May 2020 - Part 2

Hamish having arranged the surfing lesson, we took off to Portimão, where the lesson was to take place in a couple of days.  We spent a quiet night at Praia do Alemão before moving to a parking place by the marina the following morning, just a few minutes’ walk from the meeting point for the lesson.

We still had a day before the lesson and after a coffee on the beach we walked into town. After lunch we split up; Hamish and Harley walked back to the van (it was really rather hot and Harley has definitely had enough by then), while I went in search of a yarn shop.  (I do knit quite a bit at the moment) I found that all 3 of the yarn shops listed for Portimão had been closed down (I guess not much requirement for woolly jumpers in the Algarve) so I bought a couple of wine glasses instead to replace the ones I have broken a little while ago. You see, we have discovered that you can get quite a decent wine for very little money here.

 The next morning we have arrived well in time for the surf lesson. It was a small group and everybody had to get into their wetsuits right there on the pavement, in front of the surf-shop, as due to the virus, we were not allowed into the shop. The lesson took a couple of hours and I believe much fun was had by all. Expect Harley. As usual, he was most concerned about Hamish going into the sea and he spent quite a lot of the time whining and crying about it.

In the evening we walked out to the lighthouse on the beach. It was quiet, not many people around, but you could see that under normal circumstances the place would have been heaving. Bars, restaurants, clubs – currently all closed or just about empty.

We needed to empty/refill, wash and shop again the following day and we went to the outskirts of  Armação de Pêra to do so. We ended up on a campsite for the evening, as it was the simplest and cheapest option. We had a little BBQ party for 2 and all was well, although Hamish was complaining about ants falling on his head from the tree above. We did not really think anything of it at the time…

On the Friday (22^nd May) we went to look at the Benagil cave. Unfortunately, since none of the excursions run yet, we could not get inside (you must be taken there by a boat/kayak), but you can walk around the top of it outside. It is fenced off for safety, but we could just about look in.

We parked for the next few nights at Praia da Marinha beach.

In the morning we went for a walk along the coastline that is rather spectacular. It was really hot, so we spent the middle of the day hiding from the sun, only going to the beach in the evening or early morning. 

Moving on, we went to Armação de Pêra beach, as we were told by a couple we met some days ago that it was nice. We did not like it though, as by now it was full of people, really very busy and without any shade what so ever and it was still HOT. We have decided to continue to Barragem do Arade instead. On the way we have bought a “meter of oranges” from a street seller we have come across before. (We seem to eat a lot of oranges…)

We spent a couple of nights at Barragem do Arade. It was absolutely lovely. Beautiful scenery, quiet. Hamish went for a swim – and encountered a snake in the water. (Apparently not venomous and of the smaller variety, but what the hell…you will not catch me swimming there. Ever.)

And remember the ants falling from the tree? They seem to have moved in with us and had a housewarming party one morning. I spent a whole afternoon trying to clean them out. Now, some days later, I still come across the odd one…looking for an ant-trap next…

We spent the following Tuesday (26^th May) driving around the country. First we went to Silves to look at the castle, but it was still shut. However, the Cathedral next door was open and it was well worth a visit. Although not very large as far as cathedrals go, it is very old and has a wonderful atmosphere. The building work started in the 13^th century, i.e. just following the age of the Templars and it shows in its style which is very different from a lot of the churches we have seen so far.

After a quick lunch at the local restaurant (clearly missing the tourists and where the only other guest has tried to sell us her house) we continued to Monchique which we found quite drab.

We ended for the night at Paderne castle. On the way, we had a bit of a disagreement with google about whether or not the van can drive over water and ended up retracing our way across “Purgatório” (Purgatory) twice.  Lol. )

Paderne castle is an old ruin, closed to the public, but we climbed in the following morning to take a look. It was made of rammed earth, so not a great deal left of it. We then went to Loule. A nice little town where we visited a small museum and the remains of the castle wall. Spent some time chatting to the attendant about the virus situation. It is tricky. They need the tourist to make a living, but of course there is the virus still… We had a super nice and super expensive lemonade in one of the lovely little court yard cafes afterwards, then moved onto Fonte Benemola.

Fonte Benemola is in the woods, where the irrigation works are still visible, although no longer in use.  We went for a walk and came across a variety of old, rusty contraptions that were part of the old irrigation works as well as a number of abandoned buildings.

Hamish spent the evening trying to learn how to pick a padlock. Apparently you never know when you might need to pick a padlock…

Faro was on the agenda the next day. We only walked around the old town, but we were not impressed. Maybe we need to see it from a different angle…

Tavira on the other hand was nice. A pretty little town, with a lovely park by the river. We saw fiddler crabs in the mud on our way into town. They looked very funny waving their claws about, defending their home.

We came to the beach Praia do Cabeço just outside of  Monte Gordo a few days ago and the first thing we did is got stuck in the sand!  We were looking for a shady spot to park up on and there was this perfect place between the trees. Except it was not…After “some” digging, and raiding the local rubbish tip for a couple of wooden headboards, we managed to get out. Yesss!

Since then, we have been taking it easy. We walk into town for a coffee thru the woods, chill in the van when it is really hot and go for a walk in the evenings. Or not. We did not even bother to go to the beach much, as it was really hot and there were far too many people about. Also, dogs are not allowed, which is fair, but it means that we don’t go either. 

Last night we did have a little walk thought and we saw several very large jelly fish on the beach and sadly, we also came across a dead baby whale. (Yeah, really – a tractor came to take it away later.)

We are now just hanging out, waiting to see if we can make it across to Spain in the next few days.

May 2020 - Part 2 Map1

May 2020 - Part 2 Map2

Portimão - we parked across the river from this abondoned castle

Portimão - evening sights

Portimão - Silver fox!

Portimão - surfing bodies

Portimão - I got my eye on you!

Portimão - You are safe!

Portimão - on our evening walk

Portimão - the end of the road

Armação de Pêra - campsite with ant tree

Benagil town and coastline

Benagil cave

Praia de Marhina

Praia de Marhina - can you find the same stone as on the picture above?

Coastline around the Praia de Marhina

A meter of oranges - we still have a few left

Barragem do Arade - all man-made

Barragem do Arade

Barragem do Arade - the visitor

Barragem do Arade - party no more!

Silves Cathedral

Purgatory on earth

Paderne castle

Paderne castle - evening sights

Paderne castle

Paderne castle - this was the church once upon a time

Paderne castle - the walls are mostly rammed earth

Loule - nearly all of the castle wall left fits into one picture

Fonte Benemola - along the old irrigation canal

Fonte Beneola - old irrigation equipment

Fonte Beneola - bridge across water

Fonte Beneola - waterfall

Fonte Beneola - If we need to pick a padlock, we will be in trouble...

Faro - old town

Faro - such a shame!

Tavira - The converted water tower provides 360 degree views when open.

Tavira

Tavira - fiddler crabs

Praia do Cabeço - Hmmm...

Praia do Cabeço - we did share the digging

Praia do Cabeço - re-purpusing...

Praia do Cabeço - I love agood headboard!

Praia do Cabeço -fowering caties are everywhere

Praia do Cabeço - Jelly fis on the beach - there were quite a few of them

Monte Gordo  - the fisherman are hard at work

Monte Gordo - The resturants are in the process of putting out the beach umbrellas in anicipation...