Moving on

Cherryfudge

I thought I'd better drop in with a few lines to assure folks that we arrived safely on Saturday. The weather has been 18-20C and, until this evening, sunny. Beautiful place, friendly and relaxed. The taxi driver who brought us from Faro turned out to be a star - very knowledgeable and went out of his way to drive us round the main streets and explain about the town, including doing a loop through the historic fishing village where he lives. He also answered some questions I had about the language - thank you, Sergei.

DH and I spent Saturday and Sunday catching up on rest, but aren't so tired today. Both weekend days we walked to the local L1dl, which has cost around E50 so far - we've had drinks out in the afternoons (E20) and lunch out today (E31). Sorry no proper Euros sign on this laptop!

The beach and sea are beautiful - I will try to add a photo at some point.

Right, nearly time for bed.

Sun_Addict

It sounds lovely. Have a wonderful time!

Dakota_Rose

That sounds wonderful. Will look forward to the photo!

Watty1

It sounds wonderful. i love Portugal and hope you enjoy the remains of your break.

Cherryfudge

Today's adventure was taking a boat trip to look at sea caves. Interesting and enjoyable - and I was glad I'd brought a shower-proof mac with me as there was a lot of spray. Then as we were in the very last cave, with a tiny beach visible at low tide and the sea much lower than outside (I hadn't realised this can happen) the swell decided to come over the edge of the boat and we got wet! Shoes, socks, bags and DH's cap - all the things we'd put on the floor - were wringing wet. I tipped water out of my bag and found later that most of the contents, passport included, hadn't succumbed.

Instead of going out for lunch, we headed back to the hotel, where we were pleased to find the receptionist had got us a bath plug (hotel maintenance is lacking, though it's pleasant, clean and up to date), so we could have hot baths. I've also hand washed a lot of clothes after the soaking.

We were only out a couple of hours but I still dozed off in the bath and have been tired most of the time since. We think we are catching up on rest.

Later we went to a huge shopping centre for ingredients for dinner. It wasn't particularly cheap, but cheaper than eating out. However, DH says he's never cooking on this cooker again! It's one of those that you have to program, and keeps switching itself off, though not as often as the hotel internet. So, we had salmon for dinner and have just been having a lazy evening. I've topped up my travel card but may well have to do so again. On the plus side, we will have some bits and pieces of foods to take home, including olive oil, herbs, crackers and jam, so there's a small contribution to the ongoing household economy.

Boat trip E60.

Housekeeping E29.90

Cherryfudge

DH has gone out for a walk, giving me time to get up slowly. We were woken by my phone this morning at 7, which is odd as it's on a 'do not disturb' apart from close family, till 8. The only thing we could find was a weather alert for the shore, as 4.5m waves are expected this morning. I don't know if the phone picked this up as a warning but it's possible, as it said to take action in the next hour. Obviously, we won't try to go to see the waves, as they are trying to keep people away, and we are about 1km inland and on the 2nd floor so that height of waves isn't going to reach us.

I have a couple of books and some knitting, but I'm bored! Not much energy for going to do anything, and missing the little domestic jobs that (sadly) give me 'meaning' in ordinary life. However, I could reasonably catch up on some preparation for the kids on Sunday morning, and various other bits and pieces - not to mention doing this morning's dishes.

Cherryfudge

One of the forts guarding the coast, now a private dwelling. The coast is now watched over by a NATO tower nearby.

Watty1

That would be an amazing dwelling! (Although I would lose my keys regularly in something that size)

Cherryfudge

I could lose my keys in something much smaller! 😁

We had lunch then walked back the way we explored the other day. First stop was an optician as DH's glasses broke, but no success as the optician explained (in perfect English) that the screw has sheered off and can't be replaced. Looks like a new pair needed when we get home, so it's as well DH is generally okay without them, including for driving.

We had a further look round and found a little art gallery attached to a centre for older people, so we spent time in there: very varied and interesting. Then I bought some tea towels from a shop that does all sorts of household linens with a Portuguese tourist theme. One for me and one for DD's Christmas stocking as it has a picture she'll like. Following that, we went back to the place where we had coffee and sorbet the other day, and sat with our sorbets watching the fountains. I'd just wondered aloud whether the couple we were talking to on the boat trip had dried out yet when someone greeted us, and it was them! Considering they are staying in another town, that was quite a coincidence. Lisa and David, it was nice to meet you again!

We wound up our afternoon with a visit to the town's museum which was interesting. Not a huge place, but well presented and caught the imagination. Coming out at about five, we thought it was dusk, but it turned out to be storm clouds. We'd only gone a short way when the rain started and we had to take shelter in a building entrance with two young women and an older man who chatted away to us in Portuguese. We nodded and smiled - there was thunder and lightening going on and he said 'Boom!'

The storm only lasted perhaps 10 or 15 minutes but the street turned into a torrent. I was amused to see an orange being washed downhill! Later on, walking uphill, I saw more oranges washed off the trees and we brought a couple home. Last port of call was L1dl for sausages and salad, but the sausages turned out to be a poor choice. I could only eat a mouthful of mine and, while DH ate his, he said he doesn't want any more. We are deciding whether to throw them out of leave them in the fridge when we go and hope someone benefits (they will still be in date).

Another quiet evening but DH has had to start on medication again. He's been six months without, which is the longest we can remember, but symptoms are back and not easing. The medication should see him through till he can talk to the specialists next week, which is due to happen soon anyway.

Spending

Data £12 (so no more photos till I'm not dependent on the dodgy wifi we have here!)

Sorbets E10 I think

Housekeeping 9.14

Museums E11

Cherryfudge

We changed our plans to stay close to base today, to give DH's medication time to work. I'm pleased to say it's going well and he feels a lot better. He's spent time poolside and swimming, while I had a lazy morning, mostly on the computer as I'm not a sun lounger person.

The weather has been lovely: 19 or 20 degrees and sunny. That's about 4 degrees up on the seasonal norm so we really have done very well! I even wore a dress, which rarely happens except at high summer at home.

We decided on a meal out and found a seaside place where we were tempted to fish and chips but decided to try local fish dishes instead. That turned out to be a very good choice, as did the desserts, though I've not wanted a proper tea - just crisps and biscuits - as I was so full. I think I still am. We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering up and down the sea front and beach, just enjoying the warmth.

Meal out E62, no supermarket trip needed, DH bought a can for E1.50.

Book ordered off V1nted (the kind seller had reserved it for me) £3.29.