Faro & Wendy in London

Today Wendy is flying to England for 4 days. We got up at 6 AM so we could leave by 7. It is about 45 minutes drive to the Faro airport. We checked online last night and it looks bigger that Moncton but much smaller than Montreal. We took the toll highway to get there as it is only 2 euro extra. Did not feel like driving the back roads this early in the morning. Very easy to get there. Wendy had not problem checking in. Her flight was 30 minutes late but all went well after that. She only took a carry on suitcase and had to put it in the size thing they have at the airport. Easy to stuff it in but hard to remove it afterward.

After I dropped off Wendy, I headed into the town of Faro. I found a parking stop near old town and walked to it. Old town is inside a castle wall. I explore it as the information center did not open until 9:30 and it was only 8:30. One nice church but there was a service and we could not go in yet. V Next to the church there was some orange trees. I asked an old man who was nearby if it was ok to have one by using hand signal. He said yes and something else. The orange was a bit sour, either it was an old tree and it was not ripe. It was very juicy. Walked outside as well and explored the surrounding streets as well.

At 9:30 I went to the information center and got a map of where to go. Mondays are a day off for museum so not everything was open. I went back to the church in old town and it was open. Visited a couple of park and the shopping district.

There was a couple of churches away from downtown, so I walked to them and visited as well. One of them I could not take pictures as there was people praying and it said silencio everywhere.

Stop at a small place and bought 2 fritters, One Salt cod, one shrimp, and a Chicken pastry. Very good and hit the spot.

From there I headed towards the beach to see what it looked like. Faro is surrounded by small rivers and marshes and then a long sand dune protecting it all. I stopped by the marshes and I saw a walking trail. I followed it for about 1 km and returned back to the car. I saw many birds. Spoonbills, coots, storks, sandpipers and a few other ones. Also saw some sand crabs.

Now went to the beach area. It is a very narrow strip of sand about 300 feet wide but very long. The beach side is one again very nice but it was also windy. People very surfing and kite surfing.

At one end there was lots of small fisherman’s houses and boats. You were not allowed to drive there and it was too narrow.

On the way out from Faro, I stopped at the football stadium to see if I could get more information on the rally that is going on this weekend. This is the headquarters for the rally. I got a brochure and hope to go on Friday.

I headed out around 6 to go get a ticket to go to Gibraltar tomorrow. First place had 2 for 1 sale. Not much help when you are alone. I walked to the strip which is about 20 minutes further. I got a ticket for 4 euros cheaper. I was looking for somewhere to eat but did not find anywhere on the strip that looked interesting. I ended up in old town and found a Portuguese place. Went all out tonight since I only had to pay for 1. Soup, calamari, dessert and a half bottle of wine. 9.5 euros which is about 13 Canadian.

Trip report now and then off to bed as I need to be at the pick up spot for 5:40 AM.

From Wendy 

 

Arrived in London safely, no problems with flying into Stansted, the first time I have been to this airport.  Ryan Air is an interesting airline, no frills to the max, it had been a while since I flew them and they are as picky as I remembered.  Found the train from the airport and underground to my hotel, the same hotel I stayed in last time so it was easy to find my way around.  Wow, London is under construction. My hotel is totally wrapped in scaffolding, I will try to take a picture and put it up.  I have also found out why there are no tourists in Portugal, they are all here.  It is very warm, and the tourists are out in full force, the streets are packed!!

 

Just back from dinner and a show.  I went to see Master Class with Tyne Daly, but you think I would know by now to go to something with a little more action on my first night.  The theatre was literally a 2 minute walk from my hotel, my favourite part about staying here, I am really in theatre land.  I bought the ticket at Leister Square where you get tickets at discounted prices, another place that is really undergoing a lot of construction.  The signs say it is supposed to be finished soon, but I can't imagine how. 

 

Off to bed, a busy day tomorrow, 2 clients to go and visit on opposite ends of town.  The joys of the underground, actually tomorrow I think I will be doing a lot of trains.