Day 39. Wednesday 16 April.

Morning sunshine gave promise…and Shiva on the corner smiled on us…by 1000 clouds had moved in but the sky remained kind throughout, and showed beautiful complement to architecture in Tavira.

We walked and admired the facades in narrow streets: dominant trims blue and yellow on white…and that combo appeared in textiles (scarves, tablecloths, tea towels)

After very decent coffee and sweet treats (healthy of course: almonds and fruit and a special pumpkin with strings) it was just an amble. D had navigated to the charity shop Second Chance (run by some British gals who detailed the causes that the shop supports…sorry we won’t be here when the craft fair happens in 2 weeks from now): nothing gathered, but T had a pleasant conversation with staff.

Then, in a souvenir shop, a handmade sweater caught her eye…wrong size…’obligado’…! Then a short while later, in a different shop, something very similar was chosen (her first non-food-trip-purchase). 

At the Centro square, despite the sky and breeze, kids were doing what kids do and 10 minutes later, after our visit to tourist office – yes there were tears. Kids doing what kids do.

‘Let’s go to the sea’, said T…and the Peugeot spun its wheels towards the Costa Atlantica. Well, not quite, even though we took a ‘detour’ on a very narrow dirt road…Doris and D navigated past the salt ponds, dodging a few cyclists, to Olahao, an upmarket-apartment block and restaurant-lined esplanade town with extensive marina facilities. No sand in sight. D tried using his Easy Park app from home but funny how it didn’t recognise the Peugeot number plate (it only knows the Ranger). So many restaurants and such a stiff, very cool breeze…not a good combo for business nor for a pleasant stroll. So, ‘let’s head for Sta. Catarina’ where the cook is keen to do her first tempura experiment: piex…. (‘fishes from the garden’, a traditional Portuguese dish) using those long flat beans…

Sta. Catarina smiled and Craig L would proudly own this one! (If he knows what’s good for him).

Dinner. A refurbished chorizo stew on cous cous browned with cumin and oil.