Jeep (Land Rover) Excursion

We were supposed to do this excursion last Thursday but the weather was so bad it was cancelled.  Yesterday proved to be a very good day for it although it was a little cold.  Lois decided to cancel going as her shingles were bothering her and she knew the rough ride wouldn’t be very comfortable for her.  Another woman took her place.

We travelled on very rough trails up in the most hilly part of the Algarve and saw scenery we wouldn’t have seen otherwise including farm country and hunting areas where they hunt wild boars. 

Farm in the Algarve

 The most interesting part of the trip for me was stopping at a place where the harvested cork is kept until the market price is right and then it is sold.  Cork is sold as a commodity. 

Cork Ready for Market

Cork Ready for Market

 We also stopped at a small distillery where they make a drink from a berry found only in the Algarve.  They also produce honey so that process was explained.

We worked our way back from there along another series of rough trails.  All in all we agreed this excursion was good value for the money spent.

Across a Creek

I won’t do another blog entry for a few days as tomorrow we are doing the 3 day excursion to Seville, Tangiers and Gibraltar.  Although the weather forecast is still cool, there is not too much rain forecast.

Moving Day

On Sunday we moved to a larger unit.  Thelma arranged it for us and it is much better.  The other unit was adequate but this one is more suitable for 2 couples – there is more space.  There are now 4 places in the living area where we can sit comfortably.  It wasn’t too difficult to move and we were resettled by shortly after noon. 

Jardim du Vau

Today was nice enough that Lois and I were able to get down and walk on the beach, even if it isn’t very warm.

Jardim du Vau - highest white building - our unit at top right end

Surf at Jardim du Vau

Beach at Jardim du Vau

Lois Walking on the Beach

 

 

 

 

 

This facility is very nice although our unit is a little confining for 4 people.  It would be better suited to a couple with 2 small children.  We are moving to a larger 2 bedroom unit tomorrow.

This is the off-season here so the place is not very full.   There are lots of good places to eat in close proximity so as a result we mainly get our breakfast and then eat out.

Cork

A leading export for Portugal is cork.  We have seen cork trees everywhere.  It takes about 25 years for them to be mature enough to harvest the bark and then it can only be harvested every 9 years.  So they know when a tree was last harvested, the number of the year is carved into the tree and then the bark is not taken for another 9 years.

Cork Tree - Bark Last Harvested in 2008

There are many cork products in the shops and even some specialty cork stores.  They make everything imaginable out of cork – umbrellas, ties, clothing, purses, shoes – the list goes on.  To be able to make these items, thin layers of cork are laminated to leather and probably other materials and then things can be cut out as you would with fabric.

Driving to Smaller Communities (or Caught in Funeral Procession)

The Algarve is really quite compact and nothing is very far away.  The last few days we have driven to communities others have recommended.

On Thursday we went to Silves where the castle dates from Roman times, it was then used by the Moors and then the Christians.  It is a very interesting town.  

Silves with Castle at Top of Hill

Yesterday we went to Alte, said to be one of the prettiest villages in the Algarve.  It poured rain so we really didn’t see how pretty it was.  As we entered town, between the cemetery and the church, we encountered a funeral procession.  The priest was leading 3 hearse type cars with glass sides.  The casket was in the first car covered with flowers and the following 2 cars were full of flowers.  Everyone walked behind the cars carrying umbrellas.  We basically pulled off a bit to the side until everyone got by us.  It was one way to put in some time while we waited for the rain to let up before we had lunch!

Today we went to Lagos, not far from here and had lunch.  The Algarve is noted for it’s sardines and I wanted to have them – they were on the menu.  Although they are not in season, some places have them available frozen.  There were 5, about 6 inches long, inches long – much larger than what we get in a can.  I found them delicious but the others thought them  somewhat gross.

Three Retirees Walking in Lagos

When driving in these towns we encountered many very narrow cobblestoned streets but we have managed to navigate them so far.

Narrow Street in Alte