Portugal had not, until today, proved the idyll that I had expected and then we went to the home of a guy that R had employed as a teenager. He’s grown up now and owns a smallholding in the Algarve to which we were invited.
He had lived for a few years in a beautifully converted van but now has renovated a gorgeous little farm house with wonky walls and stone floors. He is managing the land in a very eco friendly way and showed us all his projects which he is managing on a shoe string. The day we arrived he was replanting his avocado trees that had been dug up by wild pigs. We tasted fresh physalis which were so different than in the shops, really fresh and lemony and sat overlooking the valley where the view changes daily.
He took us into the local village and we had the most amazing barbecue with the best chips I have ever eaten (even R agreed) and made me realise that there is more to explore in Portugal and to stop being so precious about the loos. He built his own out of bamboo and made a hot shower out of 200 metres of black pipe and it has the most fabulous view. I am properly humbled.