A Bit of This and a Bit of That!

Our primary objective the last few days has been to avoid getting soaked in one of the many downpours we have had.  Two storm fronts have been hovering around us and wreaking havoc.   Here is a shot of our pool just to give you and indications of water level!!

Right up to the edge, no space to go any further except the patio.  Fortunately today, Saturday, we woke to sunny skies and it stayed with us most of the day.  According to the forecast it will be short-lived but hey, we don’t have to shovel it and temperatures are quite comfortable.

So what have we been doing……..lunches out seem to be a consistent thing……..after all, we have to eat!!

Lovely flowering cactus I saw on one of my walks.

According to our resident expert on desserts, this was amazing chocolate cake!!

I won’t pass up a baked apple when available.

Marc and Bela enjoying the conversation of artists!!

Local handicrafts.

We enjoyed a lovely time with Bela, Harald, Benoit, Diane and the four of us at Sabores do Campo in São Brás de Alportel.   Harald and Bela had recommended it and for us, it’s always wonderful to be introduced to a new place.  I completely forgot to take photos of the main plates…….breaded turkey cutlets.  Such pleasure in hanging out with wonderful people and sharing in conversations, stories and getting to know one other more intimately.

Our wonderful friend Ana…….Marc had picked the jasmine on our patio just as we were leaving.

Arroz de pato……..duck rice, one of our very favourites.

Pat enjoyed this tuna salad……had to bring half of it home as she was too full.

Ginja, is a portuguese liqueur made by infusing ginja berries, (sour cherry) in alcohol (aguardente is used) and adding sugar together with other ingredients. As it was International Women’s Day, I ordered one for Patricia and Diane to end the meal and to celebrate them.

The ever devilish Elsa and Patricia. Such fun times and memories.

Estoi is only 6 kms from us and visiting with Ana,  Simão and Elsa at Snack Bar Com Tradições feels just like eating at home and we go when we can.  How wonderful for us to get to enjoy “home cooked” traditional Portuguese meals and socialize with friends at the same time.

Today, Saturday, Simão was preparing Bochechas de porco….pork cheeks.   I have had them a few times over the last few years at various restaurants but never as tender and delicious as his…………he has kindly offered to have Marc come to the restaurant and learn how to prepare them!!!  I hope he spills all his secrets.

We enjoyed the sunshine, patio, camaraderie with Gwen, Pat, Gary, the folks at the restaurant then Susie and Gus, two friends we’ve met who live here but are from Scotland.  Again, I keep saying it, what a life we have here in this wonderful place.

A selfie before leaving the house………yes we know, the hair is getting long!!!

Miss Gwen arriving and bringing her usual vim and vigor to us.

Myself, Gwen, Gary and Pat……all full and enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

Mon mari enjoyng his outing.

This is a partial view of the jasmine plant on our patio.

A new banana flower and fruit just starting to grow. These are about three inches long.

Heading home I thought it would be nice to continue on to Fuzeta and enjoy a walk along the beach.  Marc opted to head to the house but Pat, Gary and I continued.  We found the beach quite lively with wind paragliders and what delight and pleasure in watching them for a while.

Getting ready for take off!

The winds were perfect for this activity today and the beach sheltered enough that they didn’t have to worry about rogue waves.

You ought to have seen the speed that this guy was moving. WOWSERS

These three were giggling and laughing quite a bit as they crossed the harbour in this little boat. They didn’t seem at all perturbed by the water lapping at the edges!!

This man was diligently cleaning out his octopus pots. It’s a tough life these fishermen lead.

We decided to stop and see if the NS/NL crew was at home.  They leave on Monday for England then Canada.  They’ve had miserable weather this past two weeks but have made the best of it.  We found them at home………

Back when there were no cameras for fishermen to record their trophy catches, the Japanese came up with a unique printing method called Gyotaku. Gyo means fish, and Taku means impression, and the technique involved just that – using freshly caught fish to make inky impressions on paper.  Jan had connected with a woman here in Portugal who works in this method and he had taken some lessons……here are two samples of his amazing work…..I am so impressed and what a wonderful souvenir for him to return to Newfoundland with…….

This evening the four of us will join with Harald and Bela in attending a concert in Faro.  Cantadores da Aldeia Nova de S. Bento., a group of male singers, performing traditional folk music from the Alentejo Region.  Can’t wait to hear them.