Odds and sods


Let’s get this out of the way: Portugal has just reported its first case of  Coronavirus. A doctor returning from a holiday in Italy is now hospitalized in Porto. I believe there is someone else, also up north,  under observation after returning from China. I don’t want to be glib about this, but so far feel there is very little concern here in Tavira, perhaps because it is a small town with few crowds. I haven’t seen anyone in a mask yet, so still feeling blessed to be wintering in such a lovely part of Portugal. Personally I feel the way the media is reporting on the world situation, tends to increase a feeling of panic. I am consulting official websites for daily updates on the situation in Portugal, and where I am going next - to Edinburgh and then Crete. So far, fingers, eyes and knees crossed, hands washed often, I don’t feel in any danger whatever. 

 The flowers are blooming everywhere in a blaze of colors. Orange and almond blossoms fill the air with lovely scents. Everyday I pick a fresh bouquet to brighten up my apartment. Today’s includes almond blossoms (that arrived with a bumble bee), some lavender (National flower of Portugal) and a never ending supply of others species.                                       
 
         
The other day I accidentally discovered that a huge bush I passed by every day  was rosemary..so I have joined the pickers. It smells divine and we’ve already used it with lamb and pork. And now I’ve noticed big clumps of rosemary everywhere with teeny blue flowers.  Makes me very embarrassed for that scraggly specimen that suffered so long on my kitchen windowsill. 
Only cloudy day since Jan 15th
Rosemary bush



Took a mini road trip this week to visit friend’s of Gordon’s, Ken and Ann Brand who winter in Quartiera about a half hour on the other side of Faro. It is a very busy resort on a large beach lined with a seaside boardwalk and many high rises. We strolled from there over to the next town Vilamoura, also a very busy place known for its Super-yachts, casino and multiple golf courses. Mac and I stayed there on our first visit to Portugal in 1984 and this time there was not one familiar building, the place has expanded so much. However, Ken and Ann have scouted out the great restaurants and we enjoyed a delicious chicken piri piri lunch and especially the sangria that came as a side😋. When we asked about the decor (hanging legs of some animal) they brought us a huge plate of tasty presunto (prosciutto) and fresh baked bread as the answer instead of “hog legs”!  Waddled all the way back, and they slowly pored Gord and I on the bus and we headed home to quiet, low rise cobblestoned Tavira. ahhhhhh 
Coincidentally the next day Ken and Ann were expecting Tom Innes and his wife, former owners of the Chicken Burger in Bedford. Small world again.


Met this guy Peter from Belgium ,who was peddling around Europe on his homemade solar bike
My form of cycling available in all parkettes

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