

Vhils is another amazing artist. He scratches, drills, and uses bleach to tear away at billboards and walls. His work is a “reflection on the fragility of human beings and their relationship with their surroundings. Through his work, he invites us to reflect on the social, political and environmental issues of our time.” The one below is a collaboration with Bordalo II. The Portuguese Embassy in Bangkok has a beautiful piece which is described as: “to help make visible the invisible history of Bangkok, in a tribute to the people of this neighbourhood, this city, this ancient wall and the historic ties between Thailand and Portugal, with graphic and figurative elements that highlight what we share in common and brings us closer as human beings.”

A vibrant mural featuring a monkey's face alongside artistic representations of various textures and colors, showcasing street art in Lisbon.
A large mural featuring a series of faces and abstract designs created by an artist, highlighting social and environmental themes.
Portuguese Embassy, Bangkok
A weathered metal gate with blue panels and a decorative design, partially obscured by blooming greenery and branches, set against a textured wall in Lisbon.
Walk about in Lisbon
A sunny plaza in Lisbon featuring a circular pond, surrounded by trees and colorful buildings, with people relaxing in the background.
A reflective modern structure partially hidden among trees, mirroring the building beside it.
Old Church reflected on a new building
A woman in a black crop top and patterned leggings stands in front of a colorful graffiti mural featuring a stylized face with vibrant hair and fantasy elements.
Mari blending in…
Colorful graffiti artwork featuring a stylized yellow tram and vibrant abstract designs.
Person standing against a pink wall adorned with greenery and flowers, wearing a blue patterned shirt and beige shorts.
A vibrant piece of street art depicting a figure working on a structure, set against a backdrop of colorful graffiti on a wall partially covered by greenery.
A charming building in Lisbon adorned with vibrant pink bougainvillea cascading over the entrance.
Coastal view of a village with white buildings perched on a rocky cliff, overlooking a blue ocean and a sandy beach.
Azenhas do Mar, close to Lisbon

We spent a couple of days near Zambujeira do Mar in Alentejo with Jorge e Filomena, always so beautiful…

A scenic view of a sandy beach with gentle waves lapping at the shore, surrounded by rocky cliffs and a clear blue sky.
A panoramic view of a picturesque beach featuring golden sand, rocky formations, and clear blue waters under a partly cloudy sky. Several people are seen enjoying the beach.
A small white chapel with a red-tiled roof, situated near the coastline under a clear blue sky.

We met Joshie in Pinhão, in the Douro Valley. Although we have travelled to most places in Portugal, somehow we had not been to this area. It is absolutely stunning! We did a 10km walk from Pinhão to Casal de Loivos with the most scenic views. This area is know for its wine production, especially Port and for its stunning terraced vineyards and landscapes. It is recognised as one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world and parts of it are a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

A person standing under a modern architectural structure with warm lighting, approached by nightfall.
A person standing thoughtfully beside a tiled mural depicting scenic landscapes, with a building featuring green doors and decorative elements in the background.
Pinhão train station. Apparently, it is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. Trains go along the Douro river all the way to Porto, well worth it.
A train station platform in Portugal featuring a large wall clock and decorative blue and white tiles depicting scenic landscapes.
A person practicing a martial art stance on a wooden railing by a riverbank, surrounded by green hills and buildings.
Scenic view of a river with traditional wooden boats docked in the foreground, a bridge spanning across the river in the background, and terraced vineyards on the hillsides.
A person peeking out from a window of an abandoned building, surrounded by overgrown vegetation and scenic hills in the background.
A weathered wooden door with metal fittings, set into a white wall, under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
A scenic view of a white house nestled among olive trees on a hillside, overlooking a river.
Scenic view of terraced vineyards and white buildings along the Douro River, with mountains in the background and boats docked in the foreground.
Scenic view of the Douro Valley with lush green hills surrounding a calm river under a partly cloudy sky.
A selfie of three people smiling in front of scenic terraced vineyards and a river, with a clear blue sky above.
Up we go
Scenic view of terraced vineyards and a river winding through the Douro Valley in Portugal, showcasing the lush green landscape under a bright blue sky.
Two men posing back-to-back in a playful manner against a scenic backdrop of rolling hills and a river, with clear blue skies.
The top is conquered!
Two men playfully pose at a viewpoint overlooking a scenic landscape with hills and a river in the valley below, under a clear blue sky.
Scenic view of terraced vineyards and the Douro River in Portugal, under a clear blue sky.
Pinhão is all the way down there…
Scenic view of terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley, Portugal, with rolling hills and a river running through the landscape under a clear blue sky.

There are many viewpoints to explore with magnificent views.

A person sitting on a swing overlooking a scenic landscape with rolling hills and a river in the valley below.
Two people joyfully posing on a viewing platform overlooking a scenic valley and river in the Douro region of Portugal.
A couple standing together on a balcony overlooking a scenic view of terraced vineyards and hills in the Douro Valley, Portugal.

We stopped for lunch in Tomar. It used to be the former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar and the Convent of Christ has a fascinating history and architecture. It was originally a Templar stronghold in the 12th century, it later became a convent and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can see it on top of the hill in the photo.

View of a picturesque town along a river with a small waterfall, featuring charming buildings and lush trees under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a riverside town, featuring white and yellow buildings with tiled roofs, trees lining the riverbank, and a waterfall flowing over rocks in the foreground.
A group of six people smiling together under a wooden structure, enjoying a sunny day outdoors.
We end our trip with a visit to my niece and her family and her cute doggo! I did visit other lovely family members but sadly didn’t take photos… Next time.
A playful dog lying on its back with its paws in the air, showing a happy expression and bared teeth.
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2 responses to “Summer Adventures: From Maputo to Brighton”

  1. Graeme Richardson-Locke Avatar
    Graeme Richardson-Locke

    It sometimes take a little time before I get to enjoy your blog, but I always love them and am inspired by you photography and reflection xx

    Reply
    1. lisbonchick Avatar
      lisbonchick

      Hey, there is no rush! Glad you like it and coming from you, it is an honour that you like my photos. xx

      Reply

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