Adventures of Thésée: Fab 4 Re-united

Saturday 15th September… OOH today was the day we’ve been waiting for… FRIENDS RE-UNITED DAY, and everyone arrived safely from the UK as planned. On Thesee we had a big clean-up plus Dean tried to sort out the gears on Linda’s bike because they're refusing to change down. Sharon & Michael had booked a meal for 16 of us at Casa do Bife in Carvoeiro. We left the marina at 6.30pm so we had plenty of time to arrive and have a look around the place. There was a band playing on the beach and we just caught the last couple of songs. The place was really busy with an unbelievable amount of bars and restaurants to choose from. We took a brief walk up the hillside to catch a glimpse of the sunset. There was a man at the top flying a drone right out over the sea until it went out of sight. Fortunately it did come back again.

Looking down to the beach in Carvoeiro

Dean's in high spirits

Just reached the top before sunset

Back down in the town we had time to spare and took a seat outside at the ‘Motown and Northern Soul’ bar. It wasn’t too long before Fab Friends started arriving. How exciting it was to see them again on our very long awaited date.

So we went on to have a real good meal at Casa do Bife. Saffy was allowed too, so we didn’t have to worry about leaving her home alone. Dean ordered mixed grill on a hot slate, meaning he cooked it himself at the table. Some of the others had similar meals and they give you a bib to wear so you don’t get all messy. Before we knew it, it was gone midnight and we were still there having a great time. Our re-union was everything we had hoped for and more.

Lovely little Luella with Nanny

Gemma & Paul having a good time

Cheers from the Girls

Obviously we're on the pink medicine

... and the Boys...some sensible, some not

Dean is that really you with a Baba?

Now that's really you Dean....

Let's get cooking that mixed grill

Sunday 16th September… Obviously, a bit of a lie-in this morning. After lunch we had visitors, Yay! Sharon, Michael, Gemma, Paul, and Luella came to see us on Thesee. It was a really hot day with little breeze in the marina so we had to make sure we drank beer and rose. We had a super couple of hours chatting and being amused by Luella’s obsession for Saffy dog. Maybe when you’re a bit older and you can take her for a walk she will repay the compliment Luella… instead of doing a disappearing act 😉. Afterwards we took a little walk about the marina before the guys made their way back to Carvoeiro. Thank you soooo much for coming to see us.

That's it Luella.... Where to everyone?

Now where's that Saffy dog gone?

....I know she's here somewhere Mom

Don't worry I'll get Nanny and Grandad to help me

Monday 17th September… Today was the best day EVA! I can hardly type this having downed so much rose but I will try even if the words don’t make sense when I type. All the Fabbers joined us onboard Thesee this afternoon and we took Thesee across to the anchorage for a few hours. It was so much fun and the guys were interested in all things boaty, asking questions and showing curiosity about the navigation instruments amongst other things. The weather was really kind and we spent a good few hours anchored in about 4 metres or so off Ferragudo. This was all about us meeting up in Portimao and it didn’t disappoint. Linda is so extremely thankful for these amazing girls, lifelong friends, good companions, always jolly no matter what. Through thick and thin always there for each other. Here are some photos….

Happy re-union Fabbers

Ooh and here's all 8 of us!

Don't forget you can keep track of our whereabouts at www.vesselfinder.com or see our website at sites.google.com/view/adventuresofthesee/home

Tuesday 18th September… So today we had a free day and made our minds up deciding to do a bit of local sightseeing. There’s a small town only about 15km away called Silves and so off we went. On arrival we headed towards the imposing Castelo de Silves up on the hill… the largest castle in the Algarve we’ve heard. It was a beautiful setting with a church and lots of old buildings, but we didn’t go inside the castle… The usual ‘No dogs allowed’ rule. So we just peeped through the gates. After a quick café stop for ‘the best orange juice in the Algarve’ so they said, we drove down to the river and parked up. It’s the River Arade, just like in Portimao. We saw about 6 storks flying overhead, it was quite something. So we strolled along the river for a while and then headed into the main streets where Dean bought a novel from the Charity Shop for one euro, and then we stopped for lunch in a lovely little friendly snack bar in the back streets.

Shame about the noisy JCB digging up the cobblestone street

The Castle of Silves - That's a better close up

.... and the Church

....and the old buildings

Getting past the castle guards.

This is King Sancho I - Nicknamed 'The Populator'

Tiniest Crochet Booties on sale in the Orange Juice cafe

This Saint seems to have lost his head.

Shame, it's really hidden by an umbrella shade

Guided by The Light

Looking down into the valley

At the riverside

Stork's nest

Watching them flying above

Managed to zoom in and get a quick photo

Pomegranate Tree... you don't see these every day

From Silves we headed back to Lagoa and took the scenic route back to Portimao instead of the main road. We don’t have a road map so we had to try and remember some places to head for from googling them earlier. Mainly we drove through Sesmaria and then Ferragudo. It was a lovely scenic ride with sea views and lots and lots of beautiful homes.

Tonight, Jeremy from Right Turn came over from the anchorage for a couple of hours for a drink and a catch up. He’s another boat that’s doing the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) this winter, and he’s from our home port of Wicor, Fareham.

Wednesday 19th September… Our last full day in Portimao and so Dean made us an English Breakfast on Thesee, with proper bacon. We made use of the car and went shopping again, trying out the Intermarche this time. There was a Sports Direct next door and Dean bought some new Crocs. We’ve been trying to get him some (at a reasonable price) since half way down the coast of France.

Shopping done, we headed back because time was getting on and we needed to get ready for another big night out at Sharon & Michael’s place. We filled the hire car up on the way and arrived about 6.15pm. This was the first time we’ve visited their Portuguese home and we were very excited, managing to find it without getting lost. Sharon & Michael welcomed us in with drinks and showed us around. Well it’s just a cracking place, beautifully located, and beautifully decorated in Portuguese style inside and out. Peaceful surroundings with birds in the trees, just idyllic. Not too long after Sue and Bart arrived, and we all took a walk into the hotel grounds next door and took a look at the lovely swimming pools that Sharon & Michael have use of along with their own.

Pre-dinner drinkies at Sharon & Michael's place

Exploring the hotel nextdoor

....and the hotel gardens

Looking across to Brasserie do Rosal from S&M's place

Unfortunately Brenda & Mark didn’t arrive until a while later because their hotel had run out of warm water for showers. So all present we walked to Brasserie do Rosal, and overlooking the swimming pool had a wonderful meal to celebrate our last night together in the Algarve before some of us depart tomorrow. The Portimao Party is over and now it’s time to continue our Adventures of Thesee. Tomorrow we’ll be heading to Faro.