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"There's always a plan, but unexpected things happen and we just go with the flow. Though I do believe that fate and destiny often play their part"
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So, what's the plan for the rest of the year. Basically, we'll be funding Easyjet !!! Apart from the three weeks in the summer, I've booked a four day trip for us in September, a weekend hop for me in November to take sails off etc and then something a little different.....New Years Eve in Albufeira. A wander around Google has revealled that it all kicks off with a massive party, live bands and fireworks on the beach. A sail on 1st Jan 2012 would be a real bonus and what a way to start the New Year. For now though, we're counting down the days to 22nd July.
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After eleven days in the Algarve Nicki and I are totally smitten. Albufeira itself is a good place to chill and/or party depending on your mood. The marina area is quiet with a few good bars and restaurants whilst the old town, a 20 minute stroll away, offers everything and anything. Yes, in parts it's a bit over the top in terms of Brit influence but the lively club area is a great place to sit down and people watch.........and boy are there some "extrovert" individuals in this world!! . We chose to eat on board some evenings and the giant prawns at £4 for a half kilo were an amazing buy from the supermarket - my recipe to oven bake them with tons of garlic and lemon juice is now my signiture dish. On the other hand, Mojitas at the Bahuba Bar on Saturday night puts you at the centre of the action, although when we left at just past midnight it was clear that the real party was only just getting going. As for travelling further afield, Portimao was a gentle 3 hour hop (which on the way back was done in blustery conditions with a good old 2m rolling Atlantic swell to contend with). Taking the dinghy across to Ferragudo village and the spectacular beach was the highlight of the trip. It's a little piece of paradise. All in all, we had a fantastic time getting to know Albufeira but with enough sailing to make a respectable first stab at starting to explore all that's great about the region. Comino was a more than comfortable home for the duration and we're both certain that longer stints onboard will be nothing other than a pleasure. Oh, and I mustn't omit to report that my previously non existant engineering skills were put to good use with an oil change - first time I'd been so adventurous with a spanner... but it all went well. Next trip is in July for three weeks with Lagos, Alvor, Villamoura key targets to visit. In the meantime here are a few pics of our visit. |
A FEW PICS OF COMINO Click a photo to enlarge and use side arrows to scroll through. COMINO IS CURRENTLY HEREDID SOMEONE SAY SEAFOODOn our journey from Portugal to Greece we enjoyed amazing seafood almost everywhere we stopped. Finding the local fish market was always a priority because seafood was so plentiful and so reasonably priced. And, the displays were a feast for your eyes.
Locating a market sometimes meant pounding the pavements in searing heat, but if you kept your eyes peeled, you often came across a little clue. The pic below was a rather less than subtle advert for a fish market - it was eight feet tall.
Freshly cooked onboard, a plateful of giant prawns, baked in wine and garlic, washed down with a few glasses of local vino, was like heaven. Watching the sunset on the boat eating a meal like that was the epitome of "living the dream".
Now we're in Greece we've another favourite to savour. I'm talking about fried Calamari. It's usually good, but every now and then it's off-the-scale fantastic. At Natalie's Taverna on Kontokali Beach in Corfu, it was nothing short of epic.
We're based in Lefkas now and It's been a bit of a mission to find somewhere just as good. And we have. Rakias is a mere ten minute walk from the marina and this little fish market, with its very own taverna attached, is quite sensational.
Oh...and it's also worth mentioning that, on occasions, a bit of barbequed Octopus is on the menu at some of the tavernas we frequent. Can I resist....no. SUNSETS AND DRAMATIC SKIESNo filters, or any other monkey business, have been used to enhance these images.
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