Feb 8 2018

IMG 6295 When I was packing to travel to the Algarve region, I (first pack) assumed it was warm. Then on the evening prior, I checked the forecast! Wow! A record breaking cold front was moving through over the Iberian peninsula. While I was in flight from Geneva to Seville, it was snowing (and sticking) in Madrid. I snapped this screen of temperatures (on my phone) while on train to the Geneva airport. IMG 6296 I rented a Fiat 500 from Sevilla airport and wove my way around the city. Soon I was on a big empty highway. IMG 6297 On both sides the landscape was highly productive: Orange groves for miles, then to vineyards, and in some sections, miles of long plastic tubes (greenhouses) covering fruits and vegetables for Northern Europe. I was reminded that a high proportion of the produce available in Switzerland is from Spain. IMG 6298 Reassuring signs led me to the Portuguese border.
IMG 6301 This bridge spans the two sides (Porotuguese and Spanish) of the Guadiana Rivier. IMG 6303 Once in Portugal I stopped in at a grocery store and found many of the same foods we had in Madeira. Cheese cake is in center. I purchased a package of marinated Tremoços, or Lupini Beans (soaked in brine for two weeks), and local wine. IMG 6304 I closely associate this with the Iberian peninsula but I don't see much livestock (in the areas where we have been traveling over the past year) IMG 5401 I used directions they provided (with caution, explaining that they have had difficulty with the address) and drove straight to Maggie and Alan's apartment between Portimao and Alvor. Upon my arrival, we raised glasses to our coming adventures (and the start of their making southern Portugal their new home)
IMG 5402 Maggie prepared salmon, spinach with slivered almonds and sweet potato chips for dinner