Category: Uncategorized
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Au revoir to good friends and a great town
Saying goodbye, particularly when you’re having a wonderful time, is rarely easy. Friday, January 24 was our last full day in Tavira so we didn’t waste much time sitting around. Marc and Randy drove in from Estoi and we all headed off for lunch to the same restaurant where Terry and I had been earlier…
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An winter day in Tavira
A winters day in Tavira may feature rain or cloud combined with wind and sunny breaks. Thursday, January 23 was that kind of day. We started out with tracking down the Church of Saint Francis which was less than two blocks from the apartment because of our intention of attending a concert in that venue…
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Tavira Church Cats
Wednesday January, 22 had all the potential of being a rainy day. We were ready and armed with passes that gave us access to four of the main historical churches in the city. Our first stop was an interesting combination of ancient castle fortress and two churches. The ruin of the ancient Castello do Tavira…
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Ilha Tavira beach and sunshine
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…
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Tavira and urban adventures
Saturday it rained in Estoi and it only seemed fitting as it was my last day at the quinta with its wonderful community of friends. I was off on a new adventure, however, to the town of Tavira, a grown-up ancient fishing port situated on both banks of the Rio Gilao. Many thanks to Randy,…
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Hiking to new heights
Friday January 17 dawned free of rain with few clouds in the sky, so, off we went on our planned hike of a trail at Barranco do Velho. Randy, Marc, Patricia, Gary and myself set out on the groomed trail taking in the sights of Caldeirão Mountain. We began at a high point and followed…
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Hiking rehearsal
It’s been a busy week with a trip to Tavira on Tuesday to explore where my new location will be starting on Saturday plus shop for art supplies and have lunch. Wednesday was a group hike up São Miguel with the communication towers at the summit. It was a windy somewhat overcast day and the…
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Mountain top gastronomy
Sunday began with a trip to the Estoi Gypsy Market. It only happens on a Sunday. Vendors and shoppers from near and far crowd into the open air market from about 7:30 a.m. until shortly after 12 noon. It’s a lot of fun and one could actually furnish a house from the goods on hand.…
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Sunny days, sunny ways.
Friday and Saturday went by in a wave of sunshine and cool breezes. It was an opportunity for me to explore some of the lanes and pathways around Estoi and check out the Pousada grounds. That wonderful combination of ancient palace and modern hotel is under renovation. They have recently repainted the exterior and are…
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Rediscovering Estoi
The village or parish of Estoi isn’t large – it has a population of approximately 4,000 people and that reduces in number, in all likelihood, in the off season, which is now. This is the second year in a row that it has served as home base for exploring the Algarve. Thursday, January 9, was…
Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground 