Grateful in Tavira

Wonderful, restorative day.
Toasted cheese, tomato and oregano sandwiches for breakfast at the café on the main square, sitting in the sunshine and reading a paper.
Long walk along the old salt flats to the end of the peninsula.
Ate samphire, both wild and in a restaurant, with clams.
Walked by some rusty old ships and a dredger (extra), and screamed when a rottweiler-type dog lunged at me, which I think scared him, so his teeth only bruised me... thankfully, he was tied up, but it took a while for my heartbeat to slow down.
Saw flamingos in the distance.
Startled a kingfisher as we walked, saw the flash of iridescent blue along the edge under us.
Caught the small ferry out to Tavira Island.
Sat in the sun again, with a beer, served by a Brazilian from Ceará.
Clouded over.
Saw a row of cormorants sunning themselves on the sea wall.
Walked out to the port navigation light at the entrance to the estuary, and back along a path, perfumed by white flowers (extra).
Saw one of the ferrymen haul in an octopus in a basket, stab it dead, clean it out, ink spilling along the jetty, and put it in a bucket.
Ate probably the most delicious chocolate mousse ever, made with half carob, sprinkled with salty, crushed nuts.
Had a great nap.
Now the sky is pink, the tide is down, and we're off to Faro to collect Paul, our son, his flight actually left early.

Gratefuls:
- all the above, plus more...
- mugs of tea in bed
- a companion to share it all with

Nb. the building paraphernalia in the photo is because they are replacing the "temporary" bridge, built by the military 27 years ago.