Monday mornings are different for
people all around the world. Some start dreading it on Sunday afternoon and then watch
depressing movies all night before awaking, tired and bleary in order to set off for work.
Sometimes this involves a 30km commute through a smoke-smogged forest of
exhaust-belching vehicles. Sometimes it involves racing for the Underground ( or Metro)
and staring formlessly at the passenger opposite while rude young executives cruise
through crowded stations. At other times it could mean rising at 04h45 to the sound of a
gentle but insistent knocking on the door and a soft African voice calls : "Avuxeni,
sir. It is time for the game drive". You throw on a neatly pressed set of khakis and
stroll out into the breaking African dawn for a cup of steaming hot coffee overlooking the
Sand River, while old Leo burps out his last ROAR of the night. I used to work in the bush
for www.ccafrica.co.za.
Monday mornings in the Algarve are somewhat different. I usually
set my alarm for around 08h00 and then go straight back to sleep until 09h00 when I spill
out of bed, splash on some clothes and walk the arduous ten long meters to the computer. I
settle down with some coffee and reply to some e-mails, plan a few visits (or meetings if
you want to call them that) for the week, design a few web pages and then HIYUP! its on
your bike, Nick.
I coasted down to Vale de Centianes this morning to do some "information
gathering" for my weekly diary. Quite fun lying on your back in the hot sun, reading
Tom Clancy's non-fiction account of the Gulf War, while lithe young bodies prance around,
oiling themselves with the scent of coconut oil and Everysun. Peaceful it was too, and I
became immersed in the opening stages of the Gulf war.
Turning the page of "Every man a Tiger" by Tom Clancy I
became aware of a machine burbling away. (By the way, if you would like to buy some books
go and have a look at our book section)
The Wave runner or Jet ski in front of me was starting its daily run of operations. I was
amazed at how well the rides were selling. You can have fun for 15mins on the thing for
5,000 Escudos. That's for one, two or three people - not bad.
I decided I had better get back to work and traipsed back up the
cliffs to my bicycle. I have heard via the grapevine that someone will be starting
mountain biking trips in and around Carvoeiro this summer. I think that sounds like a
magnificent idea as there are so many wonderful little back roads around here. I am always
discovering new ways to get to Carvoeiro from Roma,
the major reason is to avoid cars and also to explore the surrounding area.
There are so many things to explore here and I am dying to do a
Zebra Safari, visit Monchique high up in the mountains and take a trip to Sagres and Cape
St Vincent. A visit to a wine farm in Alentejo is also sounding very attractive. Steen has
put up a great section on the local food and wine
in order to help you avoid American food and enjoy the local Portuguese culinary delights.
I am glad that the "discussion" on the new McDonalds in Lagoa seems to be
petering out on the message board.
However, it was incredibly interesting to see how much traffic that McDonalds of all
things produced on our message board. Like it or hate it, it is going to happen. Lets hope
we can discuss more interesting things in the future, like the new movie "Tomb Raider with Lara Croft".
It opens in Portugal on Friday and I am planning to go see it next Thursday at the Modelo
Cinemas in Portimão, the closest cinemas to Carvoeiro.
I hope you enjoy your Monday and I am always keen to meet people who are coming to
Carvoeiro. Drop me an e-mail!
Cheers
Nick - nick@carvoeiro.com
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