Tuesday

Panic over the storm has passed. Our friend Judy is joining us on the trip. Judy worked as one of our very first barmaids at the Adam and Eve in the early 1970’s so we have much history. I ring Judy early to discuss transport but she has already rung to check the trains and they are all running on time with no delays or changes in routes. We decide to meet at the original time, albeit a tad early but we all wish to arrive at Stansted in good time to chill, shop and maybe a bevy or two. The train from Norwich to Stanstead was uneventful . We arrive at Stanstead and find we are far too early to check in as the gates are not open. It is eerily quiet at Stanstead. A coffee and bite to eat and Costa , the time soon goes and Roger finds we can check in. This all goes far too easily and we are through fast track in double time but so sad to find the champagne bar closed down. No problem Judy leads us to Weatherspoons which is packed so we try the upper level which is much less crowded and feel safer. Four double gins plus one single later, Roger is on beer, we realise we have a bit of a way to our gate. Judy leads the way and sprints like a racing chicken with me hopping behind to our gate for our flight. Its a full flight the only one of the day to Faro. It’s on time , we board our 737-800, good seats all together fairly near the front. Most of the passengers in front and beside us are off duty crew returning home exhausted from previous extended flights due to the storms. Judy and I have isle seats and chat about life, family & many friends that have gone before their time. The bar trolly comes around and we order g n ts and crap Pringles and kitkats as we are peckish from the previous gin and not much else. Masks on throughout the aiport and flights. One guy opposite in front of me in a designer hoody and bottoms that hang down showing his boss underwear , wears his mask on his eyes as the lights are too bright. No one take any notice of the silly prat. The flight is over quickly, we land, captain tells us it’s is warm 18c, at 10pm I’ll take that for February. We leave the aircraft, pass customs, i get a telling off from the customs officer as a dared to go through European passport control queue. Roger and Judy have hand luggage but I had put a case in the hold, I have Rogers shoes and toiletries so need a larger case, so checked in a 20k case. I’m amazed that Judy has the smallest case which asctually includes her entire wardrobe for the week p,us a large hairdryer! Judy collects my case while Roger & I have a wee and we exit the airport to find Jorge our driver that DT has booked for us. Jorge turns out to be a smart young chap with a good size Mercedes people carrier. We were soon on board and on our way to prai da Luz. I text DT & Rita to tell them we are on route and they should go to bed and not wait for us. Jorge drives swiftly and we enjoy the ride. In no time we leave the motorway and are in an urbanisation. The next thing we know we arrive to be greeted by DT & Rita who are sitting outside their fabulous home with glasses of wine in hand to give us the most fabulous of welcomes. DT invites Jorge to join us for a quick snifter & before we know it Rita has fabulous cheese & meat platter on the table with warm crusty bread & olives. We sit and chat until the small hours and eventual retire at around 2 am. Our room is large and luxurious and the bed feels like velvet. My head hits the pillow and I can’t remember anything else.

Wednesday. 18c

I wake at 7am. It’s all very quiet. I wait until I hear movement and Roger wakes to fetch me a cuppa. I move to explore the ground floor where are bedrooms are, Judy is already sitting by the pool. The sun is surprisingly warm. Rita calls us as she has prepared breakfast. DT has already been to the bakery and purchased Croissant and warm bread, pastel de Nara’s those delicious Portuguese pastries. it’s all very pleasant. Later we shower & dress and DT drives us to the village. The beach is fabulous. As I remember but much more developed than in 1980 when We were here previously here with Billy Fish and our children. The sun is shining, surfers are already on the beach and many families with children as it is half term here this week. After a short walk, DT leads us to a warm sunny spot outside a bar called The Bull, we have been here before many years ago, when it was run by the Bulls a Norwich couple. We sit in the sun and put the worlds to rights. After an hour or so we walk back to the beach for lunch. David has booked a beachside restaurant called Paraiso with a view to die for. More wine and a delicious lunch, wonderful classic prawn cocktails, fish & chips, tuna, salads, & great deserts. Walk back to the car & drive back to a typically Portuguese bar on the main road close to the house. The Turnbulls are already well know already in most of these places we visited. Back at the house David lights a fire , Rita busies herself in the kitchen and we sit and chill for the rest of the day gradually getting more oiled and confessing all sorts. David retires first followed by Roger and myself . I need to write up my blog. Another wonderful sleep.