Day: February 7, 2023

I can hear the waves much stronger this morning, even though there’s a block of trees between me and the water. I noticed it louder in the early evening last night and then checking on Toronto news I noticed that there was an earthquake in Buffalo area, just a mild one, and there was apparently a major one in Syria and Turkey. I was telling Luís about it and he said that that’s why the waves were louder here. I don’t know that that’s true but there’s certainly a noticeable difference today with the strength and sound. The sky is overcast almost misty, like a fog not seeing any sun but it’s early yet. The weather app shows sun all day and only up to 16° with a mild weather warning. I’ll just make my tea and sit here and do some work.
An hour has passed, and the sun has broken through as bright as ever but it’s only 8° so far. I’m not ready to open the doors yet. I’m looking forward to seeing the cat again.
My plan is to maybe get up to the small fishing area today. It’s about 2 km up the road I think. I’ve been intending to do that the last couple of days but I keep getting distracted by little side paths.

Today I walked north along the Rota Vincentina. Not far north,there was another pathway going in to the coast & within a minute I got a whole different cliff view. I must admit heights make me a little nervous. It is absolutely exquisite this view. I didn’t think it could get better, but I’m feeling so close to the edge it makes me nervous.

At home I don’t eat breakfast other than on Saturday and I rarely do eat more than twice in a day. I feel better that way. I had decided it was better to have one good meal a day and enjoy the food while here. I am trying to keep to a budget but I also want to enjoy the Portuguese cuisine!

Today I had Octopus stew with sweet potatoes. I never would have thought of that combination. And of course a beer. It was absolutely delicious. The restaurant, O Sacas, is down at the Fishermans’ wharf, which is about 2 to 3 km north of where I’m staying. Fabulous experience! I didn’t know people eat barnacles. Really!!!

After my belly was full, I went down to see the fishing boats. Some were still out on the water working away. The fisherman leave at 6:30 in the morning. Maybe when I get a car in March I’ll go and photograph them leaving.

The walk home was slow. My legs were stiffening up. I am so out of shape. At least now that I have been here 6 days I am improving. I am a good example of someone who let my good physical condition slide downhill in the last couple of years. And after my dog , Finn died in late April last year I didn’t have a dog that needed to be walked. Use it or lose it is true!

Back home again I had no intention of going back into town. Get the fire started and keep warm for the night!

After the usual morning routine of getting up, you know tea and things like that, I sat down at the computer to check art supply places. I need some better watercolours to work with and bigger paper. I found an art supply in Lisbon that ships, but when trying to get an account, I don’t have a VAT code and they won’t accept my account without it. I have to go down to the tourist place in town and see how to get one. While at the computer and all of a sudden I hear a meow and the black cat jumped into my lap, so sweet talking away to me while I’m trying to type away on the computer. What a little darling he is, as he tucks his head into the crook of my elbow making himself at home.

When the tide comes in the sea it is so powerful it’s almost frightening when you’re close to it. Apparently the currents are really strong and there’s warnings everywhere about that. It is so beautiful. I’ve always been drawn to the sea. I don’t know what it is. My first experience was, other than crossing the Irish sea once, or twice a year as a kid, to go to visit my grandparents with my parents, when we took a trip to Barmouth beach in Wales, and I remember, being fascinated by the waves in the size of them. It took my father 8 hours to drive us there and I recall our excitement when we arrived. We were all clapping and shouting. All six of us in our Austin A30! I was 5 or 6 at the time.

In the evening I can hear the waves much stronger now than before. I suppose that ‘s why this area attracts the surfers so much. The waves are enormous at times. In August the population of the town swells in numbers with a massive music fest, the Festival Sudoeste. Other months it’s the surfers here. For me, I’ve come in the ideal time, the low months where the town is just a sleepy little fishing village.