London to Porto …..our first full day in Porto

…..and then checkout and do some catch up on e-mails/ blog etc. >>>> you can stay at the Hub for a few hours ….nobody hassles you and you can even enjoy some free coffee/tea..

As we are travelling to Gatwick in the early afternoon there are relatively few people on the Tube and in the stations so very straightforward. At Gatwick check-in with British Air > paid 30 STG (online as cheaper than at the airport) for one checked bag, then to our surprise we were told this entitled us to another bag travelling free….never did see this on the net …security etc. no problems and then lunch and wait……smooth flight. In Porto formalities go quickly, then the LRT and a straight run to the Bolhao station > 5 Euro for us both …..followed by a 7 minute walk to our Air BNB > door code works, 3 floors up, key under doormat ….WHEW ….it is 21:30 and it has been a good trip, but another long day….

Next morn dawns foggy which soon lifts and we head down to see the Bolhao Mercado (Market) having a coffee and a pastel de nata (egg custard = yummy) before touring the market and purchasing a few items…… we are staying in Porto for a week so will be doing some eating in. An ok market featuring a bit of everything, food, flowers handicrafts and of course wine and port.

After stowing our supplies at the apartment we head out for a short walkabout and then have lunch at a cervejaria > only a few items on the menu and everyone seems to be eating prego em pao (easiest translation = mini burgers) and fries >>> we join in >>> quite delicious especially with a local beer Super Bock, inexpensive tasty meal….

Then off to a small supermarket for a few more supplies and then DISASTER !!!!! Annie tries to pay but her wallet is gone…..we race back to the apartment >>> no wallet, some lowlife effer has pickpocketed her. Without a phone that can work locally, we e-mail several banks and ask our AIRBNB host to borrow her phone ….she arrives very quickly and we do all that is necessary to limit any damage ….it seems that the loss is limited to one of the credit cards, cash and of course all the IDs etc. Some lessons to be learned but we will save that for a future post mortem…….the rest of the day was a write-of…over and out for today.