Up early to unpack top boxes, and move the bolster, seat-back cushions and all contents from electronics well and console boxes in readiness for 70,000km service at Mitsubishi Univex today. Met Joao Paulo - interesting history heading Mitsubishi racing team in Dakar Rallies, now manages workshop/ mechanics, body shop and spare parts. Updated blog notes in their comfortable clients’ lounge. Service all OK, but not so good news that batteries have run dry and in trouble. Will fill and slowly charge over 24hrs to try and restore. Given toy Cantor truck, visors and lanyards for being "distinctive customers".
Drove to Azulajo Tile Museum, Spanish and Portuguese painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework - different styles, techniques, themes and centuries. Tiles were not only ornamental on inside and outside of buildings but also chronicled history, and had a functional capacity (eg motifs rebuffing evil, or temperature control in houses). Italian potters during Renaissance introduced techniques which allowed allegorical and grotesque themes to be captured.
There was an exhibition of modern tilework and artisans restoring antiques. Enjoyed a coffee watching turtles in enclosed gardens before departing this very interesting museum.
Past Belem Tower, commissioned by King John II to be part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. We stopped to see Monuments to the Discoveries at dusk, then had dinner at Belem, watching lights on 25 April Bridge.
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| Belem Tower |
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