Tromping Tavira

Sunday in the beautiful town of Tavira was as close to perfect as a day can get.  Most of the shops were closed, which meant you didn’t have hoards of glossy-eyed shoppers about but instead, people more intent on wandering aimlessly enjoying the many sights and lazing about on terraces sipping vino verde and people watching.

Pat M was enjoying a quiet day at home which meant it was just the four of us heading off but not before I enjoyed a marvelous walk in the mountain with Pat and Gary.  It was almost to hot for that kind of walk but we enjoyed it nonetheless, especially all the bird activity and the flora.

This was my view as I did my stretching exercises on the terrace in the morning. A great motivator.

I noticed this for the first time in the neighbours garden. The hibiscus hadn’t yet opened as that corner of the yard was being kissed by the sun just yet!

Our roses are bursting and I particularly liked this perfect looking bud

Our hibiscus was fully awake and enjoying the sunshine.

I love the detail of the stamina

The nespera (loquats) are ripe and are readily available in all markets right now.

The inside of the nespera. Sweet and makes a lovely compote.

Our aloe vera has multiplied in blooms.

And this little flower is that of the ficus!

With this being Palm Sunday, there were celebrations throughout all the small towns, and Tavira was no exception.  When we arrived we saw many folks walking through town carrying olive branches, covered in tiny olive flowers and the Roman Bridge was lined with palm fronds and the entire walking surface totally hidden beneath layers of fresh lavender.  Imagine the scent as we walked across it.

The mixture of white and pink bougainvillea was gorgeous.

These, nameless at the moment, were very delicate and quite lovely.

Many of the beds at the castle gardens were looking a little tired but still, much colour to be seen.

Looking up into a datura flower.

Chloe and Henry climbed the castle wall to get a better perspective.

One of the things I like to do is take people to the Pousada in Tavira and take a photo in the open doorway……for me it’s a perfect frame and the rich colour add to the texture of the photo.

We enjoyed a lengthy walkabout, tromping here and there and continually losing Chloe and Henry as they would stop to check things out.  A perfect pace.

The redbud is towering above everything else, as if it needs to stand out!

A very large bush of this was inside the pousada gardens.

Another combination of bougainvillea.

The cloisters inside the pousada and three cherubs!

I have always admired this old water spout high on the castle wall.

A close up of the white bougainvillea

Side by side but they certainly haven’t aged the same way.

Here you can see the palm fronds and the lavender on the bridge.

Our usual selfie on the bridge.

Look at this happy couple.

Walking always builds up an appetite and we headed to Zeca de Beca, one of our favourite places, and were fortunate enough to snag the last table for four in the tiny alley between two buildings.  We enjoyed a fabulous meal…..no food photos today…and a leisurely time simply sitting and gabbing in the sunshine.

Between the big meal, the vino, and the sunshine, we all four were a bit lethargic, sort of like a happy lizard! Our walk after this was much slower with quite a few more stops to (literally) smell the roses!

Just look at the size of these!!!

Rich hues and deep colour. I know a few folks who will sigh happily over this shot.

This rich colour really stood out.

Many of the palm trees and succulents are in bloom or blooming.

I’ve admired this artists work through the window for a few years now. When I look at her work I hear happiness and energy.

A few more to entertain.

The old church tower from an angle I hadn’t noticed before.

All perfect things must come to an end and I can tell you, the drive home in the car was pretty quiet as we were all worn out from the meandering.   Patricia was happy to see us and we spent the rest of the time on the upper terrace enjoying the afternoon until just after 17h00 when Pat and Gary joined us and aperol spritzers became the focus.  Life rolls on and we still keep pinching ourselves with happiness.

And in closing……one simple question……WHO WORE IT BEST?