Dear Diary....

Thursday Day 6

We went to the SEASIDE !!!!!!

We set out early that morning after breakfast and drove to a beautiful walled city called Obidos. It was quitessentially foreign with narrow tall streets, and small shops, and it was my definition of Portugal ! Upon arrival, I walked with Fr Holdridge, and before long, the 2 of us, Fr Kevin, Spicer and Corbett had found a small coffee shop for a drink and a bun. Then before you know it, back on the bus to Nazare.

This was a bit of a trek, but it was a beautiful beach setting.

We arrived at lunch, and a couple of people were going to have their packed lunch from the hotel (2 bread rolls, ham, chees and some fruit), but I was having none of that. I'd hardly spent any of my money, and wanted proper food, so followed Fr Spicer and Smith to a beautiful restaurant at the end of the beach. I can't remember the name of the place but it was lovely, and very posh. The ceilings had drapes and chandeliers, and thick cloth napkins that scream classy!! And the view was superb.

I shall include what I had below. As an aperitif the waiter brought a plate of octopus, which I thought in for a penny in for a pound, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then for the main course, grilled Gilt Bream, which I don't know what it was, other than fish, but with salad, and veg. it was divine, followed by a chocolate mouse (It was the safest looking thing on the dessert tray). For non religious bits, this was the highlight of my week.

Following this we made our way down to the beach, and as it was nice, myself and Fr Spicer paddled, until the wind got up and we headed back to Fr Kevin, who was nesh, and sat on the beach wall!!! Shame on you.

All of this took up the majority of the day, but it was wonderful.

That evening after dinner, we were going to nip out for a quick walk, but ended up sat together in the bar.

Friday Day 7

Leaving day

I was up bright and early and packed for eight!

After breakfast the London group went on the half day excursion to the drug rehabilitation clinic, leaving us to have a last wander round before leaving at lunch. We walked in to town and down to the Capelhina where we said some last prayers before heading off to the café for one last drink. It was strange that after Wednesday which had been full to bursting with people, Friday felt like we were the only ones there.

We left the hotel at 1230, and after saying our goodbyes to Frs Stevens, Gray and Holdridge, drove in a large coach back to Lisbon , where we caught the flight back home. A big contrast I saw was when we took off, the sky was clear, and for a long time I could see the ground as we flew over the coast. On arriving back in England the clouds turned grey, then black, and as we got under the clouds it was just like a flood plain.

As we got into the airport, Frank rang the bus driver to pick us up, but he couldn't quite figure out how to get from the carpark to where we were. 15 minutes later he made it. The trip back to Worksop was made at Mach 10, but we all got back home safely, and said a collective prayer when we did.

To summarise, I enjoyed the week very much. I didn't get much sleep, and the food was, repetitive, but I can't think when I will ever carry a Union Jack flag in a procession before 500,000 people again. The weather wasn't great for a couple of days, but it didn't stop me doing anything at all. We're British, we're used to the wet! We saw some lovely sights, and met some lovely people, Fr Stevens, Fr Gray, Paula at the rehabilitation clinic. It was a good week, and I feel like I certainly got something spiritually out of my time there.