Lagoa – London
Maybe its because I’m a Londoner, it will always be a very special
place to me. I’ve recently spent 10 days there. The main reason
being my daughter's wedding and to also take care of my young
grandson while she and new husband went off on honeymoon. This also
gave me the chance to look around and visit old places where we had
lived and to see some of the sights. Of course there are many
changes and so much building going on that this great metropolis is
not only spreading but also reaching for the skies and as I looked
across the Thames from The Globe theatre to St Paul's opposite the
great structures surrounding Wrens cathedral seem to resemble a
Manhattan skyline!
But I come here to speak of Algarve and my introduction is simply to
'tie up' with events that occurred during my recent holiday.
It was Monday morning. I had been in Algarve 5 days and though I'd
settled in well (Beverley and her son Anton had made me so welcome
that I soon felt at home) for some reason I woke feeling melancholy
and a little lonely. But as I wandered into the kitchen and looked
out of the open window onto the terraced greenery and lemon orchard
at the back I soon felt better. The sun was shining and I could feel
its welcome warmth on my bare arms. It would be another beautiful
day. I made a packed lunch and went on my usual walk into Carvoeiro.
This is a 15-20 mins walk from the old Portuguese farmhouse; quite
hard on the feet but also very pleasant as there are some lovely
gardens on the way and always the wonderful scent of orange blossom
from an orchard along the roadside.
My holiday cottage garden near CVO
After giving Hub a quick call I bought a newspaper and sat on the
beach to enjoy an early lunch. I watched some families at play,
having fun and chatting and I found my lonely feeling returning. So
around 3 o'clock I treated myself to a taxi drive to Lagoa; the plan
being to look up some old friends. The weather was really hotting up
by then and so I walked to Maria's pastelaria with the intention of
buying a cold drink but to my surprise I found it was closed. So
instead I went to the cafe in the park. I wasn't sitting there long
when Sonia came over to greet me with a kiss. In Sonia's company you
cant be sad or feel lonely! This young lady fairly bubbles with life
and she soon had me laughing and engaging in lively conversation!
First, she told me she'd read and enjoyed "Lagoan Girls" on the
Corner. Then we talked of her Christmas in Argentina with boyfriend
and kiddies. As she went off to get my drink I felt happier and my
good humour fully restored.
Sonia & Ellie in Lagoa Park cafe
As I sat there enjoying my large milky coffee I decided to write up
my journal. Looking up I noticed some people watching me at a nearby
table. The man nodded to me then said "You a writer?"
A conversation followed as I told him and his companions about
Carvoeiro.com, the site and its contents. They asked where I was
from. I said England and originally London. At this, the younger
taller man with his back to me, turned around.
He smiled and said "I bet I know London better than you!". His
English was faultless." I lived in London for 30 years, serving in
the Met. Police force"
I was absolutely amazed! I replied that he probably did know more of
London than myself and we chatted for some time about different
places there and where he'd been stationed.
Luis Mora is a retired policeman now and as we spoke he told me that
he was about to open a new restaurant in Lagoa. They were working
hard to get it ready for the opening day on May 3rd. It is called 'Taberna
31' and is on Rua Mauzinho Albequerque. It would have a 'beer
garden' and he would have a fine selection of meals and drinks
available. When he left, I wished him luck and said I would mention
the restaurant on CVO. forum just to give the business a boost!
I was then invited by the others to go with them to their friends’
pastelaria. By coincidence, it was just past the road where we used
to live; going out of town about 100 metres from the 'Nossa Senhora'
shrine. There, I was introduced to a family of father, Joaquim, his
Cuban wife Maite, enchanting daughter Jessica and handsome little
boy Giovani. Joaquim is owner of the 'A casa do Pao' in Carvoeiro. I
said I didn’t know the place but would like to go there for a meal
and then write about it. So this was arranged. Meanwhile I was being
introduced to others including Adearley, the Brazilian pizza and
pasta cook at the 'casa do pao' and plied with 'cafe com leite' and
small pieces of spicy sausage.
I couldn't quite believe it. I’d woken that morning feeling a little
sad and lonely, yet here I was a few hours later, in the middle of
friendly smiling people who were strangers to me, yet I felt 'at
home' and completely at ease.
Nossa Senhora shrine
But this was Portugal and I recalled, even when I was alone
during our residency, something I never ever felt was lonely or
afraid. I relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere, listening to these
nice interesting folk as they told me a little of their life. The
time just flew by and it was now early evening. I said I would have
to go soon as I had to get a taxi back home.
Then one of them said "You must come and meet our mother" and before
I knew it, I was being led across the road and up a narrow side
street to a pretty Portuguese cottage. I was shown inside and
introduced to a small dark-haired, dark eyed lady. Offering me a
comfortable armchair, she left the room and returned with a bottle
of port, homemade cake and a dish of sugared almonds. I must have
sat there for at least another hour and with her son translating we
managed to have an interesting conversation as she sat shelling
broad beans into a bowl on her lap. She told me they were for a
special meal she was preparing for the following day using the 'favas'
(beans), traditional Portuguese meal made with bacon and spicy
sausage. It sounded rather delicious and I told her I would try it
when I returned to England.
It was now starting to get dark, so I reluctantly said goodnight to
this lively little lady and said Id like to see her again some time.
But I didn't leave alone. My 'newfound friends' accompanied me to
the bus station and waited with me till a taxi arrived. As I got
into the cab, Joaquim said something to the driver. I waved them
goodbye and in less than 15 minutes I was home. But as I went to pay
the driver he shook his head, saying "No. Its okay. Joaquim, he pay.
He’s my friend"
I went to bed that night with a smile on my face. A bad day had
turned out good, very good and I now had a new set of Lagoan
friends!
It was a few days later and after doing my morning chores of washing
and ironing I set out on my usual walk to Carvoeiro. Despite a few
blisters on my feet I did enjoy this daily stroll and each day I
tried to do it 'just that bit quicker'! However, this particular day
I think I did it in almost half my usual time! On route I had to
pass a quite large house and gardens. At the entrance were huge iron
gates and as sure as 'eggs are eggs' the owners dogs would race up
to the gates on my approach and scare the living daylights out of
me! I never did seem ready for them but this morning I steeled
myself well before I reached the gates. As I got closer however, no
less than 5 dogs came tearing out through the now 'open' gates; two
of them very large and aggressive. As they came towards me growling
and barking ferociously, I had one eye on the passing traffic and
one on the dogs. No way was I going to walk near to or pass them.
Soon as there the road cleared I was across to the other side and
did my quickest walk ever into Carvoeiro town!
I spent some time on the beach that day but as it reached early
afternoon I noticed a chill in the air and thought Id make a move. A
10-minute taxi ride soon had me in Lagoa and the park. Although the
sun was shining the chill wind had picked up so I headed under the
awning of the park's cafe. As usual Sonia came over to ask what I
would like. I was feeling very thirsty and she recommended some 'Tilia'
tea. I wasn’t quite sure at first, but on thinking I remembered that
this was made from the flowers of the 'lime' tree and on drinking
found it to be quite refreshing. While I chatted with Sonia I
couldn't help noticing someone watching me from a corner table. As I
looked up I saw a young girl sitting with two men and catching my
eye, she smiled. I smiled back. As I sat there drinking and writing
I saw her get up and still smiling she gradually wandered over to me
and shyly hovered by my table.
"I heard you talking. Are you from London?"
Pretty, dark-haired and eyed, she was totally Portuguese in
appearance so her clear English with no trace of accent took me
completely by surprise. This was a 'London' voice, similar to my
own!
I answered her, saying where in London I came from, then she told me
she had been born and brought up and went to school in North West
London. As she chatted I asked her to sit down and we ended up
having quite a long conversation. She told me she lived with her
mother, who was Portuguese and that she was studying hard at school
and hoped to go to university. She told me her name and that she was
11. Again, I was totally amazed at this. I thought her at least 14
as she was so engaging and confident. I think we talked for at least
half an hour maybe more. She was staying in Lagoa with her auntie
and uncle and cousins for the Easter holidays. I asked her where she
preferred to live and without hesitation she said 'Lagoa'!
I could have talked for much longer. A truly charming and
interesting young lady and one I am sure will have a promising
future. But her uncle came over and said it was time for them to
leave so I said 'Adeus' and wished her lots of luck.
As they walked away I thought of the question Id asked "Where did
she prefer to live. London or Lagoa?"
If I were asked the same question it would be difficult. London will
always be a part of me but if 'pushed' I think I would give the same
answer as Karolina. It would have to be Lagoa! |
