Fisherman's Traill to Praia De Odeciexe

It's been a while!  To those that stopped by for my 1500 blipday waaaay back on 15 May, those that still follow and comment, thanks so much, it's appreciated.  I usually try and keep a journal/diary of my holidays on a day to day basis but this time, when there was wifi, was either exhausted or there wasn't wifi when could have written and posted an entry.  Hey ho, that's how it goes and now back home after such a fantastic time will try and remember as it's good to look back and read what happened on that day.

After a lovely meal in Odeciexe village last night and a great nights sleep in the peace and quiet, was up for breakfast at 9am.  It was a feast of fresh fruit, home made yogurt, freshly made bread or cake, pastries, meat and cheese, cereals and freshly squeezed orange juice.  So tasty.  We had a chat with the German family from Hamburg who were there with their two teenage girls mainly walking in training for their walk through the Italian Alps in July.  Really chatty mum and she told us about the Fisherman's Traill to Praia de Odeciexe, 6 miles away following a path through the countryside.  We decided to do it and set off walking through beautiful countryside, fields full of every colour of wild flowers.  Part of the way was following an old canal which also I suppose feeds water to the fields.  The Alentejo region isn't so touristy at the moment, (that's why we like it)  it's the region of farmers and already there are potatoes getting harvested. 

We were almost at the beach and walked down the windy road and stopped off at a little cafe where we sat overlooking the sea watching the surfers ride the waves of the Atlantic.  We had our first Pastel de Nata and coffee and listed to some blues music - it set the scene perfectly.  Had a walk down to the beach afterwards - the sand was glorious and I could already feel myself chilling and all the stresses and strains of everday life relaxing out of my shoulders.  Why not, the sun was shining - had the whole holiday ahead to enjoy and explore new places and there was no need to rush around.

We headed back a different route along a coastal path before joining up with the Traill later.  On this path we met a lady from Quebec called Melissa, who was 37 and was having a three week walking tour of Portugal.  She had three young kids at home but felt the need to spend time on her own for a while.  She was using Airbnb to stay with Portugese families, taking a room in their houses and eating with them and had only good things to say about her two weeks so far.  We walked about  20 mins chatting to her before we wished her well and split off on a different path.

There was much in the way of nature, to see on the way back, loads of different birds flying close by and again, the wild flowers and the fields full of vegetables and under cover we saw peanut plants.  In one of the fields there was an old man with a mule pulling a plough tilling the earth.  (Extras). 

Arrived back at Monte du Cardal very hungry and met Phillipe and asked for a sandwich and a jug of fresh orange.  We lay on the comfy long beanbags at the pool waiting the food and drink and it was taking ages.  He appeared and apologised saying that he had to make the bread as there was none left.  Isn't that lovely.  He did say yesterday when we arrived that while guests were there, they were family, it was also our home too.  That's was so welcoming.

Anna, the other owner recommended us to a fish restaurant in the next village called Arrifana that morning and had booked us a table for 7.30 so we got ready and drove the 20 minutes to get there.  As we drew up there was the most spectacular view from a viewing platform of the rocks and the sun on it's way down we stepped from the car to take some pictures, which never do it justice really. 

Had one of the specials which was a sharing pot of Monkfish, prawns and clams in a stew with rice in the pot too, with fresh bread.  Oh wow it was amazing.  The fish had just been caught that day so fresh as can be.  Delicious.  One of the best meals of the hols.  On the next table was two German families who I think had been surfing.  There were five children and what amazed me that they were all tucking into shellfish and clams and savouring the fish, I've never seen kids love dishes like that anywhere, the juices were dribbling down their chins! 

The steps walked that day were over 24000 and collapsed into that big comfy bed  hearing the crickets and frogs in the distance and no other sound!  Bliss.