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Published: October 8th 2007
Albufeira in the rain.
Can I just start by saying that even the rain is better here !! It doesn’t rain in Ireland, whatever the wise ones might say, they are wrong. In Portugal when it rains it pours, biblical proportions !! There we were sitting in a lovely little restaurant in an old converted wine cellar, complete with the most perfect vaulted ceilings and a couple of thousand bottles of port in the walls, when it started to rain. We had just ordered lunch and were looking forward to going on to watch the Ireland -Argentine game when drops as big as golf balls began to fall. So far no problem about to tuck into avocado salad with prawns followed by grilled sea bass washed down by a bottle of vino branco, yum. Looked at the by now river that was flowing down the street while we waited, watched the silly German tourists taking pictures of water on the cobbles a good six inches below the threshold. Five minutes later the water is trickling over the threshold, hmm, should be ok although not so silly Germans are leaving and the water is still rising !! Five minutes more and we
are under eighteen inches of fast flowing water in the restaurant, packing up and wading out into the torrent that has replaced the street. It was incredible, the heavy manhole covers were floating leaving big holes 2 foot below the water that were definitely best avoided. We headed uphill and found a dry watering hole, if you know what I mean, full of soaking wet people and ended up tucking into an all day breakfast and watching the trashing. The rain lasted two days accompanied by ear popping thunder and lightning. When it ended everything in the campsite was soaked and or muddied. Our lovely spot under the pine trees down in the valley had turned out to be not such a good idea. Mud and water ran right through the spot in front of the van where our groundsheet lay and gave us a real problem getting into the van. Anyway we found a lovely pitch on the hill first chance we got and moved up there, washed down all the gear and all is back to better than before. The beach got damaged by the torrent of off flow from the town and has a big gaping 6ft
St. Vincent
Near Sagres, end of the worldedeep by 20ft wide ravine right through the middle of it. The rain gave us a chance to do other things, we hired a car and headed up the mountains to Monchique. It is a beautiful part of Portugal and the best of the Algarve. Twenty kms from the coast and Praia da Rocha and a world away. Went to Portimao to meet the CY ladies on tour, Therese who has joined us since last Sunday, Nuala and Rachel who went home with the fat man on Sunday. They ladies had a beautiful villa for themselves in Carveiro that made us mad jealous of the grandeur and we were glad we went to see them in the car and not in trailer trash-mobile, would be like the poor relations visiting Mrs Bucket and there were three Buckets to deal with here !!!
Therese!
Like I say we were delighted when Therese joined us last Sunday Evan is over the moon having his Gan with him. Pity Evelyn couldn’t make it, but I am sure she is being kept entertained by her new Grandson Jude or as Evan says “ my special fwiend Dude “ .I said it before and I
will say it again I really like Albufeira. We had a great visit to the Atrium restaurant tonight and it is a bit like a Portuguese jury’s cabaret but better craic and the food is super. If you come here don’t miss it any mon, wed or sat night and say hello to Kim, a most friendly host. The restaurant is upstairs beyond an ordinary looking doorway on the street with the beach tunnel. It was on old music hall and its character has been kept. If you happen to be in a party of two try to get a window seat which have their own small wrought iron veranda overlooking the street, very rosemantic.!!
The car has worked out great, we have been able to get around and see more than normal. The week has been full of one highlight after the other. Monchique was really lovely and if you were house hunting actually sill affordable and we really enjoyed the day . Another day was spent at the old end of the world, or Cape St Vincent as it is called. This was the last sight of land for the ancient mariners before they headed west into the
ZooMarine
The 3 Amigos unknown and what a sight it must have been. A lighthouse stands proudly on the huge cliff top now with the sea on three sides. The views here are stunning, up the west coast towards Lisbon and down the south coast past a very impressive Sagres and its castle. If you are careful and look over the cliff at the sea below you can see the many shoals of fish close to the rock face. Rockclimbing fishermen perched on ledges take them on with what must be the longest lines on any rods. You would need 100ft just to get to the water and who knows how deep it is. On a nice calm day like that of our visit it must be a great way to spend a few hours but when the wind blows here it has three thousand miles to get up steam and cant imagine too many would take their place then. There are not many trees to be seen for a few kms from the point, the task of clinging onto the rocky headland proving to much for most. It has the same rugged beauty as a lot of the west coast of Ireland. The
little town of Sagres which is about 6kms back along the headland is very nice, a through back to Portugal of a few years ago. A seaside town with a fishing fleet and the feel of a nice place. Small bars and restaurants with no high rise apartment blocks. Plenty of rooms to rent, the front of almost every house has a sign offering accommodation. We found a nice little beach on the west of the town, surrounded by cliffs, with one beach bar at its entrance. It was our heaven for the day. There were a few surfers there taking advantage of the huge breaking waves that batter the rocks, but otherwise we had the sandy beach to ourselves and we enjoyed the crystal clear water and glorious sunshine for the day.
Friday 5th October
We went to zoo marine for the day on Friday, where unlike Ireland all the children under 6 get in free and best of all Therese got in for half price as an OAP. Great fun buying the tickets as she was highly offended at not paying the full fare. Of course the way it was announced to the booth lady could have
Luciana
Hugs from Brazil been a bit more subtle, but I might not get another chance to embarrass her like that again so it had to be done. She took it well though when Orla and I stopped holding each other up with the laughter !!The mouth on those oldies when they get going !! I was shocked at what poor Evan heard.
The place itself was wonderful and worth every penny they charge. The dolphins were the big thrill of the day and will be difficult to better. The large swimming pools and all of the rides are included in your entry and we had a great day, which we finished off with a big BBQ back at base.
Children are welcome at any hour here but a couple of nights Therese was more interested in a DVD and the bed than going out so she minded Evan and the boss and I went out on our own, to drink over large sparkly cocktails from straws as big as a tall pygmy. Don’t know what was in half of them but two happy campers rolled up the hill for a night cap of very fine port with the baby sitter, who by the
Praia D'Oura
Me n Charlie look on her face was delighted at her decision to stay in!! It was great, I would imagine to sit in the hammock under the big olive tree and the bright stars and sip fine port. Unfortunately those hammocks have a way of entangling you at the best of times and port leaves a horrible gun shot stain on your white linen shirt, so I wont be trying that again !!
We were due to leave the campsite today Saturday, but the weather is too nice so we paid up this morning until next Wed, then we will definitely start the journey home, probably !! No Evelyn don’t worry we are coming back DEFINITELY almost. The ladies and the Evan have taken to the pool which gave me a chance to sit with the computer but its Very Warm now and the water is calling, so I’m off.
Monday 8th October
Orla here. Finally got to the internet café today!! We have been so very busy, what, with going to the beach, and all the other things that Howie has mentioned. Its fantastic having Therese with us. A lot more shopping involved in the trip now that she’s here! Highlight
Praia D'Oura
Pauls Beach Bar of the week for me was the dolphins at ZooMarine. They were incredible. Howie was out last night with Paul from the beach bar and he came back up to the campervan afterwards for a while. We’ve met so many nice people here as we’ve had a little trouble with the electrics so thanks to all our fellow helpful campers!! Not looking forward to leaving here as I’ve heard the weather is dreadful at home, but have to come home at some stage I suppose! See you all soon. Orly
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Mel
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Hey family! What an amazing trip you've had - been reading up on your past entries - it'll be a big come down for you all going home I imagine. I have a pic of Evan by my computer - where he's looking up into an aquarium tank - so he's keeping a watchful eye on my work! Perhaps for your next family excursion you might come Down Under...? ; )