Wednesday was a rest day. Some took advantage of the hotel’s good facilities - the swimming pool, the bowling alley, the nearby beach. Many also strolled to the nearby village of Fão, visiting the attractive parish church, typically adorned with flowers, ‘azulejos’ wall tiles and baroque decoration. One, thinking of a career change, jumped onto the driving seat of an open air 1931 fire engine at the local emergency station while the attendants were not looking and almost got stuck. One venturing to Barcelos, told that she needed the same bus stop for the trip back, was rather bewildered that the return bus took a different route.

Before our evening flight back on Saturday nearly all accepted the late additional trip to Braga – ‘the city of churches’ (35) - not to ‘collect’ any more religious visits but to savour more of this enchanting country. First we stopped at the Sanctuary of San Sameiro with its fine view and modern church crypt with its Casares picture controversial for including a contemporary archbishop. Upstairs before leaving we sang the Salve Regina.