Rainy day

 Another dark and dingy day dawned, the noise of the cars heading up to the golf courses, splashing through puddles, brought me awake. I turned over and went back to sleep, not something that I normally do.

By 10am I was up and dressed and off out to go to the marina, however the hotel shuttle bus had broken down and I really didn't fancy that walk in the rain, I went back to the apartment, got changed and went swimming instead.

At 2pm I decided to go the Graces restaurant and have Sunday lunch, I very rarely have this at home so it was in some way a treat.

I decided to take a very long walk round to get there sand arrived at 3pm, not before passing some apartments which I felt were a little bit of Florida in Portugal.

Victor the Maitre'd was  as lovely as always and I was given a table by the window, a good view of the disappearing rain and incoming blue sky.

I am also not one who heads to 'English' pubs etc on holiday, however this restaurant serves a selection of English , Portuguese and fast food dishes, all well presented and very tasty. As I have previously said it is not a 'pub/bar' and so no one is lingering around drinking excessively, 

I had Sunday roast / Christmas dinner ( turkey) and it was just perfect, the cauliflower cheese was to die for and very much enjoyed.

I also had a 'Bee Happy' cocktail which was there own take on a Bees Knees and was very good.

I then was allowed to have another cocktail ( and a glass of vinho verde) on the terrace ( with my own heater) and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

I had planned to do a lot more today, but it is winter and it was Sunday and everything slowed right down.

The one thing that I have noticed up her by the golf, is that there are no church bells, something that I found very strange.

There ae lots of oranges and lemons!

I am still trying to catch the the 'blue bird ' on camera, I have googled it and it could be a Blue jay or it could be an azure winged magpie. to be honest it may not be either and I may never know as they are quick as a flash when the camera comes out.

After  a quick chat with Karl and Karen, I headed back to the apartment and started to pack my case, yes the holiday is nearly over so I made the most of a cold dark evening getting myself sorted,

Today I am hoping to get to the the marina, and as it is not raining, it is probably going to be on foot, I am finally off to the museum.