Where are you MEL!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!! The infamous BMW rear drive bearing failure struck us. Here we were cruising down through Portugal to Fatima. Lynn and I felt this vibration-like a flat. First, I thought, or wished, it was the road. I pulled over at a gas station and checked the tires. All OK. We were 6 miles from the hotel. So, I proceeded slowly, but still felt the vibration. Then it struck me. Check the rear tire play. Stopped at the hotel. Checked the wheel-to much play. Then, the oil started spilling out. The hotel staff at Domus Pacis was exceptional. Also, I had purchased a roadside assistance package in Germany. They jumped right in. Luckily, we were only 10 miles from a BMW motorcycle dealership. They even had parts. One day later a new rear drive. Alexander, Toad's mechanic, shined her right up.

Fatima was something else. All of the sites were free. On May 13, 1917, three children were tending their flock of sheep. The 3 children were Lucia and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta. They encountered an apparition of a lady “more brilliant than the sun”.

It was here a Baslica was built.

Over several months the children had several more encounters with angels and with the Virgin Mary. So, we took the pathway to the the areas of the apparitions and Lucia's home.

Two of the children, Francisco and Jacinta, died before the age of 11. When Jacinta’s body was exhumed, 15 years later (1935), she was not corrupted. Photos of the child showed her face. Lucia became a nun and did not die until 2005. All three are buried in the Basilica.

We are on the road again. Next stop is Rota, Spain.