We Are Like a Virus…..We Are Growing

Yesterday was the annual “sweets” festival at Alcoutim.  It happens every year on Good Friday and although we found yesterdays festival smaller than usual, both in terms of vendors and shoppers, it was still great fun.

Our numbers seem to continue to grow!!!  We have new friends from Quebec who are staying at the quinta (where we moved today) and they drove along with us.  Quite the convey.  Marc, Laurie, Gwen and myself in the first car.  Bonnie and Ken in a matching Fiat right behind us then Jean, Louise, Joanne and Dennis!

Laurie, Ken, Bonnie, Jean, Marc, Gwen, Dennis, Louise and Joanne

The same crew as last but with me instead of Marc…..we are equal opportunity photographers!

We had taken the mountain roads instead of a highway.  Breathtaking vistas, wind turbines purring, cork trees in various stages of undress and not many more vehicles in sight.  Our stop in Cachopo for coffee and a leg stretch was appreciated by all.

Mighty giants purring in the mountains.

A patch of orange poppies dancing in the breeze

Closer shot of the poppies

Loved this small pot on the patio wall of a cafe,

We stopped in Cachopo for a bic. The locals enjoying a coffee and a gab.

Beautiful flowering succulent on the patio

Now isn’t this a great use of artificial grass!!!!

Our usual Good Friday routine is to drive slowly through the mountains and after our coffee stop continue to Martim Longo and enjoy lunch on the patio at Restaurante Monte Branco.  There are several stork nests around the patio and they are free entertainment. Sadly, the wind was pretty strong today so we ate inside………total pleasure.  We all enjoyed the food, the camaraderie and the restaurant.

Black pork cutlets

Pork and clams.

Bacalhau a bras

After lunch it was directly to Alcoutim and the festival.  Alcoutim is directly on the Guadiana River, which is the natural border between Portugal and Spain.  Directly across the river (Spain) is Sanlucar de Guadiana.  You have the sense that you can reach out and touch it.

Walking to the festival grounds in Alcoutim. The Canadians have arrived!

Laurie with Sanlucar de Guadiana, Spain in the background.

Just look at that scarf tossing!!!!

Some of the many things for sale by the slice.

Sweet Potato Pie.

The famous fig/almond/carob and honey torte.

Louise and Jean picking out a “few” things to take home

Look at those happy shoppers.

Having a friendly race on the Guadiana.

Sanlucar de Guadiana, Spain

Petit moi!!!!

Old wind-mills in Sanlucar de Guadiana

A fun time shopping and checking out the many desserts, breads, crafts, liquors and of course, people.  Our Quebec friends headed off for home a little before us then Ken, Bonnie and the three of us headed home along the tranquil route of the Guadiana River.

A veiw of the river from our mountain top perspective.

Bonnie, Ken, Laurie and Marc……Gwen was in the bushes having a pee!!!!!

These gorgeous cistus are blooming throughout the mountains. Challenging to get a good photo as the wind was blowing.

See….Gwen was with us!!!

And so our annual tradition has continued………which includes THE plate for the evening meal…….

Hot chorizo filled bread and pork buns along with a tomato salad……you h ave to have something besides bread right?

And here they are…..the purchases of Laurie and Marc…….taste testing ensured…..with a few bites required for some pieces. Coincidentally they both agreed on the rating from 1 – 6!

This morning Marc, Laurie and I moved from our house in the country to the village of Estoi, the same apartment Marc and I had last year.  It felt like “coming home” and we are totally settled already.   Unpacked, lunch with Jean and Gwen at Ana and Simão’s where eventually Louise, Joanne and Dennis joined us then a quick trip to the grocery store and now it’s time for a glass of vino and a toast to this next phase of our marvelous winter in Portugal.