Algarve - Day 17

We walked to the marina for the grotto boat trip, and got on the 10am one. We were the only ones on the boat.

We were taken round past beaches to Point Piedade and into various grottos.

Back in town we went to the local market.

After this we went to the Santa Maria church, which was impressive but we were not allowed to take photos. We then visited the slavery museum, which was a bit disappointing.

We sat on the beach in the sun for a while.

Later that evening we went out. A drink first at Moinho bar, a converted windmill, then dinner at Os Lambertos. Scott had pork with clams, Shirley had a type of fillet steak, served with home made crisps.

Algarve - Day 16

We walked down to the marina to see about a boat trip to the grottoes. However they said the water was too choppy for it, and to try again tomorrow.

We walked back home and drove out to Mexilhoeira Grande train station for a walk round the marshes and salt lagoons. We saw some flamingoes and lots of other birds.

After walking back to the car we drove on to Alvor, for another walk. First it was on boardwalks over the dunes, then back along the beach to the breakwater at the entrance gap to the lagoon.

There were people digging for cockles or crabs or something.

There were fishing huts on the quay at Alvor.

We had a walk round Alvor town and a craft beer in Beer & Co.

We drove home and bought some provisions in our local Intermarché. Later for dinner we had the rest of the tortilla with sausage, bacon and tomato.

Algarve - Day 15

We drove to Monchique and walked another circular route from the book, route 17.

It was mostly a long downhill section past villas, terraces and lots of forests devastated by last year's fires.

We eventually found strawberry trees!

As we started to go uphill we went through the village of Caldas de Monchique, where we stopped for lunch at the church.

Then an even longer uphill section, eventually to a peak at Picota which has a lookout post. It was very windy there.

We walked back downhill through eucalyptus forests back to the car, it was 19km in total.

On the way back we stopped at a beach bar at Meia Praia. Later for dinner we had the rest of the chicken curry with rice.

Algarve - Day 14

We walked into Lagos today. First down to the old city walls then through the narrow streets. There are lots of bars, restaurants and tourist shops.

There were a lot of egrets, storks and other birds around near the river.

Lagos has quite a few murals on its walls.

Since it was Monday most of the museums were closed. We also walked round the marina and to the main beach.

We walked back to the Inna restaurant for lunch, 5 euros from the fixed price menu. We had roast pork and piri piri chicken.

After lunch we walked round the old town a bit more then went home. We had potato tortilla for dinner.

Algarve - Day 13

We drove to the west coast near Vila do Bispo and parked, to do walk 6 from the book. We walked towards the coast, first to a tower, then on to a viewpoint overlooking the long beaches.

We went down a steep slope to the beach, then walked 3km along the back of the beach.

We stopped at the end for lunch then went inland up and along forest tracks.

At one point we were passed by loads of 4x4s on a safari. Back at the car we drove to Cape St Vincent, the furthest south west point in mainland Europe. We walked to the lighthouse.

There were men fishing while perched precariously on the cliff face.

Then we drove to Sagres and visited the fort. It has a large circular wind rose which is used to determine the direction of the wind.

Behind it we walked round the headland to the small lighthouse. There were a few blowholes in the cliffs, one had been turned into a "Chamber of Sound" which let you sit above a grill and hear the sea rushing in below. It was very loud and blowy.

Then we went into Sagres for an ice cream.

Later for dinner we had fish fingers and fried potatoes.