Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground

Terry O’Shaughnessey arrived in Tavira late Monday afternoon. A longtime friend, she was escaping the hardships of a Montreal winter and this was her first visit to the Algarve. Tuesday, January 21 was a sun filled day with a brisk cool breeze and from looking at the local weather forecast for the week, it appeared to be the only beach day for the week so we went.

It’s a short inexpensive ferry ride from the centre of town following the Gilão River through the estuary to the beach. The latter is a long narrow strip of sand and rock that stretches from Tavira to Faro, Olheao and beyond.

Luckily, one restaurant on the island was open and the have dozen or so ferry riders could be seen at the tables on the restaurant patio, The waiter was a lot of fun and kept up an energetic pace to make sure everyone received their food and drinks in a timely manner.

Once lunch was over, we prowled the beach searching for shells and then found an ideal spot to stretch out on the sand and soak up the sunshine until it was time to head back to the ferry dock. One crazy Canadian went wading in the ocean. Apparently it wasn’t cold!

We set off on the ferry from Tavira.

Terry, cheerfully off to the beach on her first day in Tavira.

Travelling through the estuary.

Shore birds along the way.

Safe landing on the island.

A forest of flowering shrubs

and a lunch of prawns and seared tuna or prawns and monkfish.

The presentation was fun but they were soon wind chilled but delicious.

And then we set out for a walk on the beach.

The beach spread endlessly in both directions

Fishing folk were in abundance.

There were lots of shells to choose from and one or two found their way into my pocket.

The rocky promontory and looking eastwards to Spain.

Walking barefoot on the beach

past a stranded jelly fish.

Sand, sea,

waves…

…and endless sky…

… that slowly began to fill

with clouds as

we said goodbye.

There was more to the day than sauntering on the sandy shore of Tavira Island. The Tavira is open daily although not with all of the vendors that show up on Saturday but it was worth a visit.

And then it was time to begin exploring the town and scope the shopping situation. It never hurts to compare prices and quality.

Alleyways beckon

and Datura blossoms

capture attention

along with others

and the day winds down to its close.

The day ended with a lovely dinner but no photo of it. We’ll simply have to return to that restaurant.

The restaurant where we ate.

The street musician

and his dog pack up and go home

quietly observed by a cat.

Goodnight, Tavira.