Prazer, Fevereiro

Pleased to meet you, February! It has already have been 12 weeks since we arrived on that rainy day in November. With all the gelato places still closed (see Não Gelato em Janeiro), what is it that we do all day? Here is our short list:

1. Worrying. We may appear to be in a happy bubble on this side of the world, but we can’t help but sit with dropped jaws at the news that trickles in.
2. Dehumidifying. After spending 11 weeks tossing our hands in the air about how long it takes for anything to dry here, we are proud owners of a dehumidifier.
3. Timing. For laundry, timing is everything. Laundry day is chosen by consulting the weather forecast to find the best chance of achieving fully dried clothing.
4. Biking. With a break in the rain, we’ve been out exploring different neighborhoods in Tavira.

Can we talk about the N125?

When asked where you live in Tavira, you get two main questions – which side of the river and which side of the N125. The N125 is a national road that runs along the northern and western sides of the town, and splits the historical center from the newer urbanizations.

The two main routes running across the Algarve are the N125 and the A22. Major roads like the N125 receive the N or EN designation. Autoestradas like the A22 (aka Via do Infante de Sagres) receive the A designation.

The N125 can be a rather busy stretch of road, and has no easy way to cross it on foot. Crossing it on bike is a bit dodgy too, but we are gaining confidence on that roundabout.

Biking Adventures

In December, we discovered the Rota Costa Atlantica which runs along the full Atlantic perimeter of Portugal. It starts in Vila Real de Santo António in the southeast and continues until Valença in the northwest. The route has 7 sections in the Algarve region, and Secção 1 is the 68 kilometer section between Vila Real de Santo António and Faro. This is the section we happened upon on in our early wanderings. Starting on page 22 of this guide are other trails we hope to explore.

Here are some pictures, and a 💎 highlight video showing this route.

Stormy & Salty

We have had some rainy and windy days. One day the wind gusts were up to 42 mph, and I remember the comic routine of waking up at 4am to wrangle the popup catio before it set sail off the balcony. The winds were so strong we, of course, decided to go out and wander around in the marshy area where the salt pans are.

Days of heavy rain caused a bit of flooding in some susceptible areas. Here is a picture of the very full and fast moving Rio Gilão after the rain.

Modern Cat

Our apartment is decorated in modern cat. Following the original purchase of a very tiny and rickety cat tower, we ordered another one off of Amazon Germany. It is much more medium cat size appropriate and both Melody & Maisy can comfortably stretch out.

If you ever purchased a cat tower, they arrive in pieces. Putting them together with Melody was something super helpful special as she popped inside of pieces as they were being built.

78% Humidity

When we first plugged in our dehumidifier we were shocked to see this high of a number. After running it for a couple hours, we got it down to 55% in the bedroom. But it is a losing battle because the humidity returns quickly. What to do, what to do?

Portuguese Lesson

When you meet someone, it is polite to say something like pleased to meet you. Here are two ways to do that:

• Prazer (pleasure). Prazer é meu (the pleasure is mine).
• Gosto muito which is literally “I very much like”.

Sometimes a literal translation from English to Portuguese doesn’t work. When you try to find to meet you will be led to the word conhecer (to know).

This week’s Portuguese lesson is courtesy of Melody who is doing really well walking on the leash these days.