Trip to Lagos, Portugal Part 1

 I decided this year was the year to avoid Semana Santa, Easter week's processions down my street and the accompanied chaos that ensues. I suggested to Ryan and Angela we go to Lagos, Portugal, on the Algarve because it is a beautiful area we have been to before. We scheduled nine days this time due to work needs but a short time is better than none and the break from the tourist filled Sevilla is welcome. Although we just finished orange blossom season which is a delight in the city, scent wafts down from the trees as you walk under and I love it, as does anyone with a nose!

Arrived Saturday, it's about a three hour drive from Sevilla. Necessities shop at a supermarket for sparkling water, snacks and wine, careful how much we bought because it is a bit of a steep path to the front door of the condo. Dinner was at Favorita a pizza/pasta joint, I had a pan fried sea bream fish, yummy and not often available. 

We were entertained by a large sea gull who seemed to own the plaza, snow white with black dotted tail, yellow legs and feet and the red mark under the beak. Recalling information about sea gulls from way back, this was a female, red dot the younguns press to get food from. Enough trivia for now... The wind is constant here which is to be expected on the water but it has a nip to it that penetrates even with the welcomed sunshine.

Sunday we went "up the mountain" called Foia. https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/mount-foia.htm The journey up and back has a varied terrain, farming lands with grazing cattle, horses and sheep; large fields of solar panels; rocky terrain with a quarry and interesting rock formations. The trees are out in bloom with yellow broom, rampant on the highway and beautiful pink blossomed trees that we couldn't identify and many, many stork nests with storks on top. Lunch with Anya and Paul, at Foz do Banho (in Caldas de Monchique) a true Portuguese restaurant with great local food. I had a finely diced pork dish with lots of garlic, the most meat I've eaten in a long time, certainly in one sitting. 

Anya and Paul are good, long time friends with Ryan and Angela so it was catch up time with lovely, lively people.

Up the mountain further and at the top we were treated to a panoramic view of the entire area below, the time before (four years ago now!) it was in complete fog so a treat to see what was actually visible on a good day. 

Visit to the crafts market had me buying a small, original painting of a street lamp and met the painter himself. Bought a mother of pearl ring too, something I do when away, buy a ring, easy to carry and provides a memory.

Half way back down the mountain and it is coffee time so we stopped at Cafe Velochique in Monchique. They are a bicycle shop for purchase and rental (velo is french for bicycle) so you see the apt name. 

Ceramic sculpture in the fountain behind the cafe.

There were many that were going to or had had cycled up/down the mountain which I cannot fathom the effort it must have been! Steep, winding, narrow, two lane roads with very few shoulders but beautiful scenery, again, beautiful scenery!

Lexi chilling, she's not supposed to be there on the couch...

Monday and we head to the marina for a favourite place called Lazy Jack's where the waiter "knows our name" and tells dirty jokes very well. His wife is also a hairstylist so I have an appointment with her later this week.

I am not sure, at this early stage of the trip how many parts there will be to this writing but will keep you updated on the mini vacation as it unravels. 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day and a Procession

 The following pictures are a procession that passed by my windows on Saturday night. The drill, hear the noise, grab phone or camera and go peer over the balcony...

Sunday we went out for lunch to a restaurant Bruce and I used to frequent, frequently. It has changed ownership and been upgraded from the "old man" bar we enjoyed, now named Bodega Palo Santo and is quite posh now. So posh, in fact, that they tried to kick me from the table while waiting for Ryan and Angela! I didn't budge despite both waiters wanting me to, luckily Ryan and Angela turned up right on time and we ordered. Here are some observations which we thought made the reviews for it highly overrated. Tables are small, food advertised as original Spanish dishes did not taste as they normally do, i.e. tragically missing garlic in the pork one. The wait staff did not crack a smile to anyone throughout the service, Not One waiter smiled! Okay it is Sunday and restaurants all over Sevilla are jammed with people, nice day out for everyone, but it is that way every nice weekend. It made us think what is the management like here? Anyway food and service were passable but we won't be returning for overpriced, taste lacking food and grumpy waiters.

All in all, still a nice day out to people and dog watch!

Have a great Saint Patrick's Day if you haven't already, the parade downtown Toronto was held on Saturday. As I say every year, no green beer for me but I will be wearing green!