We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Lagos, and have never been bored.
A new initiative to hold a weekly informal meeting every Wednesday evening at 1930hrs at the Jardin das Dumas club behind the marina. Bar service and snack menu available. Sometimes talks are arranged on topics of interest.
We had not been in the marina long when one of the longer established 'residents' came around finding out who would be interested in a Christmas Dinner that was being organised (under the auspices of the Cruising Association), and also inviting people to come on a walk. These walks take place every fortnight, and are a feature of life at Marina de Lagos, and typically 20 or more people of different nationalities support any particular walk. Friends and contacts are also welcome. The duty of thinking of a walk, and communicating it, is taken in turns. The walk may be from the marina itself, or starts with a rendezvous at the bus or train station. They are not intended to be hard going, but are a way for people to informally meet others from different pontoons onto which they might never venture, and to talk about and swap plans, local intelligence, and experiences. In this they are incredibly effective as a 'mixer' without people incurring great expense.
We were delighted to be able to take out our bikes and to use them for a variety of excursions, towards the lagoon at Alvor via the beautiful beach Meia Praia, including three expeditions towards the Barragem da Bravura some 12kms north of Lagos, and along the cliffs towards Luz.
On one occasion we went to visit friends who lived near Algoz, taking the bikes on the train with us. We soon discovered that we paid more for the bikes than we did for ourselves! Subsequently we took the train to Silves, and walked. Silves is the historic capital of the Algarve and has a castle open to the public. It is accessible by river from Portimao with the tide under favourable conditions, stopping just short of the beautiful Roman bridge.
On Shrove Tuesday, we cycled over to Odiaxere, where there was a small carnival in process: all very informal and good fun. Several people went over to the much larger affair at Loule, north of Faro.
Lisbon is easily accessable by either bus or train. The road along the west coast to Aljezur is said to be very attractive, and Monchique is only about 40kms to the north. Golf, of course, is well provided for all over the Algarve (if you want to spoil a good walk).
The cultural centre boasts a very comfortable theatre. There are numerous activities taking place, usually not well advertised, if at all. The Orchestra of the Algarve is well worth listening to when they are playing. Students from the local Musical Academy give recitals which are free, and often of a very high standard.
The Cinema is situated in a small shopping complex, and screens films. These are often current released English language with subtitles.
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