My Pal Ronaldo

So I got my photo taken with Ronaldo whilst on holiday. A red cow got in on the act too.

I suppose it's the nearest I'll get to the real Ronaldo and it wasn't too difficult as his image was all over the place, Portugal being football crazy and me a bit of a fan....yes of the football as well as Ronaldo because of his foodball skills (and I wouldn't mind giving his bum a quick squeeze:)).

P took this photo in Vila Real on the Portuguese Spanish border, we had intended to drive across the suspension bridge but then thought why not take the passenger ferry. Then when we got to the ticket office the lady asked us if we had our passports, she'd just asked the same of two Americans in front of us. We explained we were EU citizens and she shrugged her shoulders as if to say 'so what.'

P spoke Spanish, the languages are similar and understood especially on the border where there is a crossover of workers. She told him that sometimes it might be ok, sometimes they might accept a driving licence but other times they might refuse entrance and we'd have to stay on the ferry and come straight back. We had neither passports nor driving licences with us so we didn't go.  

As it happened Ronaldo's magic couldn't swing the football for Portugal and they went out. You could have heard a pin drop in the town that night when it was all over. I was so disappointed for them and the staff, who work so hard to help make tourists happy in their country, biting back the disappointment and professionally putting brave face on and getting back to looking after their guests. P even left a bigger than average tip, he must be getting soft. Then on Tuesday night when England triumphed over Columbia the staff cheered as much as us English, it was nice to be part of.

Now back home and it's even hotter than Portugal was. I'll miss that atmosphere when I watch England/Sweden on Saturday.

Thanks for all your comments - will be a day or two before I reply.

Have a fun weekend.

Ronnie.

xx

PS. my cane wrapped in an England flag went through security unhindered, brought it back too. It got used a couple of times the most notable during a thunderstorm one morning but I'll tell you about that later.