Welcom to Portugal Barbara.

"Shhhh! No don't lower the blind, just lie still n they'll go soon." Says I to a not suprisingly, nervous and worried Barbara.

The pick up at the airport had gone smoothly apart from Barbara's bag being on the wrong plane and going to arrive 12 hrs later courtesy of super efficient (not) British Airways. Sorting that out had taken some time so we arrived at the local Faro Beach car park, our overnight spot, later than expected. No problem. Barbara was delighted and we were both pleased to see each other and share some lovely fruity sweet curry and rice.

Timing is all important in life. Youngsters with boom box rev me up cars arriving to do wheelies on this, an empty sand covered and therefore skid heaven car park, just as we were settling down for the night was timing to perfection. Poor Barbara wondered what on earth she had let herself into. She, bravely and with considerable doubt trusted me as I quietly listened and figured out it was not a crowd but just two cars with a couple of youngsters out for a bit of fun. Thankfully my prognosis of the situation soon proved correct as two rev me up cars disappeared into the dark night leaving us with only some 'end of storm' breakers hurling themselves against the sea wall in front of us. A re-assuring and continuous sound which quickly lured us into a deep sleep till the morning light and Tanya's flapping ears awakened us.

Portugal still and in particular at my favourite wild spot here opposite the small village of 'Ferragudo', just over the river from the high rise holiday complex skyline of 'Portimao'. The river estuary is a busy waterway with lovely sandy beaches one of which is right outside Sadies door. The mooring buoys scattered around the estuary have beautiful big fresh mussels clumped together and tightly clinging to their underwater anchor ropes. Last year I swam out and collected some and fair exhausted myself what with the tugging at these underwater mollusces and swimming against the tide. What a difference this year. Blow up Kayak became my fishing boat and it was not long before Barbara and I were feasting on a lunch of very fresh mussels enhanced, I have to say, by Barbaras delicious tomato onion and garlic sauce. Yummy yum yum!

"My bike. I can't believe it!" 

The look of pleasured amazement on Barbara's face as she gingerly handled this brand new and rather smart ladies bike was, for me, re-payment with generous interest on this 'damm good value for money' bicycle. We were soon embarked upon our first joint cycling trip over the river to 'Portimao' and the beach beyond. A nice easy flat ride. Apart that is from the exposed walk/cycleway which was a bolted on extra to the long steel road bridge spanning the river. This was of course no problem for roughy toughy Steve and his Tanya filled green bucket bike. For Barbara though, embarked as she was on her first bicycle excursion for many years, this very long, narrow and rattley steel floored passageway came under the OMG terrifying label. The open sides showing the swirling waters beneath did nothing to ease her terror. She did great though. With gritted teeth and eyes fixed firmly ahead she kept pedalling and with a "Phew" type exclamation arrived safely alongside me. 

"Now you've done it once the return journey won't be so bad." I said to her. I did'nt get a verbal reply, just a look, a look which said it all!

All was forgiven and we are now, a few days later by the way, in a pavement cafe in 'Lagos, listening to Sweet Alabama from two excellent street buskers. Heaven.