Enjoying the Festival

Arrived last tuesday to find the village a little quieter than last year but by weekend all that had changed, the place was packed.
A coulpe of new places have opened. The new restaurant on the promenade has opened and is a little upmarket, aiming for the tourist trade. It is called O Marinheiro and I have not eaten there yet but hope to give it a try before I return to England.
Just round the corner from Lorgo De Igreija (The church square) a little cafe bar called Arco Iris (Rainbow) has opened. Joan and I were among it,s very first customers and we had the honour of christening the ice creams.
The festival was free this year so I watched the Fado evening and very much enjoyed it. It was not quite what I expected as I thought Fado was slow and mournful but it was quite catchy really.
On Sunday an artist called Andre Sardet performed, it was very well attended as he is quite popular here in Portugal, he was very good ( A bit of a Portuguese Robbie Williams).
The festival ended with a spectacular and noisy firework display. I have to wonder what the reaction to a firework display at 2 in the morning would be in the UK.
As part of the festival on saturday afternoon there was supposed to be mud football on the river but it was delayed as the tide was still in. You would think in a village of fishermen someone would have checked the tide tables before printing the programme!! Still this is Portugal.
No one has setttled the dispute over the ferries yet so they are not running but the water taxis have stepped in to fill the gap in the market. It costs the same as the ferry did but runs far more frequently and is faster. Hope to go over to the Isle De Tavira later in the week as I have never been in all the years I have been visiting.

Preparing for our visit

Lots to do today.......late shopping, get rooms ready for guests make an emergency list for the relief and of course pack a little bag. We have most things we need over at the house so no need for hulking great suitcases, we could literally pick up passports and money and set of as we are.

A few essentials however will go in a bag, a catering pack of English bacon (well Danish really but you know what I mean), a copious supply of Tetley teabags, a tube of english mustard and the latest Harry Potter take up most of the space available.

Already pondering where to eat lunch tomorrow. Casa do Polvo and restaurant O Moroua are the 2 prime contenders. Casa do Polvo (House of octopus) is a small new place which has been open for less than 12 months but is already very well established, it is ideal for a light lunch serving mainly sea food with octopus making up much of the menu. The Gambas de casa (large prawns in sizzling garlic laced olive oil) are a particular favourite and along with a large tuna salad and a bottle of the crisp house white will set you back about 25 euro. situated on the promenade just across from the ferry landing it is a great place to sit and watch the world go by.

Moroua is a typical portuguese eating house where a freshly caught sea bass or bream will cost you no more than 10 euros ( and thats the dearest thing on the menu). Many locals use the place at lunch time as the Prato Do Dia provides a substantial meal at a price even the most poorly paid can afford. Just 7 euros sees your table festooned with appetiser, fresh portuguese bread and sardine paste and a bowl of tangy olives, a substantial helping of the dish of the day along with wine or beer, a home made dessert or piece of fresh fruit and to finish it all off a delicious pot of coffee. Order an extra beer or bottle of wine and thats included too........magic.

As I write this now I think Morauo just won my vote.