Algarve Days - 5 July

Mexilhoeira Grande is an authentic Algarve village and really there’s no evidence of the tourism industry here unlike in the coastal towns... a lettuce will cost €2 in the tourist areas, but just 40c in our village. MG is safely tucked away 6km inland while nearby Lagos, on the other hand, is a tourist mecca and it is not hard to see why... it is a beautiful old town with massive walls surrounding it and cobbled roads and tiled buildings within. Great to visit but me love to return to our retreat.

The tourist season doesn’t really peak for another couple of weeks yet... perhaps everyone knows how cold the ocean is in early July?? It is freezing... EVEN colder than Albany... truly! But even with less tourists around, we’re taking a bit of getting used to sharing the beach with so many others. The one benefit is that you’re totally anonymous here and so I’m wearing bikinis which I would never do at home!

We’re at the beach most days but we’re rarely out and about until about 11am ... and the kids don’t seem to be getting to bed until 9pm or even 10pm. They like to listen out for the village clock chiming while they are going to bed to see just how late it is! They also love to hang out the windows upstairs and watch the local kittens playing in the streets. I am just waiting for the day when they witness a crazy driver skittle one in front of their eyes. It could all end in tears!