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June 8th 2013

Published: August 26th 2013

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Charmita and Olarse

TDM on tour

An early start on Saturday 1st June and lots of excitement to be going on the "air-plane". A smooth flight, followed by a supermarket trip and a paddle in the pool were all that we managed before dinner on the restaurant terrace, where we played with Thomas and Percy (and their bridge), and watched a beetle.

Sunday was hardly more energetic, a day by the pool and an evening with an ice cream in Carvoeiro.

But it was action stations on Monday, as we headed (circuitously) to the small village of Ferragudo, on the banks of the Rio Arade river estuary. We had coffee and orange juice in the main cobbled square after watching the fishermen. It is not a touristy place: a couple of streets back, old men wearing heavy clothes despite the heat smoked outside, and a cafe offered soup of the day for €1. We spent a very hot afternoon on Carvoeiro beach, and going for a walk around the town. In the evening, we took our meat and fish to the HPB communal BBQ, supped on their wine and had delicious desserts before losing the quiz by a single point - doh!

Another beach

James the porter

€5 per bag please

trip on Tuesday, to Benagil, one of many where the steep cliffs tower over the fabulous golden sands. But Granny G had a better place in mind: Marinha Beach, with yet more dramatic cliffs and islets in the sea, one of which looked like a big piece of cake. This was the first time for us in the ocean, brrrr! Games of bat n ball, and that night Gramps & GG babysat so that we could go for cocktails and dinner at Onze.

Wednesday - Road Trip! A relatively early start and a drive west to Lagos (a name which we all pronounced slightly differently). A wander round the cobbled streets of the town, which was Europe's first slavery outpost. Lunch on the promenade watching the boats. One of the highlights of the morning were the custard tarts. This is because they were very good, not because we had a dull time. (Let us know if you make them http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1354638/portuguese-custard-tarts-pasteis-de-nata). A brief stop in the seaside village of Luz for an ice cream was followed by another drive to Sagres, the southwest corner of Europe, home of the eponymous beer and an old fort. It was of course very

James the porter #2

Discount if you help me

windy and, as the fort is perched on the crumbly cliffs that are a feature of the Algarve, it seems only a matter of time before some of it flakes into the sea. Back at the ranch, we all had pizza with wine from Alentejo region, which we recently discovered is the origin of Portugal's best wine (followed by Douro). Outside the restaurant, James played with the mini trolley from Spar until the store closed, before running up and down slopes ("sli-dees") and saying "hi" in the phone box.

Thursday was a day to stay local, with a walk to the lighthouse and some time in the pool. The girls went out for cocktails and we all ate in.

Our last full day, Friday, we walked for an hour and a half into Carvoeiro via the cliff tops. We had a few hours on the beach and a wander around town before drinks on the balcony and a delicious meal at a local restaurant.

The Saturday flight back was also fine and we've got lots of great memories - thanks granny and gramps for organising it!