Cabanas de Tavira

We caught the local service bus to Cabanas de Tavira on a red-hot day.

The Gang of Three on the small ferry out to the island on the other side of the lagoon

There was a good view of the old fort, now a hotel…

…and an egret, patiently awaiting its lunch.

It looks like this one wants to go exploring…

…and look what she finds…

…a live cockle!

Further along the beach we find a couple of young experts fishing for cockles…

…with an intriguing system of stick and netting…

…dragging the seafood from just under the surface of the sand.

We walked on to the end of the beach, discovering the estuary of the Galao River…

…the other side from where we were a couple of days before.

Although chameleons live in the dunes here, we didn’t see any (obviously camouflaged)!

Just a short walk back to the jetty…

…and the ferry back to civilisation (and lunch).

Colours & excavations

What a colourful town Tavira is, even at the beginning of April.

Bougainvillea plants in evidence everywhere 

Wild poppies…

…and fields of wild flowers…

…right next to the supermarket!

Of course, Southern Portugal has a Mediterranean climate so lots of lemons…

…and oranges wherever you turn your head!

Up by the castle they’re doing archaeological digs.

Their findings should be fascinating as the town has an ancient history..

Change in the weather

The second day using our train travel passes, and the weather hadn’t improved.

Walking down to the beach at Vila Nova de Cacela. Thankfully we found somewhere to have a warming coffee.

Back on the train, this time to Olhão de Restauração where we discovered a great place to eat…

…two international women…

…and a lovely sailing boat, but still no sunshine!

Next day we woke up to wall-to-wall blue

There was no other option: a short ferry trip to the Ilya de Tavira…

…even spotting a flock of pink flamingos glinting in the sun.

Next, a short walk…

…to a very crowded beach…

…where Tine made a beautiful collection of shells…

…and found a big sea urchin.

Meanwhile I walked down the perfect beach to the stone jetty where the Rio Galão reaches the sea

There weren’t many people to disturb me!

Another meal out and I watched the ferry sailing past…

…whilst the Three Amigos had their siesta.

Damp day in Faro (2)

We climbed the cathedral tower to enjoy the views.

Still grey skies sadly!

The mechanics for the bells were fascinating…

…but we were lucky not to have them chime whilst nearby!

An old codger surveying a rather grey scene 

Looking out to sea, the lagoons in full evidence…

…and rooftops, of course.

Back down to earth and a walk along the walls…

…and back through another gate.

The weather didn’t help us get a positive feel for Faro, and the drunk group of Scowsers in the bar where we sheltered didn’t help either!

So back ‘home’ to duvets to warm the girls up!