"Life's better in Portugal" (Billabong, 2013)

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon), quoted by the chef and owner of an amazing, quaint little restaurant called 'Dom Carlos Restaurante' on our last night in Portugal, Albufeira. The Irish born, travelling, New York recipe-stealing chef is the most knowledgable person of food I've ever met, whilst simultaneously managing to host his 5-course restaurant. He fondly spoke of travelling but explained how he had not seen his own children for very long when/as they grew up. I guess he reminded us all we're pretty lucky to still be able to be together. If you ever find yourself in the Algarve, I can't recommend a place to eat as highly as 'Dom Carlos Restaurante'!

The restaurant front, Dom Carlos Restaurante

That was the end of the week though and on a lighter note -it was a good one and a chance for new experiences all round.

Monday: We chilled all day, in and around the pool. I've never seen nice metal shutters before, but they're popular on houses in Portugal, offering protection from theft and the blazing sun in a morning. The problem we found though, is that they completely black out a room, allowing for no sense of time and involuntary lie-ins! Charlie experienced mosquitos at their angriest in the evening. They bit his neck, leaving lumps which would leave any girlfriend back home worried... Jokes ensued from Dad and brothers promptly. Our first tourist activity was at 'Fiesa' - Portugal's sand sculpture equivalent of Madame Tussauds wax works in London, recommended #9 on the top tourist things to do if you go...

Tuesday:  We surfed at the Algarve's top surfing beach, driving to the most south-westerly point of Europe for the best waves. Definitely not the best person to don a wetsuit - but did so anyway on advice from the surf shack owner who reminded us this is the atlantic ocean… A good call! It was so good to be back trying it again after surfing in South Africa and Mexico years ago, Charlie mentioned today he's keen to go again too. After surfing until early evening, we drove to Sagres, the nearest populated town to take some family photos and check out the dozens of surf shops they had to offer. I resisted the urge to buy more white T-shirts and surf shorts… Proud moment.

Amado beach, South-West Algarve

George, Charlie and I at Armado (post-wetsuits)

Wednesday saw us chilling again, practicing my hand at piri-piri traditional barbecued frango (chicken) and reading around the pool, shopping after in Guia and dining out at a local restaurant recommended by Rhiain's boyfriend, Tom. We arrived at sunset to find a man planting brown paper bags along path ways and cliff tops, each glowing with a tea-light inside. There was a great atmosphere, bar and music at the restaurant, supported by the big queue outside and even split of locals and tourists. I must remember to find the cover played by a portugese woman singing Bob Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry'. Songs always help me to remember moments like these. The restaurant lived up to its expectation and we had a great night, thanks again to Tom for the recommendation!

Paper bag tea lights at the beach

Mum and me

Charlie walking to the cliff edge

Thursday was the most random day, with nothing planned at all other than the hope of jet-skiing. We left for lunch at Caroviero, visiting the touristy-town and heading for what we thought would be a quiet beach in the afternoon… We stumbled upon a tunnel, leading to a densely populated beach filled with locals, enclosed entirely by high cliff faces. Up the right hand side, led a winding passage with steps and tunnels leading to an open area, perfect for cliff-diving. I've seen loads of videos from Go-Pro and Red Bull on cliff diving and armed with a waterproof camera, decided we better make the most of the opportunity. I'm not sure where or who I've heard this from, but apparently "you should do something that scares you every day". This did  exactly that. My Mum watched from the beach, describing my splash as what looked like "a reverse colonic irrigation". Apologies for the mental image now, see images below for counselling!

View from the edge

 View from the beach

George diving

Third time barbecuing chicken after cliff diving - if I do say so myself - it was up there with Nando's quality!

Barbecuing piri-piri chicken, steak and chorizo on coals, with Corona

Almost done! Piri-piri chicken on coals

Not sure if I've mentioned the financial predicament we found ourselves in with transport either… A nine seater car was $150 per day and a five seater $30…. We're a family of six, so naturally we all took turns to sit in the boot. I would never normally advocate this, but it seemed right at the time!

My first five minutes in the boot, driving around the coast of Portugal

Friday was our last proper day and we spent it wisely; relaxing by the pool, shopping in the local centre for sunglasses and white surf T-shirts, before heading to the restaurant in Albufeira I mentioned previously. We toasted with green wine, only found in Portugal according to the chef, before heading home to pack and leaving early the next morning. 

Tonight, I'm meeting some Uni mates in Sheffield for a reunion we promised we'd tried to make at least 4 times a year. So far, we've had 4 in 3 months… Shouldn't be too tricky now we're all working and keen to re-live Uni days at any given opportunity!

Thanks again for reading, hope you've had a great week!

Tom

Hi, I'm Tom

I've always wanted to write my own blog. I have admired others who already do for some time, often reading random posts about something that interests me at a given time, rather than following a certain individual or regular blogger. These interests range from surfing, to teaching, photography and travelling, technology and rugby… I could go on, but as a introduction, these are a few of the things I'd assume define me!

So, back to my reason for writing my own blog. I have spent the past three years at University in York (an AMAZING three years). Here, I have witnessed blogging and its uses and popularity grow, whilst meeting some inspirational people, many of whom blog. Due to a busy university schedule, sporting commitments and various other inexcusable reasons, I have found it difficult to gain regular free time in which I can blog, as well as something focussed that anyone would be remotely interested in reading about!

Hopefully, this is now my chance. I have recently moved into an apartment, accepted my first post as a qualified teacher (NQT) and found some regularity in my days, as ironic as that may seem to anyone else in the teaching profession! This (optimistically) gives me the opportunity to finally write my own blog!

The current concept, is, to write about any significant events or experiences which occur in my life, whilst reaching several goals along the way. At the moment, these are mostly:

• Surviving my first year as a professional and as an NQT - both in and out of school
• Losing weight and getting fitter (a teaching related tale on why, in a post to follow)
• Reading more. I tell the kids to - MUST lead by example!
• Travel to and visit new places…. and surf more when possible

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, seen as you've kindly taken the time to read this:

• Blog more! The aim is, to post at least every sunday. (This means I can blog around Top Gear, and from what I understand in my first 23 years of life, people relax and browse most at this time?!)

I've been informed by my avid blogging housemate, awaywiththefairies-x, that pictures make these things more interesting, so here is a photo of me with my last Uni assignment! I promise they will get better!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, speak soon, Tom.