Winter 2020

Sunday’s are quiet in Tavira so I decided a stroll to Cabanas , only 6 km away on the well trod Ecovia bike and walking trail, would be interesting. It was, but I forgot about the 6km return and on Sunday no buses operate.  Ah well ...the  tourist officer said it was all flat, the foot Bridge was open again and the road was well marked with signs and she  circled the beginning over by the shopping centre.  I guess I need to learn to clarify because the “road” ended about 10 minutes later and a local pointed me to a dirt pathway veering left.  It did look flat and there were others on the pathway but signs, what signs?       “Well signed” obviously means look for the yellow arrows that can be anywhere...up high, hidden in graffiti or down low. And keep on trekking. Cabanas is   a small village just  east of  Tavira that was once a major tuna fishing centre, but today the only catch are tourists. There is a nice promenad...

Settling in: what’s not to like about oranges, flowers and 18 degrees in January sunshine.  But there are some adjustments. I went 2 days without making a coffee despite having 3 cafe makers that I didn’t know how to work or instructions not in english😏 but I found a French Press for 4.50 € and ran all the way back to apt. Mind you there are cafes on every single corner so I didn’t suffer much. My favourite place so far is a homemade chocolate bonbon and a teeny cup of coffee for 1.50 €  but I have to climb up some steep cobblestone to get there.  And tonight I realized I didn’t know how to use the corkscrew. So away I go tomorrow to see if I can find the hinged wing type I’m used to.  I noticed very few screw top wine bottles which makes sense in the country of cork. Drinkable house wine costs under 4 € in the grocery store. The mini bottle I bought for tonight cost .99€  shame I can’t get it open!    Meet my new French Press ...

Sunday Jan 5th :    Nine hardy souls braved the elements plus Barry & Judy came across the hall to share some  Who's yer Father?    conversation, slurp some seafood chowder and hamburger soup and expose the usual Maritime connections. Thanks to all my great friends for also helping me eat down the fridge a bit more too.  ' Monday & Tuesday Jan 6 and 7: Time for tune ups... first a quick visit to the Snore Shoppe. I‘ve reluctantly decided to pack my CPAP machine since I have also moved up a suitcase size.  Next had to get my car ready for winter in Bedford. Fill up the tank, add a fuel stabilizer and oil change. And finally a quick Dr appt to pick up a few of my new best friends  ativan Wednesday Jan 8th :   Snow day. Dropping white since early morn ... Yea I know it’s a bit pretty but I won’t miss it one bit. Thursday and Sunday : Family meals & sleep over Monday Jan 13th. Fly day  plane to Ottawa was late leaving...