After a late night on the Sunday I was surprised to find my self up and about by 7.15am
In the TFP Seat, just next door to the Hotel, the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady had been placed in the little oratory for the Supporters to spend time there in front of the Statue.
This is the Statue that wept tears in New Orleans not long before the disastrous Hurricane Katrina.
I spent a silent 45 minutes in prayer before the image. I was not aware of time passing.
Then it was back to the hotel for breakfast, then to the room to pack, and a final wee walk around the neighbourhood. It was a sunny hot day.
Then it was time to take our farewells from friends old and new. By late afternoon almost all the foreigners would be gone. We were the first to leave.
A taxi took us on the 45 minute drive to the airport at Guarulhos, to catch the 4.45 pm flight to London.
There was time for last minute shopping and a relaxing coffee and bun.
After the usual preflight check-in and security scan we were pleasantly bid farewell by Immigration.
This is the only country where I have been politely and smilingly addressed by by name by Immigration officials.
Boarding was fast and smooth, and right on time our BA 747 climbed into the blue clear sky for the 12 hour overnight flight to London, where we landed just after 7am on Tuesday morning.
Immigration clearance was very slow, as was the checking of our hand luggage. There was a final delay of about 45 minutes while they found an aircraft or the flight to Glasgow.
By 12.45pm I was back in Clydebank. The adventure was over.
It was an exhausting, event packed few days, with lots to think about and to remember.
I wonder if I will ever return to Brazil?
