What a mixed day it’s been. I threw open the curtains in the bedroom to discover gorgeous weather. By the time I got downstairs and looked out, it was pouring and fog was thick!!!! It’s been a bit like that all day long, including a major hail storm while we were driving through the mountain on the way home from our favourite mountain bakery with two steaming loaves of bread scenting the car!
Following a couple of laundries, a fabulous breakfast, and an hour or so of leisure time we headed off to Olhão in search of ingredient to make our own granola. Last year we were introduced to a place that sells in bulk for professional bakers. They also sell to the general public and it’s quite a selection and price saver.
It was 16 degrees with huge sun when we arrived in Olhão, which motivated us to park the car and head off on foot to enjoy some physical activity as well and explore a little. We always find something new and wonderful.
It’s unusual for us to explore the market on a non market day but we both enjoyed it very much. We parked ourselves on the patio at our favourite place and ordered our bicas and shortly after they arrived a huge dark cloud rolled in and dumped heavy rain for about 15 minutes, then brilliant sunshine again. We booted it into the market to stroll about and stay dry.
On the way out of the market I noticed a wall piece that I had never noticed before. I’ve been in and out of this building countless times but this is the first time I saw this. It’s at least 3 feet tall so not sure how I didn’t see it……then I noticed it was only hung in 2025!!! Redeemed myself.
We were, by now, thinking about our tummies and determined to head off to a place tucked back a way from the market all the while enjoying the various winding streets/alleys, including a couple of dead ends!
Lunch was tasty and cheap. A place we had eaten many years ago. It has only six tables but does an amazing “take away” service.
My paella has razon clams, regular clams, shrimp, chicken, pork, and crab. Marc’s fries were, as they say in Newfoundland, “some f……g good”! There were only six of us actually sitting in the restaurant but a steady stream of people picking up and heading off.
When we came out of the restaurant we were struck with how warm it was. Turned out the temperature was at 18 degrees and people had removed jackets and sweaters, us included. We headed for a small grocery shop then into the mountains to pick up break before returning home. Moments before we arrived at the bakery the skies turned black, the thunder pounded, and the hail started. The temperature went from 18 to 8.5 in less than 10 minutes!!!!!
Bread in hand, and still relatively dry, we headed for home to find an email from Carole and André, “we’re in São Brás, can we stop by”……we love that sort of thing. And so they did. A grand visit.
And so continues our wonderful lives here in our beloved Portugal.
Our weather notification received today: Mainland Portugal is expected to face worsening weather conditions from Saturday morning as Storm Marta moves in, bringing heavy rain, snowfall, strong winds, and rough seas. The storm is also likely to cause rivers and streams south of the Tagus River to rise again, increasing the risk of flooding.
According to Portugal’s Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, the worst conditions will begin in the southern region, particularly along the coast. Persistent and sometimes intense rainfall is forecast, along with wind gusts reaching around 100 km/h, and up to 120 km/h in mountainous areas.
Forecasters expect the heaviest rainfall to fall south of the Tagus River, including the greater Lisbon area, with the highest totals likely in Alentejo and the Algarve mountains. Rainfall could reach around 60 mm within 24 hours, which is expected to cause rivers and streams in these regions to rise again, increasing the risk of flooding, according to Portugal’s Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere
I think we just might develop webbed toes!!!
And here’s a little treat from Marc.
Once again entertaining. Not sure about the weather tho. Stay safe in the storm.
Thanks darlin’, it’s very scary for many here and so far 12 people dead. Some of the news footage near (south of) Lisboa is shocking.
The weather is really quite shocking there this year. As many years as you have been going there, I can’t say I’ve ever known it to be this bad. You guys are in an area that isn’t really getting the brunt of it, except for this latest storm. So I hope everything goes well and the storm passes quickly and safely for everyone. For some reason, the picture of those shrimp was quite disgusting to me. They just looked like centipedes or Millipedes or bugs of sort. I may not partake in shrimp for a while. LOL great pictures of you and Marco.
Garlic flavored bananas made me laugh. That’s not something you really want hanging next to each other now is it. Those beautiful blue and white homes are quite stunning. But then so many of the homes in Portugal are quite lovely.
Thank you for the lovely video Marco. You two stay safe, love and hugs to you both.
LOL, aren’t you the funny one, I’m assuming you meant the shrimp on my paella? or did you mean in the market?? In any case, the ones on my paella were succulent, fresh, and a pain in the butt to clean……I had them from my hairline to my chin by the time I finished. Garlic in it’s skin like that hasn’t any odor so, the bananas are safe. Marc appreciates the video feedback, he does most of them for you as I’m sure you know. Love and Hugs back
I saw a video clip earlier this week with a washed out and buckled mountain road a little bit further north of your area. Stay safe!
Thanks Gord, things really are a mess here and yes, roads are washing away everywhere. It’s very sad for the locals
Lucky you with your trip to Olhao. There was definitely more rain and much less sun here. Your photos made me smile and remind me of what’s to come…eventually. We watched the hail coming down through the laundromat windows. Probably one of the more popular places in town. Fingers crossed for some drier weather.
We did luck out with the weather in Olhão for sure, we couldn’t believe it hit 18 degrees, and required removing our hoodies!!! LOL Better weather is ahead.
Wonderful photos and video! Here I am, trying to get my blood sugar under control and lose some weight, and then I look at your posts… they’re killing me, haha. OMG, that paella!!! I hope your weather gets pleasant again soon!
Thanks Gerard. I think you would love it here, especially with all the flora and fauna. We are, as you can probably tell, in our element. Every day is a new splash of colour. As for the food, we walk it off!! Stay well.
So happy for your great day! Really enjoyed your photos, always so interesting and well chosen! Miguel Martins…terrific piece of art! I had a coffee here with you and Marc while you ate your fabulous lunch! 🤗🤗
Yes, that piece of art is quite lovely, and creative. I was happy to have discovered it. I love finding new things in old places