All who wander are not lost, but we usually are...

Thursday, February 7: Quiet day today.  We went out for breakfast and then to Intermarche to stock up on groceries, read wine and peanut butter.  Once home we all read for a bit and then decided to take a walk now that we know for sure how to get to the old town.  And we did get there, meandering around a putting green first and then through the doorway in the wall, past the church, and down to the square.  Today the wind was really blowing and the ocean was roaring up onto the beach.  We went to Tourist Information  to get a couple more maps. It seems if we’re not lost we’re losing or misplacing something.

The Wall from the Putting Green

The Doorway into the City

Next we decided to see if we couldn’t find some dice so that at night if we wanted, we could play Farckle.  No luck in the souvenir shops so Dennis went back to Information.  He took us on a wild goose chase to find a Chinese shop—just go left and up the hill—they might have dice and they’re open until 7:00. So we turned left on the third street off the square and up the hill and what a hill! Guess what we found at the top? Guess what we didn’t find at the top? Not much and certainly not a Chinese shop.  Another left turn down another hill to find the doorway out of the walled city.

Down we went with beautiful mosaics under foot.  We found the church we always walk past into the square or out to the port. So up that street we went, no wall, no doorway.  I walked into a shop to see if the owner could tell us which way to turn. A young man said, no problem, he would take us there as it was on his way. As we walked we talked and then we stopped and he gave us an itinerary for the Algarve. He put it all on my phone. So getting lost?  No problem. And he, as are so many of the young in Portugal was so handsome.  Pat and I were very appreciative of the scenery.

The Gospel According to Dennis:
 Another relaxing day in Lagos.  A little cooler, a little overcast but temps are still in the mid 60’s. Got up and went out about 11 AM and up the street for lunch.  Next to the grocery store to fill our depleted cupboard, ok wine rack but also staples—bread, meat, fruit, chips, chocolate—you get the idea. Back home to unpack the goodies and then into the old walled city to wander.

It’s a small city but none the less, we got LOST.  This time it was good fortune.  We met a local man and asked for directions. He was terrific! He spent about 1/2 hour with us and told us about all the good local restaurants in town.  He asked where we were off to next after Lagos.  He filled us in on what to see and where to go as well.  Cindy took notes so we’re excited to see them too. After waving goodbye and thanking him we headed back home, now on the right path.

The Path

Dinner was up next and we’ve become locals at a restaurant about 1/2 block up the street.  We’re early diners there (about 7:30 PM) and they seem always glad to see us. The owner speaks English which helps us as our Portuguese is, well, nonexistent.  They have a wide variety of meals (fish, meat, pasta).  I had chicken giblets and puréed (mashed) potatoes with gravy.  They also provide a little extra —dessert or tawny port, gratis.  Prices are very reasonable.  Dinner, wine and dessert about $25, including tip for two people.  Tomorrow we head for a guided tour of vineyards in the Algarve.