Madrid to Porto

Our transfer driver to Madrid airport knew all the tricks but the end of Easter traffic was diabolical. Two car accidents clogging the works added to his stress levels. However, we had allowed ourselves plenty of time and all went smoothly. Lyn had to endure a smallish jet to Portugal although at least she was spared propellers. The trip was so quick that the stewardesses fairly galloped up and down the aisle to deliver our munchies and coffee before the wheels came down again.

Our transfer driver was also our apartment meeter and greeter. He was full of information. The accommodation is great. We did our supermarket shopping, drank a half bottle of white and crashed for an hour. Then we walked. Lyn seems to see shopping opportunities here. We found a statue of Henry the Navigator, who unlike Columbus in Barcelona, was at least pointing in the right direction. We reached the Douro River and walked along it for a little. The vintage trams looked great. Our first impressions of Porto are that it is poorer than Spain and the old buildings need a good scrub. The tourist area of the old town must be booming though because there was new construction everywhere.

At the end of our walk we did some planning for our time here and had a quiet night in. Our major achievement was to do our washing.