Turning The Clock Back Twice In One Day.

BOM JESUS DO MONTE (BRAGA).

The new bridge next to the site is suspended using high tensile steel cables. They whistle in the wind. Unfortunately, the sound is akin to running water. Several times in the night the sound awakes us.

We're up early to print a form for work. We call at Tourist Information where the lady allows me to use the printer from a memory stick. She shares all her family woes with Rosie whilst I do the necessary.

On to the Correos (post office), via a stationery shop where we make a large purchase of one envelope for 20 cents, to post the form to Denton.

Then, in trying to be clever, we got lost. A 20 minute walk took almost 40 minutes. But, as long as we kept the river on our left I knew we would be OK. Rosie on the other hand wanted to head out to sea!

Empty and fill the necessary containers and we're on our way. We've read that Portuguese motorways are expensive so we use the national roads. It's a great route through the hills, very green and rural. Rosie pronounces Portugal as clean, litter free and well built. In short, it has her seal of approval. I feel happier as I see two petrol stations offering LPG which is more than the whole of Spain.

Our site is at Bom Jesus Do Monte. An elevated church which pilgrims used to climb the steps on their knees. We in contrast take the funicular railway on the way up and walk down.

The bus takes into Braga. The driver changes part way through the journey but takes the time to point out to the next driver who needs to dropped where.

The street names are not easy to spot but a helpful girl points us in the direction of the cathedral. The guide book tells us that it is the main attraction. We learn that mass is at 5:30.

So we find the local Tourist Information office and check the times of the buses back to the van. A local coffee shop provides coffees and water for euro 2.40.

After mass, Rosie looks around the shops and I seek out a beer. A cafe in the mall looks good but the guy doesn't understand beer. Cervesa works better, 330 ml for euro 1.20 but I get the impression he wants to lock up.

We've agreed to meet at 7pm for the bus. However, I've forgotten that Portugal is an hour behind Spain. The bus doesn't exist. A glass of white wine and port warms us up. All for the sum of 2 euro. Definitely not tourist pricing. Back at the van by 8pm. Cheese on toast for supper washed down with a bottle of Campo Viejo Fresco Blanco. An excellent white rioja not found at home.

So, having gained an hour travelling into Portugal we also get to turn our clocks back overnight for the end of summer time. The chill wind reminds us that the year is rapidly coming to an end.