PORTUGAL

Location - South west Europe; Capital - Lisbon; Population - 10.2 million; Currency - Euro MORE PORTUGAL

After Albufeira it's an easy train ride to Tavira in the eastern Algarve, changing at Faro, after which I visited other towns along the coast, including the gorgeous setting of Cacela Velha - October 2020.

A recent version of the 10 Euro note

The town of Tavira has a pretty good location on the River Gilao

Next to the river is Praca da Republica and its cafes - Tavira

Grand buildings on the walk from the train station to the riverside - Tavira

The old town is set on a hilltop south-west of Praca da Republica - Tavira

The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo lies opposite the castle ruins - Tavira

Behind that church is this one, Santiago Church, reconstructed following an earthquake in 1755 - Tavira

The view from the castle walls - Tavira

Feline (?) street art in the old town - Tavira

Cross the River Gilao via Ponte Romana, or Roman Bridge, a reconstruction dating to the 17th century - Tavira

There's a wealth of cafes and restaurants on the eastern side of the river - Tavira

Take your pick of dining options at this main square - Tavira

Back on the western bank, the rather run down bus station is set on an attractive part of the river - Tavira

The very calm waters of the Gilao River, as seen from near the bus station - Tavira

Frequent ferries take the 25min trip to Tavira Island, part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park - Tavira

Salt mounds are a common sight in this region - Tavira

The ferry ride to Tavira Island - Tavira

Fishing on the Gilao River - Tavira

The beach starts just metres from the ferry landing in the north of the island - Ilha de Tavira

Tavira Island Beach and the lighthouse - Ilha de Tavira

It was a lovely long walk along the beach and the Atlantic waves to the next settlement at Praia do Barril, about 4km west - Ilha de Tavira

Again, coronavirus and the shoulder season meant visitors were very low - Ilha de Tavira

But just as I think no-one's around, an unfortunate souvenir of 2020 appears - Ilha de Tavira

Praia do Barril had more signs of life - Ilha de Tavira

Behind the beach is the Anchor Graveyard, a memorial to its one time fishing industry - Ilha de Tavira

There's plenty of room for an outdoor meal and drink at Praia do Barril - Ilha de Tavira

Ria de Formosa Natural Park consists of several long, narrow islands that form a protective barrier to the mainland, stretching along the Algarve from just west of Faro and eastwards to Cacela Velha - Ilha de Tavira

Behind the islands are a series of calm lagoons and waterways full of nature - Santa Luzia

It's a 10min walk - or a 1km mini-train ride - from Praia do Barril across the island, then over a pedestrian bridge to the mainland at Santa Luzia

Santa Luzia is known as the octopus capital of the Algarve, which is on all the menus of waterfront restaurants

The protected waters of Ria Formosa are calm and tranquil - Santa Luzia

Are they eyeing up supper? - Santa Luzia

A stack of octopus pots lie behind a row of fisherman huts - Santa Luzia

The attractive Guadiana River waterfront at the border town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Several jellyfish were swimming around the marina (but not the Portuguese Man-o-War) - Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Spain lies across the river but the town focuses on the marina and this square, Praca Marques de Pombal - Vila Real de Santo Antonio

There's many appealing outdoor cafes and restaurants close to and on the square - Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Farmland and countryside on the outskirts of Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Cacela Velha is a tiny place on the coast, located between Vila Real de Santo Antonio and Tavira

Behind the church are superb views of the Ria Formosa Natural Park - Cacela Velha

The waterways, sand bars and island barriers of Ria Formosa - Cacela Velha

Again, the inland water is so calm and tranquil - Cacela Velha

You've gotta love scenery like this - Cacela Velha

The beach looks so remote and Robinson Crusoe-like, but very easy to reach; this section's actually part of the mainland - Cacela Velha

Directly opposite Cacela Velha is Cacela Velha beach, separated by the lagoon

Fishermen's boats in the quiet lagoon waters - Cacela Velha

Prickly pears are part of the cactus family (of course) - the fruit is edible and widely available in many parts of the world - Cacela Velha

Walk down a sandy path to the water's edge - Cacela Velha

It's such a picturesque area, try and get here if you're in the region - Cacela Velha

Small boats ply the quick journey across the lagoon to Cacela Velha beach - Cacela Velha

There were very few people on Cacela Velha beach, though I'm sure it gets busy in the height of summer - Cacela Velha

Salt evaporation ponds, or salt pans, are commonplace east of Faro

Salt water is pumped into pools where the water evaporates naturally, leaving behind the salt which is then harvested - east of Faro

Silves Castle and the Cathedral come into view as I make my way from the train station into the town of Silves

The ancient Roman Bridge crosses the Arade River to the centre - Silves

A running man in Parque Ribeirinho - Silves

Silves is on the Algarve trainline but very much inland, 6km north of Lagoa

A fantastically eclectic, arty bar is the Art'aska lounge cafe. It's stocked with loads of local, craft beers as well as having a gelataria. Plus chairs on the ceiling, typewriter and sewing machine displays and this settee area, very much like your living room - Silves

Beer barrel urinals at the Art'aska, like it! - Silves

Standing outside the castle is King Sancho I, who conquered the town in the 12th century - Silves

It was a horrible, wet and windy day but, like me, this family were going to enjoy it come what may - Silves

The 12th century cathedral (the Portuguese for cathedral being sé), as seen from the Misericordia Church (Church of Mercy) - Silves

In October storks were everywhere in Silves, usually nesting on top of telegraph poles or high walls

Still love you, call me. Needs a phone number though? Graffiti in the old town - Silves

Praca do Municipio is a small town square overlooked by a very grand looking cafe - Silves

Bringing brightness to those humdrum electricity boxes - Silves

These machines had burgers and kebabs to go, which sounds like searching for a dodgy stomach to me - Silves

Love the colours - Silves

A stork (top left) guards the 15th/16th century Cross of Portugal - Silves

A face laughs at me at the train station, maybe cos it was cold and wet. I checked the station clock while waiting and the second hand started to go backwards! Stuck in a time warp, something straight from Groundhog Day or The Twilight Zone - Silves

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LINKS

www.algarve-tourist.com - a guide to the Algarve

www.cp.pt - Portuguese trains, buy tickets online

Rede Expressos is a nationwide bus company, though as I write their website's not working. Google it

www.visitportugal.com - Portugal tourism website

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.