Day 8, Alvor Portugal, May 15, 2025

The weather has been fabulous, mid teens in the morning to 20/21 later in the day. We have been starting each day by walking for one to two hours along the boardwalk, which is what we did today. No walking on the beach while my foot is healing. It took us to the old town and it’s side streets, but just as we were nearing town, Jill jumped out of her skin. A Western Montpellier snake was stretched across our path. Jill doesn’t like snakes, especially long fat ones. It is the largest in the region and not poisonous, which doesn’t matter to Jill. It quickly slid off the boardwalk into the grasses. 

We decided to have pork burgers at home on those lovely soft Portuguese buns with Dijon mustard, mayo, cheese and lettuce. We love the store brand Dijon, a third of the price of  Maille French Dijon. It has a very nice heat to it. I bought one to take back with us in the hope that I can get it past screening since it is 200 grams and we are travelling with carryon. 

We packed up to go to the pool for some sun. I had my first swim. It was cool, almost numbing, but lovely once in. I was able to float so it must be salt water, no smell of chlorine. After warming up, I asked Jill if she was ready for a rematch - I was down 3 to 1. We ordered a half litre of sangria, we had to choose between white, pink, or red and we went with pink. It was delicious, filled with fresh berries, sweet cherries, sour cranberries, blueberries, mint and a cinnamon stick - yum. Jill was off her game and we are now tied at three matches a piece. Each match is best out of three. 

While we were playing, an Australian shepherd belonging to the mini-mart owner was inviting people to throw or kick the tennis ball to her. After playing pool, I went over and played with her for a while, definitely a high energy dog. She was catching everything but I tired her out. 

Back home we made some snacks and decided to forgo dinner. We could hear a duo playing relaxing music at the corner bar so we took a stroll to check them out. They come loaded with gear on a motorbike and we hear them playing here every day at lunch and dinner time. Beautiful music. The guy played a Quebec made Godin nylon string guitar. Lovely. Tomorrow we are taking the bus to Lagos, which is up and over the estuary. Minutes as the crow flies but a half hour bus ride.

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