C

Another cloudless day creating so many options ...at breakfast a farewell to Giorgo, the yacht skipper with information from the parallel universe of the super-rich ... not happy, he says ... the business billionaires engaged with some form of reality, though never sure of the motivation of friends ... spouses and children in surreal world of conspicuous consumption, always complaining, never satisfied ... these days Giorgio works on day trips, where folks pay a good price for a little luxury and mostly have their feet on the ground and not, as Giorgio graphically describes, up their arses.

Stefan, cycling German architect, conditioned to Catholicism, but curious nevertheless, embraces the solitude ... engages in some philosophy ...

Meanwhile, rumour has it that Tavira Garden up past the N125 has books in English... sought since there is time to read but choice limited ... so, after regular fix of fresh orange juice (C) from the market, and a quick purchase of shorts at the shopping centre,  it's inland and along the road of death to the smart enclave of Northern Europeans and lots of books to borrow ... but none in English ... mostly Scandinavian languages apparently ... back along the newer part of town, exploring and popping into the previously exhausted charity shop, three boxes of books, five worth consideration and all for one Euro ... hooray!

Lunch at the hostel, then off to the seaside ... and ferry working overtime since there is a three day festival of beach sports, hundreds of sporty young people lugging camping gear, sports equipment, water, beer ... the restaurants have similar logistical challenges with gas canisters, food, drink, chefs, waiters all needing to cross the water ... Jose, new roommate from the Alentejo is working on the Island this week, then returning in May for the season, until November ...which is longer than most summer seasons ...

Plodding along the beach, Beatrice passes ... from Quebec, though not today. .. she is en route to a permaculture volunteering opportunity in the Serra Estrella ... and since the Sun is strong and the sea shallow the first swim of the year occurs, albeit briefly ...