I was up very early worried about our only clean undies left outside all night after we had heavy rain! Dried them on the room heater while I finish packing which seems much easier than the rush before we came out. I strip the bed and put a load of washing in Rita’s machine. I am impressed by the short cycle and everything comes out brilliant white. I must check the instructions on my machine when I get home. We pack the luggage in the Turnbull’s car and head off into Luz for yummie bacon & egg baps, healthy orange juice and delicious coffee. It’s beautiful & sunny so we sit outside again. The beach looks wonderful and is the perfect place to take a long look before heading to the airport. Rita drives and as we are early we decide to drive to Praia do Faro for a last drink. The beach is fabulous. We sit in a busy little bar right on the beach. Back at the airport still more time to have a glass of wine with the Turnbull’s in the sun outside the airport before checking in. We hug and say goodbye. We have been made so welcome and are so relaxed ready to hit anything that comes along again! Check in was very smooth and quickly we are through to air side. This is our fourth trip out of the U.K. since last October and it’s definitely getting much easier and feels safe. Roger purchases some spirits to stock our home bar and I pick up a few bits of cosmetics not available in duty free on the way out. The Ryanair flight is smooth and we land early at 18.30. Masks are worn everywhere inside shops and bars in Portugal and Spain, at the airport and on the aircraft. However after we land in the U.K. we notice that in the queue for immigration only 50% of people are wearing masks. A dramatic change as soon as we land! There is quite a queue for immigration but it moves quickly and we are soon collecting our one checked on case. We are out of the airport and on our way down to the train. I had booked an open ticket hoping for the direct train to Norwich. However the 19.15 had been cancelled and we were told we would need to catch the Birmingham train and change at Cambridge this was due at 20.21 so a real disappointment. We have a large Costa coffee and relax in the waiting room. We catch the said train tired and ready for bed. In Cambridge we get off the train and change platforms. The Norwich train is ready in the station so we make ourselves comfortable with our luggage and heavy duty free purchases of booze and confectionery. Half way to Norwich I realise we have left the cabin bag on the Birmingham train. There is absolutely nothing we can do and I am just praying the dirty smalls are not in that case! I ring Birmingham but the lost property is closed until 9 am in the morning. We arrive at Norwich and taxi home. Piles of Roger’s birthday cards greet us on the door mat. The house is freezing so we turn up the heat make a cuppa and find our warmest PJ’s, jump into bed for a warming cuddle. Reflecting on the two weeks we have enjoyed the company and warmth of our hosts at their beautiful new home. Thank you Rita & David 😘
Liquid Tales 