We are home now but do have a story to tell

Here we are leaving Pedras at about 10:30 Thursday April 11th.

We went to Fatima then on to Lisbon. 8:30 Friday morning we got on to the shuttle. It took about an hour and a half to get through several layers of security. At 10:00 we got to the gate which had about half the required seating. We sat on a window sill.

At about 11:00 we were told the plane was ready so we got in line right behind the group of 12 who paid too much for their seats. In ten minutes we where on the way to the plane, well sort of. We were on a standing room only bus. After about 5 to 10 minutes we noticed that after the family of six who came behind us there seemed to be no movement.

A nice lady came down and said we had to wait. The plane had not been fuelled. We stood on the bus until just after 11:30 or as we call it take-off. Finally there was movement and the bus filled up. Then after about 10 minutes we took the 2 or 3 mile ride to the plane which apparently was actually at the Lisbon Airport.

Once on the plane we were ready to go.

Happy Travellers

We sat and waited finally the captain came on and said the airport was closed. A tire had blown on landing and the runway needed to be cleaned. Twenty minutes later he came on again to say the runway would be cleared in about 30 minutes then we would take off in about half an hour due to the back up caused by the closure.

I did not keep track of the time but I believe it was now about 1:00 P.M. or and hour and a half after take off. About 45 minutes into our wait the captain came on again to say there was a further delay. While we were waiting to take off someone had noticed a dint in the outside of a door. It was not explained how someone saw this, but it was explained that now we had to wait for an engineer to come and OK the plane for take off.

We sat waiting, while we did this the crew were veery kind explaining that they knew no more than us. After about 30 minutes the crew came on to say that by law they could not keep us on the plane for more than an hour and a half. We had been on the bus for half an hour then the plane for about two hours. It was indicated that as soon as the busses arrived we would be deplaned. Once again we waited for about half and hour. 

The next announcement was the busses were busy, but as soon as they were available we would be deplaned. After about 20 minutes the crew announced that the busses were here but the airport had nowhere to put us so we needed to wait. There were a couple of announcements concerning no secure site at the airport. Then the crew came on and said that while we waited the engineer had arrived and OKed the door so it would only be about half and hour for the paperwork to be finished. 

Finally the crew announced that once again we were ready to take off and were 4th in line. About 4 hours late we took off for our 8+ our flight.

Kelly and Papa ready for sleep which never came

We arrived 4 hours late, stood up, got our carry-on, and started for the door. The crew then announce that there was a back-up at immigration and were would have to wait for another 15 minutes. We did get out of the airport before dark.

Mary took a picture of Margaret and Joan waiting

April 11 visit to Fatima

On the way home we took a detour to Fatima. I took two wrong turns on the way so we did not have much time but did say a prayer in the chapel.

Chapel

Altar

Happy Travellers

Grave

Grave

Donkey in a field

From time to time we have seen gypsies with their horses. Sometimes we just see horses tethered in a field with no-one around. Today after doing our last little bit of shopping we saw a donkey in a field just beside the shopping mall.

Monday April 8

Not much happening we are all still fighting the last little bit of our colds. I will bowl tomorrow, but that is about it. Wednesday we will go to Faro to get our big car, Thursday we go to Lisbon then Friday we fly home.

This morning I got another picture of the baby birds. It turned out that when I took the first picture one of the babies was eating. There are actually 4 babies. See you all soon.

Portuguese bull outside a store in Tavira

Baby Birds are here

Last month I sent pictures of the bird nest outside our bedroom. Just after sending the post yesterday I went into our room and decided to get some pictures of the babies.

This is not easy, bur because the mother was feeding them I did get a picture of the three of them wait for breakfast.

Mother feeding babies

Babies waiting for breakfast

Just about better

Good morning

Nothing to report. I did go bowling yesterday, but generally we are lying low. This morning April 4th we are all feeling a lot better and slept a lot better. I thought I should say something, for saying nothing may be interpreted as we are all not only sick but worse.

A week today we head to Lisbon.

Still paying for our trip to Gibraltar

Good morning to everyone
Today is Sunday March 31, 2019. Last night the clocks sprung forward one hour. We are now back to a 5 hour time difference with home. I should note that the sun is not our as it has been. It comes and goes with rain and thunder storms expected.

I started out saying we were still paying for our trip. While on the bus I heard a lady coughing, while Trish knew she was directly behind her. By Wednesday I dad a mild cold and Trish had it by Friday. I bowled on Friday but would not shake any one's hand. Friday night all three of us were feeling bad. We think it is finally breaking today, Sunday.

We will be fine, but are all reminded you have nothing if you do not have your health.

Tomorrow I play golf with Ron Austin again. I just saw that The Leafs lost again, so once again we are asking "What is wrong with The Leafs?"

We were just sent this picture from Trish's birthday party