More tales and pictures from Ferragudo....
Something I discovered reading about the Algarve area was the origin of the name of this village we are in. Originally back in the 15th century there was a piece of equipment used to lift the catch of fish from boats anchored off the shore. This apparatus was made of Ferro which means iron and was Agudo -sharp. Ferragudo....sharp iron!
In some earlier pictures I posted some photos of the castle just in front of us. It is called Sào Joào de Arade and dates back to the 15th century as well. It was originally built as a lookout tower, probably watching for invaders from other seafaring nations and one assumes for pirates as well. During the 17th and 18th century the fortress was extended as part of the fortification protecting the mouth of the river on which Ferragudo and Portimao share banks across from each other. Sometime during the 20th century it was turned into a private home. One can only imagine the interior and wonder at the heating bill during the cooler months!!!!
Down on the pool patio there is a magnificent bougainvillea growing....see the next picture down. They certainly thrive here and almost grow wild. Makes me so jealous when I remember having a poor skinny little specimen in a pot trying to encourage the poor thing to grow in my little greenhouse at home. It finally gave up and died one early frosty morning when I wasn't looking.
Let me tell you about our dinner adventure last night! Lourdes fetched us from the villa in her car and drove us to Lagoa to a restaurant she helps out in from time to time. Val sat in the front and got to hold the warm cake Lourdes had made. Once we reach Lagoa we zipped up and down more narrow cobblestoned streets, holding on for dear life and then she stopped in the middle of the road and let us out, and escorted us inside a building before returning to park her car down a laneway. We were sat at a table for four on which was a small plate of thinly sliced cold sausage style meats. Before long olives, some sort of dip and breads were brought to the table and the owner whom we dubbed George because he so resembled George Clooney, brought us a vase with 4 pink rosebuds.....for us! He took our wine order and soon returned with one bottle of red and one white. Needless to say with three of us sharing the white (Vinho branco) we had to have another. When we came into the restaurant there were only two other tables set up for two people each and another big long table to hold about 16 beside us by the window, all decorated with candles and coloured paper and so on. We thought maybe a birthday or some other celebration. However, it turned out it was mostly young women and a few fellas along with the man who owned a fitness studio and they were having a very good time. The fitness man spoke very good English and we chatted with him for awhile off and on, commenting on his style of attire from time to time. There was a large vase of beautiful Gerbera daisies on a little side table and he handed them out to some of the ladies at his table, but imagine our surprise when he brought four to our table.....pointing to his cheek for the European style thanks....a kiss each side of the face! Such a fun time we had. The Vinho no doubt encouraging us all.
George soon appeared with first a self serve bowl of shrimp soup....this was very very delicious, then along came our main meal...a true Portuguese dish called Cataplana. This was served in a domed topped copper type of bowl and the top came off to reveal our dinner, a type of fish stew. George served each of us portions.....prawns, mussels in shells, skate and another type of whitefish, possibly bream or something similar. Then when that layer was portioned out he added the potatoes, tomatoes and red pepper slices underneath the seafood. This was all served with a drizzle of the juice it was all cooked in. We all agreed it was good but not something we would want to have everyday. The main meal being done we just sat (if I said quietly would you believe me?) anyway, we sat sipping our Vinho and dessert was offered....naturally a piece of Lourdes orange cake with a spoonful of whipping cream. Sooooooooo good. It appears to be a tradition in Portugal to complete your evenings meal with a small glass (or two in our case) of Port. We finally asked George what his name was.....turns out it was Paul Jorge! He was quite a character and an excellent host! As we were done, Lourdes finished up her work and we paid our bill and thanked George in the European fashion, although I seem to recollect him getting a kiss on the lips from Betty! Perhaps the ladies coming after we leave will get to go there for another meal. If they do they will enjoy it so much. We all then piled.....and I use that word loosely, into Lourdes car for our giggly return back to the villa. There is a picture of the flowers we brought home with Val in her Jammie's sitting behind them.
This morning we all arose quite chipper and after breakfast headed into town to the flea market. Wow! Never saw so many people out and about. It was huge! Both sides of the road all the way down the street to the waterfront were filled with individuals tables or just laid out on the ground. All manner of goods....jewelry, babies and kids clothing, adults clothing, crocheted tablecloths, towels, antiques, old pictures, tools....you name it! A flea marketers heaven! We didn't buy anything! Can't load down the suitcases anymore. Val and I leave here next Saturday to return to Lisbon and catch our flight to London where we will spend 3 nights before heading home. We are so jealous of Sharon and Betty!
The last picture is of some little fishermans huts along the beach. I don't know much about them but will endeavor to find out and tell you about them. Now we are about to try to light the barbecue to cook our supper steaks. More to follow.
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