Fatima

We darted off to Fatima and reached there at 3.30pm and were super lucky to get the High Mass - Novena. We attended the entire service (in Portuguese). We watched devotees doing the walk to the shrine on knees to offer vows. There are two shrines - the chapel that was constructed at the Grotto where mother Mary appeared to Lucy, Francis and Jacinta. The other one is a huge cathedral where the mass takes place outdoors to accommodate the huge size of devotees gathering. The mass ended with a procession walk around the fountain whilst the rosary was said. Cooper fell asleep whilst walking in peak heat. After mass, we visited the Cathedral that had the beautiful shrines for each Saint. it was heartening to watch the way devotees offered vows.

Gareth wanted to try the walk by knee

Meditating or a short cat nap?

Filling a bottle with the spring water

Francis

Jacinta

We couldn't make it to the museum as it was very late and we had to head off to our hotel at the beach in Peniche.