January started off very good with the weather, a bit blowey but that made the trips up the west coast even better and some of the waves were awsome. We explored the southcoast as well up to Carvoeiro and Figero where we found men fishing off the cliffs about 100 feet above the sea (how they can land anything of a decent size is beyond me.). I had been fishing on the harbour (along with some locals, to whom I gave anything edible that I caught) when along came the harbour police giving me a hard time about not fishing there, that my licence was not mine and I could'nt park there (the locals were also in cars and fishing but they had singled me out). I was told later it was probably some jealous Brit who had reported me to the police, so I have now found somewhere else to fish.
Whilst I was out bowling and fishing Val took on the project of painting the interior of the apartment (as requested by Rigsby), she needed something to do. We both went up into the hills though to have a go at fishing the the Baragem (lakes), but up there it had rained quite a lot and the sand had been washed down into the lake and turned it orange (not a good colour to fish for carp in).
At last (says Val) I gave in and we went to Lagos Zoo, lots of birds and monkeys (ok if you like that sort of thing), Val enjoyed it and she did take me for a few beers afterwards.
Got invited (for the first time ever) to a Burns night at the bowling club (George, the owner comes from north of the border). I was asked to make a speech which turned out to be "an ode to the Scotsman" so following my introduction (as Stuart MacRowley) I started my speech with - This is my ode to the Sweaty Socs. I did get out alive though. A good night was had by all with plenty of Haggis, neeps and mince & tatties.
Found a good place to fish at Salema and bought oranges at the roadside. These oranges are nothing like you get in the UK, they are excellent, full of juice, no pips and we are regular purchasers of oranges by the sack for 2.50 euros.