Ups and downs

A trip out today on the cable car up to Monte, a steep but smooth ride. Then on the second cable car across the valley to the botanical gardens,- terraced gardens cut into the hillside, lots of steps!!
Return trip on the cable car to Monte then the famous toboggan ride 2kilometres downhill in little more than a bread basket on wooden skis - definitely an experience not to be missed - great fun.
A long walk back to the hotel stopping for a while to watch some sort of military ceremony, soldiers stood out in the heat of the sun, lots of dignitaries sat under the shelter of a canopy, speeches and singers (all in Portuguese didn’t understand a word) a little bit of excitement when one of the soldiers keeled over in the heat. We watched for about half an hour then carried on our journey before we joined the fallen soldier.

Out later for a lovely meal at a restaurant that had been recommended to us - so delicious we’ve booked to go back- then back to the hotel, to find a cake had been left in the room for me. What a lovely way to spend my birthday.