Novembro has been muito bem, made up mostly of everyday life — expressive sunrises, rainy-day projects, and wandering the town after the storms. A handful of small moments opened like little doorways, leading us into the kind of low-key adventures that make the month feel full.
Pequenas aventuras e grandes calmarias.
Depois da Tempestade
Mid-November brought Tempestade Claudia, the kind of storm that sweeps through Portugal sideways — heavy rain, restless wind, and a sky that couldn’t quite decide what mood it was in. And then, just like that, the skies cleared up and the Rio Gilão was its usual post-storm shade of brown.
The skies turned moody and dramatic — layered greys, sudden gold, and a rainbow that makes you stop in the street.
Inside, the cats took full advantage of the returning warmth, stretching themselves into long luxurious noodles on the sofa as the sun poured through the windows.
There’s something about the calm after a storm here — like the town exhales, and we do too.
New Glasses
On a slow news day in November, we hopped over to Ayamonte, Spain, to order new glasses at a shop that came very highly recommended. (Still waiting on them, by the way.)
Alte Adventure
Alte is a small inland village in the hills of the central Algarve, part of the municipality of Loulé. It is considered one of the most traditional villages in the region. There’s history here: traces of Roman occupation, centuries of rural life, and a parish church whose foundations date back to the 13th century, with Manueline and Baroque layers added over time.
But what really defines Alte is water. Natural springs run through the village — Fonte Grande and Fonte Pequena — once the heart of daily life, now quiet, tree-shaded spots where you can watch the stream move over stone.
We headed to Alte because our friends’ son, his wife, and their baby live there, and it was the perfect excuse to make a day of it. With our friends as tour guides, we started by walking down to the waterfall. It was a steep descent and a literally breathtaking climb back to town.
At the heart of the village stands the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. The church dates back to the 13th century, though reconstruction carries elements from the 16th century onward, blending Manueline, Baroque, and Rococo styles.
After visiting with the family, we wandered through the village. Along the way, we followed the murals and painted tiles that line parts of the streets — pieces of local art tucked into the walls like small surprises. It was a perfect day in this enchanting village.
We finished with lunch at Paraíso do Algarve, just outside of Paderne — a simple, classic Algarve meal to wrap up the day.
Friendsgiving
With the pecan pies (two ways!) already done, we found ourselves with a free morning. Naturally, we decided to create our own 5K Turkey Trot on Praia Altura. The sun was out, the air was crisp, and we very confidently started barefoot. An awkward distance in, our feet were frozen and we questioned every life choice — but we kept going. We’re basically athletes now.
Along Algarve beaches and tidal flats, the sand hides its treasures — small clams like amêijoa-boa, or the long, slender longueirão (razor-clams). On low-tide walks like this one, it’s not unusual to see locals wading shallow water, up to their knees or waist, probing the sand for clams. This is exactly what we saw on this Thanksgiving day.
By 3 p.m., we were off to Friendsgiving for a festive feast — eighteen of us in all. Our hosts, Pam and Bob, worked their magic and got everyone around one long table. Bob opened with a handful of short, funny Thanksgiving stories — a signature move of his that we absolutely love. Before long, our smiles were overflowing just as much as our plates.
By the time Friendsgiving wrapped up and we’d said our goodbyes, November felt complete — full in that way only a month of simple routines and surprise moments can be. And almost overnight, Tavira began its yearly transformation. The lights flicked on, the trees went up, and the town slipped straight into Modo Natal.
More Portugal
Read more about daily life, the embarrassing moments, and the process for having a long stay in Portugal. If you are more of a picture person, follow me on Instagram.
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