The end of an era today as I dropped the hire car off safely, filled with fuel and without any damage. We have both agreed that this trip will the last time I drive in Europe. Phew.

We did however return the car early, which meant we had longer time at Porto Airport ‘to kill’. But we managed. DA’s Friday cryptic helped us pass the time.

Our flight to Madrid was on time and without hitch, until we went to find out luggage.

It was there alright – the very last bags, going around and around, but we had so much trouble finding the correct carousel. We have decided that Madrid Terminal 2 is the worst we have ever been to. The signage is absolute shite.

We return here tomorrow for a flight to Palma and back again 4 days later – so hopefully we will know our way around by then.

It was a huge day.

We checked into our airport hotel around 7.30pm (we’d gained an hour crossing from Portugal to Spain), booked the shuttle for tomorrow morning, showered and refreshed, then had dinner in the restaurant – which opened at 8.30pm.

Long trips like this one always have some shitty ‘travel’ days that must be done. Today was one of them.