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November started pretty much the same as last month, Val jogging & swimming, days on beach etc.
Heating system is run off solar panels and the first weekend we had a lot of cloud (no sun) hence no hot water. Technician came and showed me how to overide the safety system so if we have problems with clouds and no sun in the future, I now have an idea how to fix it. At night we went for a walk into Lagos and found it a totally different place. During the day all the shops are open but with no lights, so you dont really see them. At night they have the lights on and it appears there are lots more shops - strange really.
Spoke to Sam before he shot off to Thailand for his Kick Boxing training. He appeared very nervous / excited but concerned about his journey time.
Spent a day at Praia De Rocha, Val on the beach and me fishing off the breakwater. At last I caught some fish albeit very small, but a catch is a catch eh!!! Drove up to a little bay called Praia de Vau, gorgeous little bay with a cafe on the cliff. Sat and had a drink here whilst watching the sun go down. Nights are getting cold now so we have started to take extra clothing out with us.
Got my first parking ticket. Thought it was free down by the marina after 6 oclock - wrong!!! Cost me 6 Euros so not too much of a disaster. Did however get a takeaway Chinese meal for tea.
Finalised everything at the bank and went off to pay the parking fine. Viewed an appartment (again in Porto De Mos - similar to this one) for next years stay, looks promising as price is right. Drove to Alvor beach for a spot of fishing, no catches though.
Spoke to my sister Susan to see if she was ok following her operation, seems as though all is ok even though she was dicharged before she should have been.
Went to local market in Lagos with Lyn, Gregg & Lyn's mum. Its quite big with lots of bargains if you are prepared to barter. Val did and got a leather jacket for 25 Euros, a handbag for 5 euros and some underwear quite cheal as well (she has taken pictures of it all so take a look on the blog. For the men out there, its quite a civilised way of shopping as all the stalls are in a circle WITH BARS IN THE CENTRE!!!!.
Gregg & Lyn invited us back for a BBQ and I managed to watch the rugger, only Wales being stuffed by Australia though but I did realize the one thing I miss out here is the rugby!!!
Spoke to Simon and Kirsty on Skype. They are having a great time and tommorrow they leave for Saigon and later to Cambodia. It was good to talk to them. Sam sent a text message saying he had damaged his ankle whilst training in Thailand, Scott later sent us a text saying that Sam was on crutches, bloody kids always a worry eh!!
Took a trip to Cape St Vincent and Sagres, the wind was blowing and the waves were coming 80 - 100 feet up the cliff face, awesome sight. This is most Southwesterly corner of Europe and it costs you 50 cents to go to the toilet, but some of the locals actually climb down the cliff face and fish off the cliffs about 50 feet above the water, very brave but stupid if you ask me, but food is food.
Went fishing in Alvor and met up with Lyn & Jeff (from Hull). Went for a drink at a local Portugeuse bar, everything seemed to be priced at 65 cents, beer, wine, cakes etc. We were talking about what we were going to do for the rest of our stay and I happened to mention bowling. Well, a woman on the next table jumped up declaring that Alvor had a great bowling club and we should join there. Her husband asked what level I played at as they had Internationals, county bowlers and club level players at their club, I didn't answer him, as I thought his question was ridiculous but I did tell them that we had joined a rival club (Park De Floresta) and left it at that. The next day at PDF, I was confronted by the manager who had been told by this woman at Alvor that he had "illegally" recruited International bowlers (I hadn't said what level I played at they just assumed because I didn't say antyhing)without giving them a chance to see other clubs (and I thought I had left all the politics back in England).
Lota of celebrations going on in Lagos, 550 years of Henriques (boy ruler) loads of people dressed up in medieval costumes and performing on stage in the town square. Lots of stalls selling freshly baked cakes, bread, new wines and roast chestnuts.
Joined a local gym, not quite the Connextion at Ryton, but we can raise a sweat for a reasonable cost. Planning to go each Tuesday and Thursday and Val will continue to jog along the beach each day (I will watch her).
The bowling club has "Practice" days on Mon, Weds and Friday, I aim to go Weds and Friday, Val will go on Fridays as she is'nt all that keen. We introduced Gregg and Lyn to it and they appear as though they may continue.
Cleaned up the apartment ready for Barbara and Richard to come out, only to get the shock news that their flight had been cancelled due to an aircrash in Birmingham. How unlucky can you be, they were at the door with passports in hand when they heard. They have booked to come out in March next year as compensation, fingers crossed.
Using Skpe quite a lot to talk to lots of people, it really is a wonderful tool to communicate with and it doesn't cost anything. Val talks to Julie in India, I get my sister Marelene in Scotland (she's 76 and has learnt how to do it), Scott & Sam in London and with Simon on his world tour, we talk to him whenever we can whichever country he's in - marvelous. Others are starting to use it now, try it for yourself and see.
Flew back to freezing cold England for Simon & Anne Halls wedding on 28th Nov. Would'nt have missed it for the world we all had a fantastic day, Scott and Sam came so we had a good catch-up and Aidie Hall (best man) was brilliant, kept his cool extremely well, well done. Had a catch up with June & Alf, Pete & Jane and Roulstons. Val drove off (hire car) to see as many friends as she could and we just managed to depart on thursday before the snow started again. It was soooooo good to get back to Portugal and the warmer weather.
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Andy Walker Sounds like your having a great time although I'm sure that fish looks plastic ! I'll have to come over some time & show you how it's done ! Keep in touch, Andy W