Bob has made appointments to go and see the Chiropactor that we met on the train on saturday. We catch the train to where he practices from and after we leave the train station, it is a short walk to his chiropractic center, and we both get our backs adjusted. Things go clunck and click into place without to much pain, and after some more talking we are on our way again to catch the train to Cascais, which is the next stop after Estoril. Again our Aussie man Adam, gives us the heads up on what is good and where to go in Cascais.
Once off the train, we head off in the directions that Adam has suggested and get and set our bearings for where we have to come back to. McDonalds is the setting we use, but we do not eat there. We head of down one of the streets, and as it is well and truely lunch time, we start looking for a place to eat. We spot an Indian Resturant, and decide that is what we will have. The great thing about the Resturants over here, not only do they have seating inside, but outside also. So you can sit and watch the world pass by. We sit outside, and order our food and a beer, all very enjoyable.
We walk aimlessly down the little cobbled patterned streets which are bright and unusual.
The streets are busy with foot traffic, and the usual hopeful shops selling their wares to the tourist. I stop in at one of these shops to check out the range of Cork products that are for sale. From hats and caps to purses and wallets, back packs to bookmarks and a lot of things in between. I am amazed at what cork is make into. We walk further on, and look out over the ocean, and the little beaches that are around, filled with people taking in the sun, or taking the hoilday snap, or trying to get the great photo with the best possible pose sitting on rocks. It certainly is a lovely place. We head back to our bearing point, and walk down another little street, with much the same things as the other one, and wak on a bit further taking us past some more lovely beaches, and outlooks over the ocean, which has ships waiting to go into port. Once again we go back to our center point and work out what we are going to do to get back to Estoril. It is only 2.3 kms away so we can either take the trian back or walk back. We decide on the latter, as we could use the extra walking, and it will do our backs and adjustments good. But before we leave, I need to get a hat, so we stop at one of the little touristy shops and after some hesitation, I finally make a choice and buy one. There was not a hat that was in my head size, so I just had to go with what was there. So we walk back, and admire the views on the way, sunbathers on the beaches, lots of little gazebos set up for people to relax under with the sun lounge. Our walk took just a little over 40mins, and was good.
Once back at our unit, a rest is required, and that is what is done. We have to start to think about gathering our things up, as we are on the move again tomorrow. There are a few things on the clothes line, and Bob asks if there was anything he could do, and I mention to him that there are some things on the line that he could get of, if he wanted to. Now, let me explain about the clothes line. As we are on the third floor, the clothes line is one of those expandable lines that are attached to the outside of the building just out the window. My greatest concern while I was haning the washing out, is if I drop something, I have to go down three flights of stairs to retrieve it. And I did have to retrieve an item, but that was because the wind had blown it of and that was yesterday. So next thing I hear from Bob is " I don't know why you let me do things around here", as he retreats from the window. I asked what happened, and agian he replies with the same statement. Of which I gather HE has dropped something of the line. And yes he did. But he was more trickier than me. He managed to drop a sock from our line onto the line below us. I erupt into fits of laughter, as I am so pleased it was not me that achieved this feat. Now, to get this one sock is not as simple as it might seem, as the distance between the window ledge and the line below is well out of arms reach, and even out of reach with a broom. Looks like one sock gets to have a permanent vacation here. At least we know where it is lol. But Bob being his usual self, comes up with something to knock the sock of the line, an electrical extension cord tied to the broom handle. Now this is long enough for Bob to reach the sock, but to knock it down is another matter. He tries a few times, but the sock is stubbon, and Bob retires from this battle for the night, as each time he tries to get the sock, he taps on the window below. After this, we continue to pack up as much as we can tonight, so there is less to do in the morning.
We have had a very interesting and entertaining day.
Tuesday, 24th September 2019
Today, I have woken feeling not to good. Not sure if it is as a result from the treatment yesterady or whether it was something I ate last night that didn't agree with me. So Bob has to do most of the carting of bags and things down the stairs to the car and pack it all. He makes me rest while he does this, and for once I do as I am told for awhile. After some time, I go to the window where the lone sock was, and Bob must have retrieved it this morning, he said he got it first time this morning when he tried, without hitting the window below.
We leave Estoril this morning for Portimo, a distance of about 300kms, but we are going to get of the freeway today and travel along the less travelled road. Bob has to do all the driving today, as i am just not up to it. We usually share the driving on journeys like this, but not this day.
We stop for some fuel for the car and a late breakfast for us, but I am unable to eat what I have selected, so take it with us for maybe later on. We continue onwards, and our next stop is road side fruit and vege stand. They have pumpkins here. We have not seen pumpkins since we left Australia, although they don't look anything like what we are used to, and after some language translations, we decide to get a half one, and some grapes, and a huge watermelon, and something like a honeydew melon, all for the princely sum of 7euro. Bragin. Again, we venture onwards, and our next stop is a road side bar/Resturant, and as we walk in, the place is very very busy. There are no spare tables or those that are empty, still have dishes on them. We use the facilities, and Bob enquires about eating, and it turns out there is a Resturant on the other side of the Bar. We go through and this place is also very busy, but there are a couple of empty tables. We take a table, and wait for the menu to be given to us. The guy comes over to us and tell us there are only three things on menu, Fish with rice, Pork with rice, and chicken and Rice. Hmmmm keeping it simple, so Bob decides on the pork, and I am still not up to eating. When Bobs meal arrives, he comments that the pork is very very good. Probably the best pork he has eaten in a long time. It is very tender and just falls apart.
So once again on the road, our next stop is Portimao. We message our next host to tell him we are down at the water front, and he replies saying that he is there waiting for us. So we set the gps for the address, and arrive to see a man standing outside, guess this is our host. It is, he shows us where to park the car, underneath the building, as this next place is a highrise unit. We go up to our unit, which is on the eight floor, and get shown around the unit. It is very nice, with a balcony with table and chairs.
I am still not up to eating very much, so it is a light dinner and leftovers for Bob.
We are here for the next 6 days, and I am told that on Thursday, we are going boating. Sounds like a great plan to me.
Wednesday, 25th September 2019
Today is a rest day, as I am still not 100%, but am much better than yesterday, and it is a good day for Bob to rest after our tripping yesterday. We do go out around 6ish to find the beach and see what is in our immediate area. We find some spectatular coast line, with huge sand stone cliffs, and rocks in and around the water. We walk along the beach, marvelling at how nature works away at the land and forms these amazing sturctures. Lots of places for people to laze and soak up the sun, and a few lovely sandy beaches for folks to swim in. I dip my feet in the water as we walk along, and the water does seem to be a bit chilly, so don't think I will be going in anytime soon, and besides, I don't have the appropiate swim wear. We take a few pics of the coast line, and the land formations, and enjoying all that we see.
We head back to our unit, and again I am not up to eating anything much for dinner tonight, so we call into the Spar convenience store for Bob to select on something for himself, and head back to our unit.
Thursday, 26th September 2019
Thankfully I am back to normal, which is a good thing as we are a little excited about our boating tour today. We are going out to look at the sea caves that are around the area. But first it has been decided that I need to get something suitable for swimming. This is going to be difficult, given that it is coming into the winter season here, and everything is for the winter. But alas with some hunting we find some new foot wear. and some shorts and a tee shirt that might do the trick. But I am a bit reluctant to do the swimming thing, as I don't have proper swim gear, but you have to make do what what you have available to you. So off we set to find the place where the tour boat leaves from, and manage to get a park fairly easily, and head over to where there is a group of people standing around. There are 5 or 6 boats being loaded with people, and we enquire as to which one we have to board, and are shown the one that is ours.
The boat is full, and we manage to find a couple of seats at the back of the boat. We are all given life jackets and put them on. Then after about 15 mins of waiting, we head off out on our tour. We pass the marina with lots of nice looking boats, and further out, we look at the houses on the waterfront, they look wonderful.
Our tour boat hugs the coast line, slowing down at various points to show the sand stone cliffs and some small caves and where the is huge formations standing alone in the water, that would have been at one time attached to the mainland. There is an array of various boats and jet boats buzzing about, stopping at the must see points. Abit furter on, we start to see bigger sea caves, and some of the smaller boats are able to go inside these caverns. It is truely amazing to see how mother nature and the ocean have carved out these areas, and the beaches that have formed as a result of thousands of years constant erosion. Further on we go, and the caves get bigger, and our boat is able to go inside a couple of the caves. There are some caves that have a hole in the roof, so it is like an amphitheatre, with a beach for the floor. There are a few people here, and they have kayaked to this beach, and why would'nt they. It would be awesome to be inside there, taking it all in. The water colour is almost a turquoise green, and is so inviting to swim in. But this is not the spot that our boat has designated for the swimming area. We go on a bit further and see more caves, then we turn and head back to where we have come from. After some time, the boat stops, and this is where we are able to swim for those who wish to. Bob and I decided not to swim, and not to many other people did either. About 6 did go in, but they were not in the water for very long, as I am guessing that the water was a tad chilly. But at least they can say that swam there in the Atlantic ocean off Portugal.
Once back onland we head back to the shopping center to get some lunch before heading back to our unit, plus we also have to get some groceries for the next few days.
It has been a great day, with many photos taken to look back on.
Friday, 27th September 2019
After a quiet morning, we do some research to find out where the Hop on Hop off bus stops are that are near to us, and decide to go into the main part of town to catch the Hop on Hop off bus. Once there, we head to the office of tourism, and ask where abouts the stop is, and we are directed to where it is, and just as we turn to go the man asks us if we want to try some cake that he has there, and we take a peice not knowing what is it, but it would be rude not to. I think it is a local food, and it is very nice, although probably not on the diet. So make haste for the place we need to be to catch the bus, and we see the bus leaving the said bus stop, but this is ok, at least we know where to go, and this gives us time to have a coffee, since we have already had the cake, and besides it is only half an hour wait. After our coffee, we head over to the bus stop and wait for the bus, and it comes right on time. There are a few others getting on aswell, but the bus is no where full, and there are lots of seats upstairs and the weather is perfect for the open topped bus. I also have my akubra today, so I won't get burnt.
We watch the city of Portimao pass by us with the audio telling up all about it, but the audio is difficult to hear above the buses engine, as there are no headpeices to listen to, it is just played through speakers on the bus. As we pass by and look wetake note of the stops because we will go on the bus again tomorrow to go to the things that have interested us today.
Saturday, 28th September 2019
Today we get on the Hop on Hop off bus again after we park the car and fill in a bit of time till the bus arrives. There seems to be some sort of event happening in the area as there are a lot of Jet Skies about. The bus arrives, and isn't very full, so we go upstairs. Our first stop for us to get of is an area that is an old fishing village, and we take a walk around the area, and admire the views. Boats on water, people walking around and seagulls circling , ever hopeful for a small morsal of something. We watch a man gutting a fish, and then another man setting up the outside griller getting it ready for the days partorns. After a while we have a bit to eat, then continue walking around the fishing huts where men are talking and doing what they do with fishing nets and lines and ropes. We then wait for the bus to arrive and go to our next stop of our choice. This one is for the shoppers. As there is market type stalls, but not are all open, but it is interesting looking, and I buy a dress. I don't think I have I bought as much clothing as I have since being away. At some point in time, before we head back home, there will have to be some discarding of items. I cringe at this thought, but I do have some things that I know I will leave behind. We look at all the Cork products that are for sale, and wonder at the authencity of them, s there are some many venders selling the products.
We decide to walk to the next bus stop, rather and wait at the one closest to us. We wander down the street, peering in at some of the shops. I find a shop that sells only cork things, and there was a wonderful array of items. Shoes, handbags, purses, wallets, hats, caps, artwork on the park of the cork. I would have bought a couple of things, but one has to have some self control, and besides, it is just another thing to cart around with us. We get to the next bus stop, but not before stopping and looking are the wonderful coastline that is here. Once onboard the bus again, we continue on the bus until we get back to where we started from.
Bob is a little unwell today, so we go back to the unit for some rest and hopefully some recouperation.
Sunday, 29th September 2019
A quiet day in today. Bob is unwell still.
We do ventrue out in the evening to Lagos, and have a bit of a look about this area. We arrive at the tail end of a market, as stall holders are closing and putting away their goods. But what we do see again is lots of Cork things. We walk along the Marina side walk, and then turn back to find something to have for dinner. We eventually settle for a chicken and rice dish, which we share, and I have dessert.
We start to gather up things again, as we have come to the end of our stay here in Portimao. It has been absolutely wonderful.
Once back at our unit, a rest is required, and that is what is done. We have to start to think about gathering our things up, as we are on the move again tomorrow. There are a few things on the clothes line, and Bob asks if there was anything he could do, and I mention to him that there are some things on the line that he could get of, if he wanted to. Now, let me explain about the clothes line. As we are on the third floor, the clothes line is one of those expandable lines that are attached to the outside of the building just out the window. My greatest concern while I was haning the washing out, is if I drop something, I have to go down three flights of stairs to retrieve it. And I did have to retrieve an item, but that was because the wind had blown it of and that was yesterday. So next thing I hear from Bob is " I don't know why you let me do things around here", as he retreats from the window. I asked what happened, and agian he replies with the same statement. Of which I gather HE has dropped something of the line. And yes he did. But he was more trickier than me. He managed to drop a sock from our line onto the line below us. I erupt into fits of laughter, as I am so pleased it was not me that achieved this feat. Now, to get this one sock is not as simple as it might seem, as the distance between the window ledge and the line below is well out of arms reach, and even out of reach with a broom. Looks like one sock gets to have a permanent vacation here. At least we know where it is lol. But Bob being his usual self, comes up with something to knock the sock of the line, an electrical extension cord tied to the broom handle. Now this is long enough for Bob to reach the sock, but to knock it down is another matter. He tries a few times, but the sock is stubbon, and Bob retires from this battle for the night, as each time he tries to get the sock, he taps on the window below. After this, we continue to pack up as much as we can tonight, so there is less to do in the morning.
We have had a very interesting and entertaining day.
Tuesday, 24th September 2019
Today, I have woken feeling not to good. Not sure if it is as a result from the treatment yesterady or whether it was something I ate last night that didn't agree with me. So Bob has to do most of the carting of bags and things down the stairs to the car and pack it all. He makes me rest while he does this, and for once I do as I am told for awhile. After some time, I go to the window where the lone sock was, and Bob must have retrieved it this morning, he said he got it first time this morning when he tried, without hitting the window below.
We leave Estoril this morning for Portimo, a distance of about 300kms, but we are going to get of the freeway today and travel along the less travelled road. Bob has to do all the driving today, as i am just not up to it. We usually share the driving on journeys like this, but not this day.
We stop for some fuel for the car and a late breakfast for us, but I am unable to eat what I have selected, so take it with us for maybe later on. We continue onwards, and our next stop is road side fruit and vege stand. They have pumpkins here. We have not seen pumpkins since we left Australia, although they don't look anything like what we are used to, and after some language translations, we decide to get a half one, and some grapes, and a huge watermelon, and something like a honeydew melon, all for the princely sum of 7euro. Bragin. Again, we venture onwards, and our next stop is a road side bar/Resturant, and as we walk in, the place is very very busy. There are no spare tables or those that are empty, still have dishes on them. We use the facilities, and Bob enquires about eating, and it turns out there is a Resturant on the other side of the Bar. We go through and this place is also very busy, but there are a couple of empty tables. We take a table, and wait for the menu to be given to us. The guy comes over to us and tell us there are only three things on menu, Fish with rice, Pork with rice, and chicken and Rice. Hmmmm keeping it simple, so Bob decides on the pork, and I am still not up to eating. When Bobs meal arrives, he comments that the pork is very very good. Probably the best pork he has eaten in a long time. It is very tender and just falls apart.
So once again on the road, our next stop is Portimao. We message our next host to tell him we are down at the water front, and he replies saying that he is there waiting for us. So we set the gps for the address, and arrive to see a man standing outside, guess this is our host. It is, he shows us where to park the car, underneath the building, as this next place is a highrise unit. We go up to our unit, which is on the eight floor, and get shown around the unit. It is very nice, with a balcony with table and chairs.
I am still not up to eating very much, so it is a light dinner and leftovers for Bob.
We are here for the next 6 days, and I am told that on Thursday, we are going boating. Sounds like a great plan to me.
Wednesday, 25th September 2019
Today is a rest day, as I am still not 100%, but am much better than yesterday, and it is a good day for Bob to rest after our tripping yesterday. We do go out around 6ish to find the beach and see what is in our immediate area. We find some spectatular coast line, with huge sand stone cliffs, and rocks in and around the water. We walk along the beach, marvelling at how nature works away at the land and forms these amazing sturctures. Lots of places for people to laze and soak up the sun, and a few lovely sandy beaches for folks to swim in. I dip my feet in the water as we walk along, and the water does seem to be a bit chilly, so don't think I will be going in anytime soon, and besides, I don't have the appropiate swim wear. We take a few pics of the coast line, and the land formations, and enjoying all that we see.
We head back to our unit, and again I am not up to eating anything much for dinner tonight, so we call into the Spar convenience store for Bob to select on something for himself, and head back to our unit.
Thursday, 26th September 2019
Thankfully I am back to normal, which is a good thing as we are a little excited about our boating tour today. We are going out to look at the sea caves that are around the area. But first it has been decided that I need to get something suitable for swimming. This is going to be difficult, given that it is coming into the winter season here, and everything is for the winter. But alas with some hunting we find some new foot wear. and some shorts and a tee shirt that might do the trick. But I am a bit reluctant to do the swimming thing, as I don't have proper swim gear, but you have to make do what what you have available to you. So off we set to find the place where the tour boat leaves from, and manage to get a park fairly easily, and head over to where there is a group of people standing around. There are 5 or 6 boats being loaded with people, and we enquire as to which one we have to board, and are shown the one that is ours.
The boat is full, and we manage to find a couple of seats at the back of the boat. We are all given life jackets and put them on. Then after about 15 mins of waiting, we head off out on our tour. We pass the marina with lots of nice looking boats, and further out, we look at the houses on the waterfront, they look wonderful.
Our tour boat hugs the coast line, slowing down at various points to show the sand stone cliffs and some small caves and where the is huge formations standing alone in the water, that would have been at one time attached to the mainland. There is an array of various boats and jet boats buzzing about, stopping at the must see points. Abit furter on, we start to see bigger sea caves, and some of the smaller boats are able to go inside these caverns. It is truely amazing to see how mother nature and the ocean have carved out these areas, and the beaches that have formed as a result of thousands of years constant erosion. Further on we go, and the caves get bigger, and our boat is able to go inside a couple of the caves. There are some caves that have a hole in the roof, so it is like an amphitheatre, with a beach for the floor. There are a few people here, and they have kayaked to this beach, and why would'nt they. It would be awesome to be inside there, taking it all in. The water colour is almost a turquoise green, and is so inviting to swim in. But this is not the spot that our boat has designated for the swimming area. We go on a bit further and see more caves, then we turn and head back to where we have come from. After some time, the boat stops, and this is where we are able to swim for those who wish to. Bob and I decided not to swim, and not to many other people did either. About 6 did go in, but they were not in the water for very long, as I am guessing that the water was a tad chilly. But at least they can say that swam there in the Atlantic ocean off Portugal.
Once back onland we head back to the shopping center to get some lunch before heading back to our unit, plus we also have to get some groceries for the next few days.
It has been a great day, with many photos taken to look back on.
Friday, 27th September 2019
After a quiet morning, we do some research to find out where the Hop on Hop off bus stops are that are near to us, and decide to go into the main part of town to catch the Hop on Hop off bus. Once there, we head to the office of tourism, and ask where abouts the stop is, and we are directed to where it is, and just as we turn to go the man asks us if we want to try some cake that he has there, and we take a peice not knowing what is it, but it would be rude not to. I think it is a local food, and it is very nice, although probably not on the diet. So make haste for the place we need to be to catch the bus, and we see the bus leaving the said bus stop, but this is ok, at least we know where to go, and this gives us time to have a coffee, since we have already had the cake, and besides it is only half an hour wait. After our coffee, we head over to the bus stop and wait for the bus, and it comes right on time. There are a few others getting on aswell, but the bus is no where full, and there are lots of seats upstairs and the weather is perfect for the open topped bus. I also have my akubra today, so I won't get burnt.
We watch the city of Portimao pass by us with the audio telling up all about it, but the audio is difficult to hear above the buses engine, as there are no headpeices to listen to, it is just played through speakers on the bus. As we pass by and look wetake note of the stops because we will go on the bus again tomorrow to go to the things that have interested us today.
Saturday, 28th September 2019
Today we get on the Hop on Hop off bus again after we park the car and fill in a bit of time till the bus arrives. There seems to be some sort of event happening in the area as there are a lot of Jet Skies about. The bus arrives, and isn't very full, so we go upstairs. Our first stop for us to get of is an area that is an old fishing village, and we take a walk around the area, and admire the views. Boats on water, people walking around and seagulls circling , ever hopeful for a small morsal of something. We watch a man gutting a fish, and then another man setting up the outside griller getting it ready for the days partorns. After a while we have a bit to eat, then continue walking around the fishing huts where men are talking and doing what they do with fishing nets and lines and ropes. We then wait for the bus to arrive and go to our next stop of our choice. This one is for the shoppers. As there is market type stalls, but not are all open, but it is interesting looking, and I buy a dress. I don't think I have I bought as much clothing as I have since being away. At some point in time, before we head back home, there will have to be some discarding of items. I cringe at this thought, but I do have some things that I know I will leave behind. We look at all the Cork products that are for sale, and wonder at the authencity of them, s there are some many venders selling the products.
We decide to walk to the next bus stop, rather and wait at the one closest to us. We wander down the street, peering in at some of the shops. I find a shop that sells only cork things, and there was a wonderful array of items. Shoes, handbags, purses, wallets, hats, caps, artwork on the park of the cork. I would have bought a couple of things, but one has to have some self control, and besides, it is just another thing to cart around with us. We get to the next bus stop, but not before stopping and looking are the wonderful coastline that is here. Once onboard the bus again, we continue on the bus until we get back to where we started from.
Bob is a little unwell today, so we go back to the unit for some rest and hopefully some recouperation.
Sunday, 29th September 2019
A quiet day in today. Bob is unwell still.
We do ventrue out in the evening to Lagos, and have a bit of a look about this area. We arrive at the tail end of a market, as stall holders are closing and putting away their goods. But what we do see again is lots of Cork things. We walk along the Marina side walk, and then turn back to find something to have for dinner. We eventually settle for a chicken and rice dish, which we share, and I have dessert.
We start to gather up things again, as we have come to the end of our stay here in Portimao. It has been absolutely wonderful.
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