Portugal First Timers

Day One - 17 April

On my 50x50 (50 things to by the age of 50) list I had put 'a trip to Lisbon'. In reality it turned out to be too complicated to manage in the time available, mainly because Exeter airport only flies to Faro, so Faro it was. I was accompanied by my two favourite partners in crime, Caitlin and Riona.  The scene was set.

We flew stupidly early on the Wednesday landing at Faro before what seemed like breakfast.  It took us a while to sort the hire car mainly because we'd booked an 'economy' hire company which involved standing in the car park and bundling onto one of their minibuses when it arrived.  As the hirer/driver I squeezed myself onto the first one leaving the girls behind as the heavens opened (sorry about that).  They eventually caught up with me just as we were given our slightly too-big left hand drive car with a dodgy parcel shelf.  Ah well...

Pretty much before we'd left the airport the girls were requesting food so we stopped at the first Aldi we found.  We stocked up on cheese, bread, fruit and some gluten free bread stuff (yay) and headed west.  Caitlin was surprisingly knowledgeable on Aldi and its organisation/ownership etc.  

Not before long we saw evidence that Portugal was running out of fuel.  The tanker drivers were striking and not only petrol stations, but airports and public transport were running low.  The queues at stations were crazy and I was already contemplating a large bill for returning the hire car without refilling.  Ah well, what could I do?

We stopped at a random beach/cliff thing for lunch then drove to our accommodation in Lagos.  Our AirBnB was as expected and we unpacked and headed out to explore Lagos - in the rain.  

At least I had a map to shelter under.

We stopped for a drink and Riona and I caught up with an outstanding cocktail, a pornstar martini.  It was on my 50x50 list but I'd ticked it off having drunk one with Caitlin.   Major objections from Riona as it was her idea so, pornstar martini number II it was!

I do not like cows.  And especially not wet ones.

We dried out at home and enjoyed our first supper.

Day Two - 18 April

It was dry today so we headed for the beach, Praia do Camilo.  It was a bit of a walk but we passed plenty of shrines en route.  

Lots of steps down to the beach.  A geologist's dream.  

The three Muskateers.

We then continued south to the Ponta da Piedade.

There were boat trips to the offshore caves running from the beach, but there was no way I was enticed considering there were few life jackets in the boats and the currents looked super unpredictable.

Riona headed for the photo opportunity.

There she is!

A lighthouse Ruthy thing.

Amazing flora.

And views.  What a blue sea!

The little people (little as in age, not height).

Jungle walking.

Such beautiful fields.

We headed back into Lagos for lunch.

It turned quite hot and I didn't have a hat so Caitlin obliged with her mappy top.  I'm never one to say no to a map on my head.

We enjoyed wandering around Lagos in the sun.  This chap was just parked at the end of the harbour breakwater with his bike.

Oooh anchor.

Anchor and child.

Child things x 2.

Lovely mosaics.

The clouds had lifted and the temperature risen so the girls wanted to revisit Praia do Camilo for some 'proper' beach time. 

Gorgeous.

And this one!

Sandy toes.

This is the life.

Once home we cooked supper and drank wine.  This latter event was a lot more effort than expected.  Our corkscrew broke on first twist so we spent a considerable amount of time hacking into the wine!

Caitlin kept up a running commentary and, at last, we had success!

Day Three - 19 April

We headed back eastwards today and our first immense excitement (for a Ruth) was a fuel station with fuel!  So we stuffed the car with petrol and drove towards Silves which I had decided would be an interesting interlude.  And indeed it was.  Silves is centred around its ancient castle, river and roman bridge.  

Trying out my super zoom...

on a local heron across the river.

Such pretty streets and moody, rain-threatening skies.

We visited the Castle of Silves.  

And enjoyed the view.

Catching up with each other.

This pond had incredibly green waters surrounding the statues.

After Silves we continued east and, after dropping the hire car, ended up in Faro.  

What a lovely place.  We could easily have have spent more time here.  The harbour is lovely.  It is bordered by a huge lagoon which looked to be a bird and other wildlife haven.

We wandered past the harbour into the walled city.

It was sadly a quick whizz around,

in and out of the historical gates.

Back down to the lagoon to watch the sun start to set.

The people I love x

Time for sundowners.

We ate out in a vegan restaurant - a little weird for the sheer lack of choices on the menu (disappointing, I usually find vegan restaurants a lot more interesting).  On our way back to the hostel we came across the Good Friday night procession.

This was a very sombre affair with candle-holding people weaving slowly along the streets and many statues of Mary were held aloft.  My patience for watching this long ceremony trail past drained after a couple of minutes and, although it was only probably 10 mins we were held up awaiting permission to cross the road, it felt a lot more.  Oh me of little patience.

Back to the hostel.  Bed and alarm at silly o'clock for an early flight out of Faro.  Farewell Portugal.  You were damper and colder than expected for April but worth a revisit.