Cedo

Early.

The family had a relatively early departure to Manchester so we met for breakfast at the crack of dawn. I walked from Quarteira to Vilamoura enjoying the hues of blue and orange of daybreak, the tables being set out at the pastelarias and contemplative old men smoking and staring out to sea. Even the fish market was only just cranking into action as I passed.

After waving goodbye to the family as their coach departed to Faro airport, I read on a bench in the sun. A Frenchwoman’s hat blew off in front of me and true to form she exclaimed ooh la la.

I had to wait a few hours for a train, so I visited a fantastic exhibition on the history of Quarteira and then decamped to a Brazilian cafe for a huge glass of açãí, granola and condensed milk.

The train journey back to Lisbon was slow and lumbering and we really did crawl into the city. I rode the metro to my lodgings, grateful that I have an additional three days before having to travel back to work.