Drowned Rats to Benavente

On our penultimate day we are aware of a less than satisfactory weather expectation. Our digs were tops last night even though it was a one horse town and we were the only 'couple' in the Hotel. The Captian and I have had many romantic meals over the last week and this was no different. Take the trouble to look at Google translation of our menu attached - spoilt for choice? I am understanding now why we don't see many Portuguese  in the UK - don't think that could afford it. A bottle of top beer works out at 60p in a bar and it seems to us that everything is for next to nought. Today our starting fortunes change - at the lowest altitude since Plymouth / Santander there is only one direction and we climb for 1400 ft over about 4 / 5 miles but at this stage in ride it's not a chore any more. We stop at 42 miles just after the rain starts hoping for a weather window but no such luck. It then rains and rains - and rains. on route we see some Pilgrims banding a cross and I ask the Captain if he'd ever thought of doing one with Lorraine - I suggest that he could go in front waving the cross and Lorraine could tow the kids behind in a little trotting buggy. I am pleased with my suggestion and The Captain is also amused at the concept. Total drivel but it keeps the British Spirit high. Initially we had planned a 90 mile tomorrow to meet our loved ones (do you like that girls?) but we have been nibbling away at the numbers all week to cut this down. I wish I could report great views etc etc but I can't because it was a day when really you just get stuck in and rise above the weather and think about the great Btitish Spirit and all that nonsense. It's a strange phenomina but we were getting a buzz out of being wet. We knew that every mile we cracked was one less for tomorrow. As always the penultimate day is a strange one as you are looking forward to destination end and job done but there is a sence of disappointment that something you have trained for ,planned is coming to an end. We stop after 72 miles at around 2pm and eat our first bite - that's not good I know? There we understandably make the Bar Owner fed up as we drip road kill contaminated water over everyone and everything. Maps out we plan our stop but nothing is working it's all to close apart from one at another 30 miles. We have 20 in our head and although only another 10 miles it feels signicant as its raining harder and the wind has picked up. We  discuss and go for it making our end today at 103 miles. At 99.5 miles the Captain has a puncture - we work together in terrential rain to fix - The Captain offers me plastic gloves (!the sort the doctor wears when he's doing a prostrate check up) he's very organised on that front. I suggest though that bearing in mind the number of mechanical failures he endures he needs to be orginised. We are now 31 miles from Lisboa and have treated ourselves to nice stay tonight - very nice but the price of a grotty Travel Lodge. Have no pics today apart from destination end and stops - to wet to get the camera out. Touch base tommorrow from Lisboa with the Wenches xx