:: It is no coincidence that this photo is identical to one I posted a year ago. How I could I go to Lisbon and not take the train to Belem in order to enjoy a pastel de nata (unbelievably good custard tart) - or two, even - in the most famous custard tarterie in the country? Definitely 'vaut le détour', as the Michelin Guide would say if it had its priorities right.
:: It may also not be a coincidence that I saw tiles to match the pasteis de nata and café crockery across the road from the Confeitaria. Lovely.
:: The flower-beds of Belem are full of pale blue-violet agapanthus...
...that match the facade of a hotel in Lisbon. Never underestimate nature's own colour-schemes. Or the power of a custard tart to lure you into making a return visit to the city.
:: I watched Casablanca in my hotel (everyone wants to get to Lisbon in the film but more for the passage to freedom than the custard tarts) with a 5cl miniature bottle of tawny port. It's scandalous that such a lovely drink can be put into such tiny vessels. Good job they sell it in grown-up sizes, too.
I suppose it isn't so very odd that these photos make Lizbon want to move to Lisbon?
Posted by: Lizbon | June 21, 2009 at 23:10
Was it April Cornell who says she gets inspiration for her fabrics from the colors of nature?
One day, some day, Willow and The Professor will eat custard tarts in Lisbon...
Posted by: willow | June 21, 2009 at 23:32
i'm glad you have enjoyed once more my city, that it's even more delicious in the summer! the sun gives a more special light and romance do the city, doesn't it? and the cherry's? oh my god! we say that conversations are like cherries, they never end (and we never want to end it...)
Posted by: joana | June 22, 2009 at 13:01
The flowers and hotel facade look so fresh and crisp in that lovely violet color.
Posted by: Laura | June 22, 2009 at 19:48
Your photo of the pastries in Belem make me SOOOO nostalgic for my time in Lisbon six years ago. Such a wonderful city! Thanks for bringing back fond memories.
Posted by: Courtney | June 22, 2009 at 20:54
ahhh, haven't had one of those tarts for a couple of years now since my mum last went...perfection!
Posted by: kath | June 23, 2009 at 11:46
Lovely! I so wish to go there again and waht a wise thing NOT to miss the pasteis directly in Belem!
Posted by: yvonne | June 28, 2009 at 23:53
I absolutely loved those tarts and would have licked the monitor if I knew I could get a taste! Mary Ann Moss was the one who offered me this crack tart post. Ohhhhh....she is bad.
Posted by: Maureen | July 01, 2009 at 14:42
Oh, that hotel facade is amazing....I just want to stare at it all day. Such a beautiful building! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Gina aka SleepyEyes | July 02, 2009 at 21:26
ohhh those tarts are so good! I remember going there and getting a photo of myself squashed in this crowd of people waiting for their tarts! nothing has compared since
Well done on your book! Looks like we are moving to the uk this september so I look forward to buying all of your books while I am there...amongst other things!
Corrie:)
Posted by: corrie | July 15, 2009 at 01:40