Leaving Ponte de Lima

Tuesday stuff.

This was the last day of the Ponte de Lima chess event. Phil decided not to play this last round. Had he won the day before he would have considered getting up to play chess at 9.30 in the morning. However, he did not and so he stayed in bed a little longer. 

I got up and ran one last time along the river and the avenue. I bought us fresh bread for breakfast and then we packed and tidied up ready to leave. The plan was that our Canadian companion Leon would join us for lunch after he finished off the morning”s opponent quickly. 

That didn’t happen.

We went out to lunch, leaving messages as to where we would be. He never materialised. Finally he sent a message that he was packing. Then that he was going to the prize giving as he had won prizes. We had to hand over the keys to the apartment at 2.00pm. Time was getting tight. He messaged us that he had left his keys on the table in the apartment. 

So we went back and met with the landlord who agreed that we could leave our luggage with him until our taxi turned up. No, we couldn’t wait in the apartment as he had to prep it for the next people. 

We went off to look for Canadian. He had just received his prize. We said our farewells and our see-you-next-times and waited for our taxi to go to the bus station. The bus station was confusing. Ticket offices closed until 3.00. Buses lined up with no indication where they were headed. A crowd of chess players of a range of nationalities, all confused by the bus station. But we sorted it out and finally bought our tickets to Braga - with a discount for being over 65! There are some benefits! 

Our new accommodation is a complete contrast - an old fashioned boarding house with dodgy wifi. So goodness knows when this will be posted. 

But we’re in the old which we will explore when it gets cooler. Much too hot on arrival! All part of the adventure. 

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!