Time zone turmoil

We all know that Mark likes to run tightly to time (and he is loving the standard use of the 24 hour clock here in Europe) but this morning was ridiculous.

Yesterday afternoon, after leaving Salamanca, we decided to continue driving all the way to Lisbon as I could not find anything of interest to the boys in any places along the way (architecture, castles and museums or just quaint villages all got a nah! response).

Anyway we got to Lisbon by 17:00, which although late for us, the sun was still high in the sky, it was still 30 degrees and we had plenty of time to get our tents set up and check out the facilities. This huge camp ground even had its own travel agency so we got lots of good advice from the lovely lady that worked there and decided to book ourselves on a tour which left the camp ground at 10:00. Beauty, even time for a sleep in!

Whilst the boys and I lingered in our sleeping bags, Mark decided to wander down to the front of the camp and check the emails. He discovered some free washing machines at the front of the camp and clothes lines at the back. Yes, it would be tight, but we could get our washing done and hung and be on time for our tour - if we ran.

We arrived at the front puffing but with a minute to spare before the bus arrived. The Portugese speaking bus driver said 10 tapping his watch. Yes, we agreed and with a quizzical shrug he allowed us to board the bus.

Fifteen minutes later the lovely lady from the travel agent came out to inquire did we realise it was only 9:15 and that we were very early for our tour!

Suddenly things started to make sense.
No wonder no one else was waiting for the bus.
While we thought we had arrived at the camp ground late there was a continual steam of arrivals after us.
We know that by European standards we eat unfashionably early at about 19:00 but last night I couldn't get over the fact that the restaurant didn't have any food out until close to 21:00.
And even though we had had a sleep in the campground was still very quite when we arose.

We got off the bus and went for a coffee having a good laugh at ourselves. Mark must have looked quite a sight checking emails at 05:00. But I wonder how long it will take the man who asked me for the time on the way to the laundry to realise that he has been running an hour early all day?


Gayle

Location:Lisbon, Portugal