It does seem like in Europe generally there is a de facto ban on pop, just through very high prices. On rare occasions when we order it, we split one can or bottle. If the can is 355 ml it"s sort of ok, but a tiny bottle, especially if split, is frustrating.

We’re more or less following your tracks but we decided to make the days shorter because, well, the days *are* shorter in November. Sunset has been around 5:30 and it’s nice to have time to walk around and explore in daylight.

And those are the good cobbles!

We stopped for lunch in Alcoutim years ago on our way to Mertola, when we had less vacationtime and kept our days longer. It’s a nice place though, one that I’ve always wanted to go back to.

That is amazing, but who wouldn’t want to ride on those cobblestones?

On an industrial scale compared to those I saw on the coast of France. The piles of salt are huge, almost like the sulphur at Vancouver Wharves. They are also a testament to the weather; such piles would not withstand a Vancouver winter.

I remember the parts of EV1 I rode in France as being well-marked and maintained. I don’t remember having to walk at all and I was in a bike less suited to rough surfaces than the one I ride now.

As for the Algarve, parts have been nice but much is too developed in ways we don’t care for. We rather expected that—we are here for the weather. But our next escape-November trip will be elsewhere.

Supernice!

Salt beds?

I tried my best to figure it out. No explanation for “ candy” as anything other than a sweet.
However, the English language words are twisted and used in such odd ways in Europe.
Another example was a sweatshirt I saw in Belgium which read “ Santa Cruz.. Los Angeles”.

As a native of California, this doesn’t make sense ( location wise), but.. the names are apparently a marketing ploy!

Enough said on this “non cycling route”.. except washing machines have “ cycles”😬

Steve may be partly responsible for that. We saw (found) and took the one EV 1 plastic sticker that was lying half buried in sand by the path. EV 1 was our least favourite path, and the Algarve our least favourite part of Portugal. We found it very touristy and overdeveloped for our taste.

I thought Candy was an odd name too, but maybe it isn’t in Portuguese?

Oopsie, Jacquie.. perhaps the egg on my face needs more attention than my silly replies 😬

Silves looks like a nice stop, one I wish we’d chosen instead of Albufeira.

About the storks. These surprised me too, but apparently some of them have started staying around for the winter. I don’t know if they’re resident here or just cutting short their migration from further north.

I don’t remember ever seeing such a tall, slender door.