Spain 2016 - Good Friday

From the moment we got up today it was obvious that it was a holiday. People walking around the marina, having coffee in the bars, lounging on the boats and all the fishing boats were in at the wharf. We have got used to the peace and quiet so we went for a drive.
We drove across the river to Portugal and North towards Alcoutim (previous post) and then turned west. The scenery was lovely, high hills covered with trees (mostly Umbrella Pines but also some Olive and Cork Oak)) and the amazing Ciscus, still in bloom, covering the hills with white flowers. The hills turned into a high plateau and expanses of yellow Lupins were added to the scene.

These are not planted fields of Lupin, they are wild. White Ciscus behind.

The plateau went on for miles with no population in evidence or any animals for that matter. Lots of trees, flowers and birds.

Stopping at a restaurant, in a small village, for a coffee, this Stork was on a nest in the parking lot. He is rather dirty (I have read that Storks are raiding garbage dumps and not migrating South due to the availability of "junk food"). There is a second Stork in the nest, maybe on eggs.

Each Hydro pole had a Stork nest. They nest on the huge Hydro pylons too, sometimes 2 or 3 nests on one Pylon. Main cause of death for a Stork; electrocution.

We pulled off the side of the road on a hill top  surrounded by trees and wild flowers. A peaceful spot for our picnic. I took this picture of the stony ground. It is amazing that anything grows in it.

We noticed these beside the road, as we were driving, and had to stop to take a look. They look like Freesia but on looking that up I find that it is native to South Africa. Next I looked up "Algarve wildflowers" and found that there are 100s, including many orchids. Had a lovely time scrolling through the pictures but didn't find these.

Once we got home we decided it was time for a glass of wine at the cafe below us; Dante's. I walked around the marina first, feeling I had spent too long sitting in the car.

Sitting at the cafe table we watched this poor skipper try repeatedly to back the boat into its dock. The wind kept taking the bow. I'm sure it made it even harder that we were all watching. I guess owning a 40plus foot boat with 2 wheels doesn't change the fact that backing up a sailboat is a difficult operation.

I haven't got used to the Hoopoes, they are still such an odd looking and colourful bird.

After our wine we came back up to the apartment and Mum and I sat on the terrace and read. We only have a few more days to enjoy this so want to make the most of the time.

When we first got here the sun never reached the terrace. Now we can sit in the sun from about 3pm on.