Deserted Island

We are home, and it feels good.

But, before we hit the road, we woke to such a sunny day, decided to take the ferry to Ilha da Barreta, or Deserted Island, the outermost of the barrier islands in the Ria Formosa. There was some controversy a few years back about the government trying to get the few inhabitants to leave the island so they could turn it into a nature reserve/tourist attraction, but haven't been able to find anything on the Net. The guy I talked to said just one fisherman continues to live there, we saw his shack.

Halfway along the beach, there is this rather strange marker to show continental Portugal's southernmost point. After that, you walk along a meandering boardwalk (in extra) for miles, but it really is lovely, and a rather pleasant smell of curry pervades the air, from the plants. Loads of birds, almost no people. Do go if you're ever in the area. Five euros for the 45 minute catamaran ride to get there, us and two other couples today.

Gratefuls:
- this unexpected treat, have wanted to do it for years
- rain (we did get wet, but not too cold) and rainbows
- Mike's safe driving, as ever