THIS morning was the first in a while without breakfast included at the guest house - and I prefer it with breaky. It was nice out so I went on a mission to find some fruit, croissants and yogourt to go with the latte from the machine downstairs. At least they have that.
Because it was so early not much was open so I headed down to the beach where nobody was there byt me. It was pretty much the same on the streets of the old town, too, so I just kept going down this twisty street, then another, and another. As well as a long walk along the beach. Once stores opened I picked up a few things and made my way back to the guest house and to the little kitchen/dining/sitting room. In there was a couple who ended up being from Belgium so we chatted away in both english and french. I didn't bring it up, but the man asked what I thought of our neighbour - let's just say he feels the same way as I do. And he himself mentioned exactly what their fascist leader needs. Everyone here seems to think the same thing. He also thinks that Putin wants Europe and is likely planning a serious assault on the continent within the next three to five years.
Then we switched topics. They are retired and are staying here in this guest house for fourteen weeks but he agrees that the Algarve is not at all what it once was.
I needed some more beach and wave action so I returned to the seaside to enjoy them, wander more streets, then eventually pick up a few items for lunch back at the guest house. Over lunch I looked over the forecast for the next few days and it still seems tomorrow will be fine but the following three days will have enormous amounts of rain. At this point, I will abandon cycling once I reach Faro tomorrow, use trains for Algarve travel and the train back to Lisbon. I feel sad about it but with 25 mm of rain and headwind gusts to almost 60 km/h, I just don't see how I could manage it safely.
While finishing lunch a few raindrops started to fall so I came inside and then it just poured for most of the afternoon. Not wanting to walk around in that, I came to my room to read a bit, watch some videos and have a wee nap. Then once the rain ended I returned for yet another walk and down to the beach, possibly for my last time in Albufeira, unless I feel the need to return. To that end, as I was returning to my room afterwards, I came by Vila Recife yet again where some people were milling about. I saw that some of them had Barata Hotels shirts on (they own the hotel) so I stopped to chat with them. Isabel is the manager of the hotel. I mentioned thatI had been there two previous times, so was curious about longer-term stays and she said just to contact her if interested, because yes, they do. I recalled the desk manager from Romania who was there in 2019 but she said that sadly he had left and was now in Belgium.
I mentioned 'peace of mind' in the title. I have seen a number of clips of the disturbing address from the Banana Republic's Fuhrer last night. And I was disturbed and in need of the pacifying nature of wave action. The sound is very soothing to my soul.
My cute little room at Amarela Guest House. -- Albufeira, Portugal
My morning walk heading toward Miguel Mombarda Square. This local priest was one of the Portugese clergy who went to spread Christianity in Japan. He was burned to death for his efforts. -- Albufeira, Portugal
