Baltazar

Woke in our little houseboat to the sound of rain falling, and it continued to fall all day. 

Decided, in the end, to go up the Algarvian hills to Alte, a picturesque village we'd been recommended. Foggy and raining, muscovy ducks wandering the cobbled streets and not much else.

This donkey is called Baltazar, and reminded us so much of this trompe l'oeil one at Odeceixe beach. (Baltazar, according to the Portuguese, was the black wise man who took myrrh to the Baby Jesus.) Talking to our family in England re the tightening up over Christmas... just doesn't feel at all like Christmas for us. Especially as we can't even go to church now; our Padre is still quite ill with Covid.

Now we are home on the Land, with the fire lit, and next step bed.

Gratefuls:
- these three nights away, it's been such a good break
- sunshine for the two days there, made all the difference
- superb breakfast this morning, eggs and smoked salmon and oat pancakes layered with fruit