We started with breakfast on the terrace then followed it up with a 'triathlon' of snooker, tennis and swimming. We'd worked up an appetite so that meant some lunch (on the terrace again) and then an afternoon of reading and sleeping by the pool. I've now finished all three of the books I brought with me.
Now having a glass of wine while we get ready to go out for dinner in Vilamoura.
Tavira itself was very pretty and the castle offered some terrific views of the town; as well as a shady flower garden that K enjoyed photographing.
After Tavira, we headed along the coast to Santa Luzia and then Pedras d'El Rei. SL was a sleepy place but very pretty, we had a walk along the front then sat on a bench warming our bones. In Pedras, we walked out to and island nature reserve called Ilha de Tavira - it was very pretty and peaceful. The marshy land reminded us of a hot version of Blakeney!
Dinner was in the hotel restaurant with a drink in the bar afterwards. I don't know whether it's the big meals, or the heat, or the fresh air, or a combination of all three but we're done in by the time we go to bed. Lucky we can lie in!
Yesterday, we were in the mountains around Foia and Monchique. We just got up there before the clouds obscured the immense view. The rest of the sky was cloudless but there were a couple just covering the mountain peak.
Service round here has been fantastic. You expect it in the Hilton but it's across the board; everyone seems super-friendly and eager to please.
