Merging of the Days!

We’ve been here over a month now, which is impossible for us to realize but it is so. This past few days we’ve had a few appointments to take care of, a little running around to do that has taken us in and out of Olhão and today, Armação de Pêra. It makes the days fly by and in some ways, merge one into the other. It’s a good thing we take photos so we can look back and remember what we’ve been up to!!

Monday evening we went into Olhão a bit early, just before dusk, as we were meeting Ana and Simão for drinks and dinner. We decided to explore a little and enjoy a little exploration before meeting up. What a great idea it was.

An enjoyable walk along the promenade. It was virtually empty and we had the entire boardwalk to ourselves.

We both love being near the sea. The scent, the sounds and the peacefulness is soothing.

The doors in this town are exquisite.

I know I’ve photographed this before but it still calls out to me each time I pass it.

Loved the nativity scene on the bar of this restaurant….especially with the Christmas mouse peeking out in the left corner!

A quick haircut at the end of the day. These places are always lively sounding and buzzing with activity.

We met up with Ana and Simão near the harbour, enjoyed a lovely gin and tonic beside the sea then headed further “inland” for dinner. We had a feast but sadly my photos did not capture it well at all so you’ll have to trust me when I tell you it was a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. We enjoy all the moments we spend with Ana and Simão and this was no exception.

Next morning we had to head back to Olhão. We parked the car and walked into the old part of town, down a few roads we had not yet taken. We lucked out in that we stumbled on a jacaranda tree that still contained large clusters of flowers….very unusual this time of the year.

Marc in his new red pants……happy as a clam he is!!!

These large wall decorations are basically a series of dream catchers. Quite lovely and I think, ideal for this time of the year.

Tuesday evening we had Harald and Bela over for dinner and enjoyed a wonderful evening together. The more time we spend together, the more we learn about each other. They are wonderful friends and fabulous neighbours.

This morning Marc had an appointment in Armação de Pêra. He officially joined The Algarve Society of Artists (algarve-art.com) and was meeting up to pay his annual membership, meet a couple of folks and pick up an information package. We decided to head there early, park and enjoy a walk about. We’ve been to this town before but usually for the Santa Swim on Christmas Day.

As well as a long crescent shaped beach there are a series of smaller coves to the west, all carved into the ochre sandstone cliffs that are so typical of the Algarve coast. Like other resorts on the Algarve, there is a mix of the old and the new in Armação de Pêra, although it might be more than a little bit of a challenge to find too many reminders of the village’s past. It’s safe to say this is a “tourist resort” and this time of year, pretty darn empty. Which was great for us!

I love the use of the boat in the Merry Christmas welcome.

The local church was open and we popped in to see the nativity scene…….which was quite elaborate with running water etc.. The way the sun was shining in the door, I couldn’t get a good shot so this is simply a part of it.

I loved the inclusion of all the different ethnic groups.

We walked this entire length up to the other end.

St. Anthony for you know who you are!

Wall art that caught our eye.

António da Encarnação Pereira a famous local poet.

The waves were gently lapping at the shore and the sound was melodious!

This dark bougainvillea caught my eye against the faded blue and white of the house.

Loved the look of this place. Would love to see the inside.

My happy cardinal resting his weary bones. He is walking with me quite a bit these days which is a real treat for me.

The Papa was digging a big hole for his little girl and all you could hear echoing up the beach was the sound of her happy giggles.

Another beach and shore shot.

We had come from the far end of this sandy crescent beach.

This hedge was covered in these gorgeous delicate looking flowers. Scentless but beautiful.

Old and tired but still captivating.

Marc sat to enjoy a bica and I went for a walk as far as I could up to the end of the beach.

Small caves dot the cliffs as well as the “danger signs” for falling rocks.

Mother Nature’s key hole.

The rocks were not at all slippery. This green was rough and dry.

Lovely hues of green.

A large hedge of this, similar to a bottle brush in colour and texture, but completely different when looking at it. More like clusters of spiny flowers.

Finished his bica and ready to go to his meeting.

By now it was just after 13h00 and we were hungry. As I mentioned earlier, it was a bit of a ghost town but,, somethings were open and we had seen a sign for a pizza place and headed off to hunt it down. We were not disappointed at all.

Marc had chicken, spinach and shaved Parmesan.

I had prosciutto and porcini mushrooms.

Satisfied with our physical activity, Marc’s business venture and our great lunch, we hopped in the car and took the slow route home, enjoying many sights along the way. One of the things we stumbled on was a fully blooming silk floss tree……we had never seen one if full bloom before. Each bloom is about the size of a large opened palm.

Once home we headed down to the square to have a bica and a visit with Ana and Simão. As it turned out, Susie and Gus were sitting on the patio and we enjoyed a visit and catch up with them as well. It’s wonderful to have this social circle.

The church at the top of the square has installed a new nativity scene.

Nativity scene

And finally, as we walked from the square to home…….what to our wondering eyes should appear…………

16 thoughts on “Merging of the Days!”

Pat December 12, 2018 — 6:45 pm

Lovely,lovely,lovely!!! A day in the full life of Randy and Marc. What a dream!

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  canadianboystravel December 12, 2018 — 7:40 pm
  
  You’ll enjoy a beach day here this time of year as it’s almost empty. About 45 minutes from Estoi but you can make a full day of it.
  
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Gwen McCauley December 12, 2018 — 6:57 pm

Armacao de Pera was one of the towns I stayed in way back in 1975 on my first trip. I stayed a couple of nights in what now is the Holiday Inn but was the venerable Garbe Hotel until the big crash a few years back. I was sick and the very dark, dingy pensao I had been booked into just wasn’t cutting it for me. hehe. Gosh. The town has grown so much. The Garbe was just a 2-story structure at the time and there was only 1 ‘high rise’ . . .a 6-story condo building! Despite how touristy it has become, Armacao de Pera still maintains a high degree of community involvement. I love their very family oriented Carnaval parade, the Christmas morning Santa Swim, their photo taking days, etc. Thanks for the memories, boys. 🙂

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  canadianboystravel December 12, 2018 — 7:42 pm
  
  Well honey, you introduced me to this place way back when ,so thanks to you! It still has a lovely feel when it’s as empty of tourists as it is right now. We had a wonderful day.
  
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Joyce December 12, 2018 — 8:18 pm

Maravlihoso, obrigado!

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  canadianboystravel December 12, 2018 — 9:28 pm
  
  Aren’t you the cute one! Small correction, as a female you sat obrigada.
  
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Diane December 12, 2018 — 8:20 pm

What a day! What a life! I have never been there. I just can’t wait to explore these new places, especially when they are empty of tourists. Enjoy my dear friends!!!

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  canadianboystravel December 12, 2018 — 9:27 pm
  
  We can’t wait to be your personal tour guides!
  
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  1. Diane Elkas December 12, 2018 — 10:32 pm
    
    Thank you!😘😘
    
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Bonnie St Julien December 12, 2018 — 10:22 pm

Nice blog – thsmk you for posting. The beach looks like it was calling out to be explored. It’s now on our list.

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  canadianboystravel December 13, 2018 — 8:42 am
  
  I have been there when you can hardly see sand for people ! Going off season like this is wonderful. You should do this soon after your arrival.
  
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Patricia December 13, 2018 — 2:00 am

Wonderful blog…I read it twice! Loved the nativity scenes, unique flowers and amazing wall art! And of course, the beach photos beckoned to me…what a great pic of Mother Nature’s keyhole!
I am so happy you love revisiting places because Armacao de Pera is a definite choice for me. Maybe on a good day for a picnic. Nice to see my fav patron saint honoured…what would I do without him?
Yup, a most enjoyable read! Thank you! Counting the days….

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  canadianboystravel December 13, 2018 — 8:43 am
  
  I think I read somewhere that the beach there is closed from the day of your arrival till just after you leave! Sad huh? LOL
  
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Joëlle December 13, 2018 — 1:51 pm

Hello Randy and bonjour Marc,

Joëlle Sanderson here (Darren Matthews “mother in law”). Pat just reminded me of your blog and I am so glad for it. There is so much happiness and awe in your prose, and your pictures could be in the National Geographic.
Thanks for opening your window on your little slice of paradise.

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  canadianboystravel December 13, 2018 — 2:42 pm
  
  Hello/Bonjour Joëlle. So happy to hear from you and know that you are checking out our blog. I love to do it as it helps keep my family and friends in the know, especially my Mom…..she loves it. As you can see, we are enjoying the good life. We are invited to a traditional Portuguese Christmas Eve and very much looking forward to that experience. Our relationships here grow richer with each year. Hope you are well. Hugs to you and our best to Malcolm.
  
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Joëlle December 14, 2018 — 3:16 am

Thanks Randy and Marc. Lovely to be back in touch. We have such wonderful memories of our stay in Portugal last Spring and of your visit. We won’t be back this year, but another time may be.
Portugal looks so beautiful even (especially?) during the off season…

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