Eastward Ho!

 Having spent the first three days going west out of Almancil, today we decided to head east. 

For geographical reference, Almancil is about equally as far from Sagres on the southwest coast, where we went Sunday, as the Spanish border is east  

We were told by multiple sources to go to Tavira, a fishing village halfway to Spain. We understand why now — it is quaint. 

We started with breakfast. Brunch? It was a hippy dippy place right on the water in town. You know the kind of place: lots of coffees, smoothies, avocado toast and bowls with quinoa. They were all happy with theirs.

On the way back from the casa da banho , I looked in the pastry case and ended up having chocolate cake  😀

The funniest part of the episode is that we sat there and at one point either M or K said “isn’t funny how many people in here are speaking English?”  And they all were.  Then a couple comes in, mumbling English, and the woman to my left gets up to greet them  — in English — but first the two women to my right say “Hey!” And greet them — in English.  We decided it was expat cafe.  A bit odd and coincidental, but weird. 

Then we walked up to the castle, no small thing. It’s been there in part since the Moors. The main courtyard was bought and restored by the city .

We worked west toward “home” to Faro, which turned out to be quite the place.  The castle walls were huge — there was something like 5 hectares (12 acres) enclosed.  We walked up the opening hill to the cathedral, which was much nicer than yesterday’s.  Here’s one shot.  

After looking around, I wanted a sit down and a drink, our afternoon, and there was a place a block from the cathedral called, inventively, The Old Tavern.  

We got the Old Tavern Board.  It was too much. As you can see:

Next, we had not been to the beach.  So, we went, not far from our condo — this is video of Ian going down to the water at Praia de Quinto. 

We made a quick stop at home and went to dinner.  

We were the only one in the Tipsee Turtle. The web said it was a new place.  They served 18 different culture’s food.  I had coq au vin; Ee had pork rolls; K had a shawarma wrap, and M had something gross made with minced chicken.  Something Asian with minced chicken.  I got a taste and the dominant taste was cloves…you fill in the blanks.  Here’s mine:

It was all good.  It was our least expensive meal by a lot, and another table came in as we finished, but we are sure they are going to struggle with their prices and lack of action.  Of course, this is low season.

The chef, who I called Mr. Turtle, which he owned, actually came out and talked to us.  :)

We stopped at Cheeky Pup for drinks and desserts (I avoided the pink peppercorns this time :)) and then home to Ee and K winning the one round of euchre.  This makes K 4-1 for the week.  I’m sure the next two nights will be a vicious fight for the title of champion of the week…I just hope not to finish alone in last. :)

And that is all I have for today.

Tomorrow morning we leave the Algarve; we are stopping on the way to Lisbon at a place recommended by several — Evorra (or Eborra).  It should make for a bunch of good pictures.  I can’t speak for the food porn. :). Amanha