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| Ellie's
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Ellie and Hub lived in Lagoa 10
years ago, while in their early 40's, they had a carpentry business near
Algoz.
You can reach Ellie at: Gantree1@aol.com |
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Out
For Lunch!
I was on holiday for a month so I was determined to be a little more
adventurous and try somewhere different to eat!
Not having a car in Carvoeiro I had to take a taxi or bus in order
to get around, but taxis can prove quite expensive so I went to
inquire about bus timetables.
What I had in my head was a trip to Portimão as I wanted to have a
really genuine 'fresh' sardines meal; to me this simple fare is what
Portugal is about. I remembered from our time of residence, how we
would travel regularly into Portimao over the old bridge and if it
was lunchtime the fish restaurants on the harbour side would be
teaming with people and I would think, what a perfect spot for a
midday break!
The day I chose to go I was a little late getting out and when I
went to the bus stop, realised I had missed the bus by 10 minutes
and that another wouldn't be along for about an hour. There was
nothing for it. I would have to take a taxi. Bit of an 'expensive'
lunch, but I was determined to go!
It was a beautiful day, with temperatures touching 80 degrees, the
skies that wonderful cloudless deep blue. The driver took me through
Ferragudo and as we drove through that pretty town, he proceeded to
tell me a little of the local history, pointing out tall chimneys he
said they were sardine factories where his mother had once worked
but that all were now closed and although sardines were still fished
and brought into the harbour, all of these were now mostly all
exported to Spain. He seemed a little sad at the passing of this
once thriving industry.
As we came into Portimão, the driver dropped me off close to the
small park by the harbour. It was a bit early for lunch so I decided
to have a stroll through the center of town. Its been some years
since I had done this and I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty
of pedestrian shopping area.
In the bright sunny weather, it was a real pleasure to stroll round
the little shops without the worry of traffic and the small
fountains that played intermittently along the walkway brought a
refreshing atmosphere to a very hot day. I stopped at a small café
for a cup of tea and as usual found the owners kind and friendly.
Then I started to feel hungry, so I made my way back through the
park, along the harbour and under the old bridge. There they were,
half a dozen fish restaurants jostling each other, vying for
customers as they passed by! I decided on the end one, it didn't
look too busy and I was starving!
I was served as soon as I sat down. Starters of bread and bowl of
olives. A half bottle of Vinho Verde, then I sat there, looking at
my fellow diners, all completely relaxed, chatting, enjoying their
meal and then I looked out over the sun-sparkled waters of the
harbour thinking, this is just perfect!
Then my sardines were served up, 6 of them plump and crisp on the
red terracotta plate with an accompanying 'salad simples'. It looked
a lot but the walking and fresh air had me hungry and before long I
was looking down at an empty plate! A young lad asked me if I would
like coffee, he spoke no English and I ordered a café com leite.
Five minutes later he arrived and put the small strong 'bica' down
before me. It wasn't what I ordered but he was so friendly I didn't
have the heart to tell him it was wrong.
After that simple but wonderful lunch I strolled back to the small
park to sit in its welcome shade. Hearing music I looked over to the
water display and saw our old friends of last year, the 'Music of
the Andes' South American group. I sat back on the park bench,
closed my eyes and let their soft serenades waft over me.
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Portimão harbour |
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the first few days of my holiday I had paid just a brief visit to
Lagoa and looked up my old friend Luis. The Taberna 31 had opened
earlier this year and I had promised that I would pay a visit. It
was late afternoon and as I walked in there was Luis, the 'Oliver
Reed' lookalike (as I had dubbed him), pouring drinks and chatting
to staff and customers alike. Luis lived in London for many years,
working in the Met. Police force, so his English is excellent and he
is a very friendly and interesting man. That day I didn't stay long
but promised to come back the following week for some lunch. |
Luis, Isabel & Vera |
Taberna 31 |
The very next Tuesday, I turned up at Taberna31 and the young
waitress showed me to a small table. When asked what I would like a
for a main meal, I simply said fish please! Then a bowl of fresh
vegetable soup, mainly potato and cabbage was set before me and very
good it was too! Luis asked if I would like wine, he then produced a
local white from the fridge and poured me a glass leaving the bottle
for me to help myself. There were quite a few customers, all men on
their lunch break. I felt a little conspicuous being the only woman
but when I looked up, I was met with a smile and courteous nod of
the head. The fish looked wonderful and tasted the same. Once again
it was simply grilled and served with lemon slices and a few fresh
vegetables. I asked Luis its name but he couldn't remember the
English, so all I can say is that it was very similar to plaice and
I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was followed by a creme caramel 'Pudim'
and white coffee, by which time my hunger was well and truly
satisfied!
Afterwards I sat and talked to Luis and he introduced me to his
partner Isabel and the young waitress Vera. As we talked I asked if
it was okay to take a few photos. I was told to feel free to take as
many as I liked. Some young lads at a nearby table were quite happy
to 'pose' for me, then I went outside to say thank-you to the cook
Rosa and BBQ man Helder. Then it was time to take my leave and when
I asked for the bill was astonished at being charged just 6 euros
for such a sumptuous meal! Before I left I assured them I would be
back in the New Year but this time I would bring some friends!
Taberna 31
It was Monday and my last full day in Algarve. The next day I would
be going home. So that morning I spent tidying the apartment and
packing my case. I'd had an early breakfast so by 2.30 or so I was
beginning to feel hungry again! The weather was still lovely & sunny
so I decided on a last visit to Lagoa. As I wandered into the little
park a voice called out, on looking over I saw it was Joaquim, the
owner of Classique 21. I walked over, sat down and soon the waitress
was coming over to take my order. I had a simple sardine salad, some
ice cream and a coffee. I noticed there were quite a few stray dogs
around the park, one of which was a small Chihuahua-type dog and
they were troubling people at a table next to mine. The poor
creatures seem to be starving and the woman was putting scraps from
her plate onto the nearby lawn.
When I'd finished my meal I went to sit on a bench in the park but I
hadn't sat there long when I heard someone call out to me once
again. It was the waiter at Classique 21 and he was waving me over
to a table where he was serving. On going over I was introduced to
an English lady. She was staying in Lagoa and indulging in her
favourite hobby of painting. We chatted for a while. She was a
Londoner from the Westminster area, so we had quite a lot to talk
about. Then another lady joined us. She was Linda and works in the
nearby animal charity shop. As we talked about her work, she
suddenly fished out a collar and lead from her bag. She was worried
about a small dog she'd seen running around, an obvious stray and
intended catching the dog and try to find an owner. On her
description I was able to tell her it was the little Chihuahua I'd
seen earlier. Yet another lady came walking by, accompanied by a
poodle on a lead. Linda called out "Hi Joan. Come and join us!"
which she did and so we ended up quite a merry party, drinking a
little wine and a few snacks of anchovies and spicy sausage! |
Lads lunch break |
Lagoa park |
On
finding out that Joan (Lemmo) was in the film world, we were soon
deep into conversation about acting and I was able to tell her of my
older son's career. She was quite impressed when I spoke of the
different actors he had worked with and she went on to tell me of
her earlier career as an actress, then producer in Hollywood and I
learnt of her working with actors such as Sidney Poitier and many
others. I was quite fascinated to learn that she was in the process
of making a short film in Algarve. It was to be called 'The Pink
House' and was about a lady who lived in a house filled with
mannequins!!"
As the afternoon wore on I suddenly looked at my watch and noticed
it was after 4.30pm. Linda told me I had just missed a bus. On
hearing this Joan said "Don't worry. Ill give you a lift to
Carvoeiro. I wanna go to the internet cafe to check my e-mails"
Before I knew it, I was being whisked off to CVO by this elderly but
very energetic and most interesting American lady!
When Hub called me later that evening, I told him about my
afternoon. He laughed and said, "Elle, you do meet some don't you!"
That's true. I don't believe I had one dull moment!
please also see:
Sardines in Portimão by Liz Hendley
www.carvoeiro.com/Guide/sardines/ |
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