March Madness

Our friend Patricia Matthews has arrived in the sunny Algarve. We are delighted as is she. She has officially kissed winter weather goodbye and is thrilled to be getting her vitamin D directly from the source again!

Diane, Pat, Marc and Konrad

Diane, Pat and Konrad

Wednesday marked the kickoff of the second annual Secret Marathon — a three-kilometre race held during the week of International Women’s Day.

The run gets its name from a documentary about the first marathon held in Afghanistan, the route of which was kept secret to avoid being a target for terrorist groups. A group of us had signed up to walk together here in Portugal and once we gave Pat some time to settle in, we headed off to the salt flats near to Fuzeta to walk the three kilometers.

Patricia, Gary, Diane, Warren, Andrea, Marc and myself.

The salt flats were a perfect place to do this. We walked 3.2 kms and donated to a good cause.

Many flamingos watching us with caution.

Cute huh?

Salt anyone?

Fuzeta and the salt pile in the background.

We headed back to Fuzeta, located Pat, who was relaxing in the sun, big smile on her face and enjoying a coffee at a seaside bar. We all ordered something and sat around gabbing and laughing, a very taxing activity here in the Algarve!!!

Today our plan was to head to Cacela Velha for the Mercandinho da Primavera (Spring Market). Scheduled for 10h30 – 17h30. Marc was experiencing another bad bout of vertigo, therefore, opted to stay home and rest up. Off we three headed, going to meet the others there.

Cacela Velha is always a lovely spot. Sadly, the market, not so much!!! It wasn’t on!!! Nobody and nothing to indicate anything was happening. I checked the guide book as soon as I arrived home and happily, it wasn’t me. For whatever reason, it simply didn’t go ahead. Didn’t stop us from enjoying a lovely walk about and an impromptu afternoon in Vila Real de Santo Antonio!

The sun on the water and the extremely low tide made for a beautiful vista all around the coastline

As you can see, it was a beautiful day.

Very low tide means no boat activity.

I’m not certain there is a straight line in Portugal!!!

I’d love a yellow framed green door!

This fruit tree was just staring to break out in flower. Soft sweet scent.

This garden caught my eye and what a mixture of “stuff” it was.

A personal art display????

This plant had a cluster of fruit growing up around the leaves. Not certain what it was.

We headed on to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, parked the car at the ferry terminal and walked into the core of the old city to find a patio, relax over lunch and then a couple of hours of wandering in and out of some of the stores. It was a fun way to pass a few hours.

The lobby of the recently renovated Grand Hotel.

Lovely old structure and wonderful to see it refurbished and open for business again.

There is always a door or two that speaks to me.

You might assume from the bag in Diane’s hand that perhaps “somebody” did some shopping? You’d be correct.

They offered to pose in front of the door but, I told them it would spoil the shot!!!

A wonderful easy first day for Pat here in the Algarve. I knew she was tired when she walked away from all those stores….empty handed!!!!! And so, we are home, lovely fire in the woodstove for ambience, great music, I’m just putting a tray of piri piri chicken in the oven and all is good in our world.

The jasmine is home to a myriad of creatures. This happy little bug was basking in the morning sunshine.

10 thoughts on “March Madness”

ken613 March 7, 2019 — 6:21 pm

Luvverrrrley

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Julie Buchowski March 7, 2019 — 9:02 pm

wow DO give my regards to all but a special big hug for Pat, my dearest cousin. So glad she is there for you to enjoy and spoil! Your news is like a shot of sunshine daily…i shall drink deeply and often.

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1. (Post author)
  
  canadianboystravel March 7, 2019 — 11:01 pm
  
  Will most certainly pass along a hug to Patricia. Thanks for your comments.
  
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Joëlle March 8, 2019 — 2:37 am

Lovely to finally catch up with your blog (very busy here) and to see Pat in the pictures. Wishing you all a wonderful time together.
It might be very cold here but the sunshine is divine. No flowers though…

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1. (Post author)
  
  canadianboystravel March 8, 2019 — 9:44 am
  
  Merci Joëlle, She is very happy to be here, hasn’t stopped smiling since stepping off the plane! I’m guessing flowers will soon be showing up in Canada, at least let’s hope so. Keep well and thanks for following along.
  
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Patricia March 8, 2019 — 5:56 am

Thank you, Randy and Marc, for such a warm welcome, and a delightful first couple of days! I already feel ‘at home’ …love you, P

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1. (Post author)
  
  canadianboystravel March 8, 2019 — 9:47 am
  
  Wait till we hand you the mop and bucket…..then you’ll feel at home.
  
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Joëlle March 8, 2019 — 1:40 pm

This is International Women’s day. No housework allowed.

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1. (Post author)
  
  canadianboystravel March 8, 2019 — 2:00 pm
  
  LOL…..there is, of course, tomorrow!
  
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  1. Joëlle March 8, 2019 — 2:18 pm
    
    Tomorrow is Saturday. No work on week-ends. I am looking after Pat you see!
    
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