07.35 We are still in Portugal, Porto, Residencial Aviz and room 315. There was some rumble during the night. It was the thunder on one occasion. On the other time the brits next door were returning home. All this according to Roberth but I didn’t hear a thing. We’ve seen a rainbow outside but it is gone now.

08.24 Yet another hotel breakfast is eaten. The clouds seem to hesitate about what to do today. They gather, part, spin and so on. Should they stay, go or even return?

09.24 We got ourselves a machinebought ticket to Braga each. We are standing, drinking coffee at Kafé Eurest here at the station. We will, after coffee, make the last arrangements before we board the train. We’ve seen the sun.

The train to Braga.

10.14 There are deciduous forests around us and soon we will make a short stop in São Romão. There are many stops on this Braga journey. We are travelling smoothly though and feel pretty great.

10.34 Roberth has just filmed a part of our journey. He did it while going between Trofa and Lousado stations.

10.46 We are leaving the station in Arentim behind us. There are some more stops left. That is good. What’s bad is the fact that the rain has increased. I do hope it is just for the moment.

11.28 We are in Braga. We’ve walked around near the cathedral and I am currently sitting on a bench in Igreja Da Misercórdia. The altar piece is fantastic. Roberth’s spontaneous reaction was WOW! From outside I can hear a flutist. The music is beautiful and sedate. Where did Roberth go?

Braga, a nice city in northern Portugal.

The fountain on Praça de Republica in Braga.

11.48 I found Roberth and both of us found a tourist information. There a lady gave us a map. We are now at Café Vianna. We are having coffee and a sandwich.

13.35 We’ve walked around in the older parts of Braga and seen churches and other beautiful buildings. We are now sitting at a bus stop along the Avenida da Liberdade. We are waiting for bus number 2. It will take us to Bom Jesus do Monte.

14.02 The bus arrived at the final destination and we got out. We bought return tickets for the funicular and are now riding it up to the church. I wonder what will await us there.

The church at Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga.

View from the 116 metres high stairway at Bom Jesus do Monte.

14.07 We are standing at the bottom of the church and have a wonderful view over the stairs up here and over Braga. The whole area is meant to represent the Golgotha walk of Jesus. The air is clear and fresh. Fountains murmur, birds are singing and a pressure washer is humming.

15.07 We walked and looked through the area filled with lots of beautiful things. We returned to the funicular and others followed us. Four more arrived just as we are about to move and the ride came to an abrupt end. We got moving again and left two persons behind. The others had to buy their tickets as we arrived. I saw a bus waiting and showed my ticket. The man nodded and gave me some money. We started to walk to the bus and suddenly the man wanted his money back. He was supposed to give them to someone else. I guess it was someone’s small change. We made it to the bus in time but the others didn’t.

15.43 We got off the bus. It is pretty stupid to remain on it. We’ve walked through new parts of Braga and we’ve seen a person selling fresh strawberries. Perhaps I should have bought some. It is time for dinner. We will be having the tourist course. We just got a bottle of wine and here comes the vegetable soup.

Sé de Braga, the city cathedral.

16.17 We had vegetable soup, chicken with rice and fries. We shared a bottle of wine to the meal. The dessert was really excellent. We had fresh strawberries. Everything was just great and it cost us 10 euro per person. We are feeling great. I’ve even said no to coffee. I want the wine and strawberry flavour to remain in my mouth. Everything is so great.

17.10 We’ve boarded the train that will take us home to Porto. Yes today Porto is the hometown. Tomorrow it will be Lisbon and then we will be going home. The week has been quick but long.

17.48 The journey home is coming up faster. Not so many stops this time. We’ve though managed to get some sleep.

18.58 After an internet stop by the Avenida dos Aliados we´re back at our favourite place here through and through, the wonderful Viseu no Porto. Roberth is having some port. I’ve ordered the tasteful liqueur, which happens to be called Beirão. I highly recommend it.

19.40 We are back in the room for a short while. We will soon head out in the pale light of the evening. We’ve been shopping. I bought for myself a bottle of Beirão to take home.

20.12 We are out in the streets of Porto again. We are sitting along the Avenida dos Aliados. Last evening the area was filled with brits. This evening it is filled with calmness. I am sitting on my sandals barefooted.

20.57 It is the last evening in Porto. Things are about to get packed. All the things we brought with us and the stuffs we bought here. Some things will be left behind, ragged socks, shaved off facial hair and other things that we no longer need.

21.48 I am back from the tub, happy and ready to go to sleep. A lot of things have happened today. Tomorrow we will begin the journey home. That journey starts at 10.15.

Friday 17th of April

08.21 There will not be much rain today. We are sitting and gathering energy to get going. Where have we lost it? We slept well, had regular meals and had it all together mentally pleasant. Could it be that we are lazy and indolent?

09.33 We are after a short coffee stop at Mister Caffe back at the train station São Bento here in Porto. We will be heading south within 45 minutes. We are as mentioned going back to Lisbon. There we will have a short night before we fly to the north.

09.54 We’ve boarded an earlier train to Porto Campanha. The main thing is that we get there. Wait a minute, will this train stop there?

10.09 Yes it stopped there. We are in the waiting hall and waiting for the track information to appear on some of the monitors.

Waiting at Porto Campanha.

11.12 The tickets have been punched. Our ride to the south will go on for three more hours. I will see if I read or take a nap.

12.22 I did both, slept and read. We’ve been in the wagon in front of ours. We had coffee, sandwich with sliced cold cuts and Snickers. The Portuguese landscape flashes by. The other passengers are talking on their mobiles phones, reading or just sitting there.

13.13 It is till overcast. Lisbon keeps getting closer. There awaits our third and last home here in Portugal. Is it already paid for, shall we pay for it or what?

14.27 We’ve checked in with some problems. The lady in the reception only spoke Portuguese. She was determined to check in Christer and wanted to see his passport. We finally made her understand that Christer and his passport were home in Sweden. I hope I managed to order a taxi to the airport. We are at Beira Mar in Largo Terreiro do Trigo 16 - 4º esq and in room 1 (http://www.guesthousebeiramar.com) It is a small room with a bunk bed and an extra bed beside it. It would have been really crowded if we had been three persons here.

15.12 We are trying, testing some port in a cellar vault. We get information as we try the different kinds of port. I am thinking about buying a bottle. But I wonder if I am the right man at the right moment and all? We’ve thought that there are different kinds of port. It depends on which grape it was made from and how long it has been stored. Some kinds are supposed to be stored at home. They shall be opened and served after 25 years from now.

Testing port wine.

16.03 We’ve walked on through Lisbon and finally went indoors. It is time for dinner at Restaurant Piri Piri. We’ve ordered grilled ribs and a bottle of wine. By the door is an elderly gentleman with grey hair and beard. He looks at the people on the other side of the door as he nods or shakes his head. We’ve been served bread and cheese as first course. It might be great with port. Roberth was offered to buy hashish, cocaine and/or marijuana on the way here. He didn’t buy anything

16.56 The ribs were fabulous. Now it is time for dessert. We will be having coffee, Beiroa and tasty Pudim flan, that is caramel custard. We are feeling like gods. We do deserve this.

17.26 It was great, it was expensive, I don’t care about it. Now it is time for more Beirao in a small pub.

18.02 These are pretty good seats, said Roberth and sat down in the leather sofa at Magnolia Café just by a post office. We crave for coffee. A guard asked us if we wanted some stamps as we entered the place.

18.24 We are at Hard Rock Café having a beer. We are simply living the life.

No one remembers who took this photo but finally Peter is on a photo too.

19.08 It is time for a final coffee?! We are in old neighbourhoods, not far from our last home here in Lisbon. We are about to shop in the store we’ve been to before. We will buy some things for the evening and some to bring home.

20.13 We will manage another cup of coffee. We are back at Maritana das Colunas. It is the place where we had dinner on Monday.

20.46 It is against my will but it is time to get some sleep. We can hear songs from outside. It will be an early morning tomorrow. I do hope that the taxi we booked will be here on time.

Saturday 18th of April

04.06 Step, phase, part one is finished. We’ve woken up and packed most of our things. Is something forgotten, something extra packed and where is Roberth’s towel?

04.29 The towel appeared. I do hope the taxi will do the same. We’ve left the room behind us and the key to a new lady at the reception.

05.10 We took the taxi through Lisbon. We stopped at many red lights and the driver didn’t look pleased. Our luggages were checked in and we just had a small breakfast. There are people on the move in these early hours. Here are arrivals as well as departures.

06.38 We are seated on separate side of the aisle. I am looking forward to close my eyes and just fly away.

08.40 OK the watch is set for Dutch time. We had breakfast and are flying towards Amsterdam and Schiphol. All is well and I will see if I will nap or read first.

NETHERLANDS

11.13 We are back at Schiphol. We will be onboard another plane to Stockholm in an hour. I am not that tired. I´ve had plans to buy a bottle of Genever but the bottles were all too big. I’ve to do it the next time I get to the Netherlands, when ever that might be.

Planespotting at Schiphol.

SWEDEN

14.34 We are back at Arlanda airport. We had just finished our dinner at Alfredo’s exactly one week ago. I guess we will be going back there soon.

15.57 It was delicious and filling at Alfredo’s. We are waiting for our transport home and the next journey.