A perfect day

A brilliant day. Sunshine and breakfast with the bird man before we set off to walk west along the coast to meet up with fellow blipper Orchid99 for coffee at the Magic Tea House. We’d forgotten quite how far it was and how much the path went up and down but we arrived just a few minutes late and a bit out of puff! Lovely to see her again, she sensibly had got the bus!

A great catch up before deciding to move on for another drink and maybe some lunch.
This wonderful place with it’s lava pool lido and restaurant, Doca do Cavacas, was somewhere we visited on our last trip but only had a drink as we were walking further along the coast to Camara de Lobos but we vowed to come back to eat sometime as it looked fabulous. Today was the day. 
We all had simple but wonderful seafood. So glad we decided to do it, thank you for accompanying us Orchid99 and giving us the benefit of your experience 
A bonus was the tunnel/cave that continues beyond here through the rocks has been reopened, a long detour back up the hill and down the other side was needed before. It’s  lit inside but it’s a bit spooky hearing the booming sound of the sea and you do get dripped on. There are a few windows where you can look out to see the waves coming in below.

We weren’t continuing on today but walked back the way we came at a more leisurely pace.  Our main aim was to book a tour to the west of the island for later in the week. Too many to choose from but we’ve done it now for Friday.

Finished our afternoon in Santa Catarina gardens with a drink and lemon cake. I had two cups of lemon peel tea. I love it and it’s so simple. I've had an alcohol free day today after yesterday’s excesses!  There’s still time and there’s always tomorrow!

Two cruise ships of modest size were preparing to leave as we watched over the harbour in the last of the afternoon’s sun.

It’s been a perfect day!

In the background is Praia Formosa and Cabo Girao, europes highest sea cliff.