We went from Lisbon to Vilamoura in the Algarve by bus - Rede Expressos, the Portugese national bus operator.
After we settled in at our apartment, we went to hit golf balls at the driving range across the road.
We then went to the Ruby Bar in the complex we were staying in. Bill had a gin and tonic and I had a raspberry nonalcoholic drink, which was a lot of ice. I must remember to ask next time for NO ice.
The next day we played Pinhal golf course, right beside our stay. "Designed by Frank Pennink and later refined by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Pinhal is a classic parkland course known for its pine-lined fairways and strategic design. The layout blends challenging elevation changes with scenic views, offering a round that appeals to golfers who appreciate both beauty and precision. Pinhal is ideal for those looking to enjoy a relaxed pace of play while still embracing the challenge of a mature, well-maintained course."
No photos there sorry, but two days later we played the Old Course which was even better.
We played with Callum and Dominic. Callum is Dom's son-in-law, though not married so I don't know what you call that . Golf was patchy and certainly room for improvement. The course was great.
This photo was taken just before the par 3. I drove the green (160m) and made a par. No need to mention the rest of the round.
That night we went to Praia de Vilamoura (the beach near us). We wandered along the beach and all we could think of was Onetangi. This was not it for us - too many people and it seemed they all knew each other and in party mode. Bill and I don't do sunbathing either.
We did end up finding somewhere much more our style just two minutes from our apartment, a restaurant called Cafe Del Arte. We ended up going there three times in our ten days. Not too flash, nice food, and very friendly owner and staff.
The grapes above get watered every day. The waiter Miguel, from South Africa (his Mum is South African and his Dad is Portuguese he told us) told us they were having a battle with the owner next door. He has a front lawn and Cafe Del Arte want to put outside tables there. Even though his real estate business is closed and the restaurant could pay him, the building owner was a flat no.
Plants, accommodation and pool stunning where we are staying. This is a Japanese sago palm.
This is wild banana from Southeast Asia.
This is the pool I swam in every day - right outside our door.
This is looking in to our apartment (bottom floor).
Dominic from golf had two good recommendations . He suggested we go to BJ's for a meal. So we did.
Not many people here but that is because we eat earlier than the locals. It was fully booked for two days before we could get this table, and much fuller when we left.
It was very cool, and so were the wetlands right beside it.
In total we played 4 rounds of golf. You will notice I did not put in the scores, though here is one card, from our 2nd reound on the Old Course. Note Bill's score on the 18th, he played a 9 iron for his 3rd and it went in! He didn't see it and I did. You will notice my score which was so bad the match finished early. (I won all the others though, I should be showing those cards.) So I did some collaging and work on my autobiography.
I do collages in twos. One begins with the upset, and the next one is the other side of the upset. This is very good for my ADHD. I did two after the golf I was so upset! Watch this space for our next game of golf.
We have also loved watching the US Open golf, and the Super rugby. We were sorry the Blues lost.
And some work on my autobiography. To put it in the past. This is from the Wisdom course I am currently participating in. That is my Dad outside the door entrance. My Mum far right in white. I am giving my cousin a flower at the wedding?
These were two Irish golfers who were playing a week of golf. We played with them on the Old Course. They were lovely. You play with others sometimes. I cannot remember their names!
On to Carvoeiro after Vilamoura. We had 'booked' to stay with my friend Betsy who I had met through the Sisters group that I am a part of. She and her husband Alan are American, have a house in Carvoeiro and had planned to be there when we were. But their house in the US sold quicker than they thought so they didn't come to Portugal as they'd planned, but they wanted us to stay anyway, so we did!
They have a beautiful second home. We felt very privileged to be able to enjoy it and were sorry we didn't catch up with them in person. We did on Zoom. Betsy gave us all the good places to eat. We had hired a car and took the hour drive from Vilamoura to Carvoeira.
We had lunch at The Earth Cafe and went for a walk along the coast first, and then walked the other way to Carvoeira beach. Then Betsy had arranged for us to meet Dan (Betsy's stepson) to get in at 4.00pm.
The only bird we saw was the big yellow legged gull.
The longer walk. Cool glasses Bill. As you can see, he paid a lot of money for them (ie. he found them somewhere.)
Algar seco is the limestone rock type here.
From Wikipedia - "As a traditional fishing village, Carvoeiro has maintained its authenticity while adapting to the needs of the increasing number of tourists. Despite its popularity, the town remains relatively underserved by public transport, with the closest train station being Estombar-Lagoa." That is why we had a car, Bill had done his research.
Cheeky yellow legged gulls everywhere looking for food they can get.
We met up with Dan and he let us in. Betsy and Alan have a beautiful home. We felt very lucky.
That night we took up another of Betsy's recommendations and went to Vale Centianes, which is a restaurant on the beach, walking distance from their place.
Activity on the beach!
Daughter Anna had taught me a few months before to do a .5 photo on your phone. You take it of yourselves with an outstretched arm. Here is mine of us.
Then I saw two women trying to take a photo in front of us, so I taught them how to do a .5!
They were sisters on a weekend away from Lisbon. We chatted and they asked me who I thought was the older? I did not want to guess. And then I thought I would get it right. Big mistake. I was wrong.
Shamila, the younger one, was very happy about that. She is 5 years younger. (She's the one on the right, remember the name.)
They travel a lot together as one has a girl and one has a boy, of similar ages.
The next day we get up and go very early to walk from Praia da Marinha (Marinha Beach) to Benagil Beach. This is part of the Seven Hanging Valleys hike, the whole walk below.
"Stretching along the coastline of the Algarve is one of the most beautiful walks in Portugal, the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. On this hike, you will gaze across some of the most picturesque beaches in Europe, peer into Benagil Cave, and be treated to an endless number of jaw-dropping views of the Algarve."
We did a third of this trail, which took us ~3 hours walking, return.
It was breath taking, and cooler as we began at 7.ooam.
Bill spotted a snake. It crossed in front of him. I managed to get it just as it was going into the bush.
We got to the Benagil Cave top entrance. Bill would not let me go any closer. As he said "You wouldn't see this (lack of) fencing in New Zealand." Fair enough. It did look a bit unsafe. I got he was nervous about losing precious me, so I didn't go closer.
A picture from the bottom off the internet. When we got to Benagil, some girls said you could swim to the caves, though it is now banned. They said the cave was great, but not for them the extra kayaking they did, as they had done little kayaking and there was a strong wind.
Coming to Benagil beach.
We went the same way back but took only these two pictures. I was trying to get Bill and I in a .5, and some people offered to take another pic. .5 's don't always work out.
We went for lunch on the way back to Betsy's.
You wouldn't believe who said "Ola Robin!" It was Shamila, with the children Tayob and David. Her older sister was still sleeping 😘.
We had another .5.
On the way out, Chiara and Lachie, we are thinking of you.
Next day we went back to the Earth Cafe, another walk and back to Carvoeira.
We had part of the beach in our coastal walk so we went back again.
So steep. Rubbish will not be picked up here.
After our walk to Carvoeira we went to meet Dan, for a drink and an early meal as we were keen to watch the US Open Golf last round. (We had been at it last year.)
We are impressed with this rubbish system that we see a lot.
Dan told us later this beach and the water are so clean because of the way the currents run in the Atlantic Ocean here.
We had such lovely chats with Dan. He was so generous with his time and he is incredibly brave - new country and a new business, It seems he loves Portugal and navigates it with ease.
Tomorrow we are leaving the Algarve to drive to north of Lisbon. Thank you to Betsey and Alan. If it were not for them we would have never come to Carvoeira. You gave us so much and next time we would love to spend some time with you. Thank you to Dan for the awesome time we had together and all the best with your new life and businesses here. You are super inspiring. We feel it was a miracle we came to Carvoeira and had the best time. We enjoyed your piece of paradise and your lovely home Betsey and Alan xx