A Couple of Days with Friends

When they learned we were walking the Camino, old Canadian/British sailing friends we’d met in South America who now live in Portugal, contacted us about getting together when we arrived in Portugal. The Whitby’s offered to pick us up at the Lisbon Airport, transport us to their home in Figueiro dos Vinhos, two hours away, feed us, entertain us, and let us de-jetlag at our leisure. A very generous offer which we were only too happy to accept. Despite the long delay at the airport, Catherine and Michael were waiting for us with open arms, accompanied by their dog, Ellie, a 17-year-old Chilean fox. Gear all loaded into the car and on our way, Michael threaded his way through airport and late afternoon Lisbon traffic while we relaxed in the back seat.We chatted all the way to their home, but I’ll be darned if I remember much of the conversation. We were exhausted from the journey. Catherine had dinner nearly ready when we arrived… a delicious soup with shrimp and homemade bread and a…