Sunday 11th July (Lini’s Journal)
Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Sun 25 Jul 2010 23:29
this morning! Far from climbing Monte Brasil as planned he looked like
he should have a lazy day in bed. I really don’t think we should leave
tomorrow unless he is much improved. The forecast is for winds too
light to sail anyway. I put my assertive head on and suggested a
gentle walk up through the gardens to the view point by the São Pedro
monument. How could I not take hundreds more photos?
The gardens were as lovely as I remembered them and we sat on a
bench eating our lunch looking up to the Angra Garden Hotel trying to
spot the wonderful room we stayed in four years ago with such a great
view. It was a slow plod up past the monastery, stone pond and pretty
stone steps; my legs too were a little achy after all the running from
bulls last night and months of inactivity. I had forgotten just how
stunning the panoramic view was from the top and what made it so
special. Perhaps it was the mainly cream buildings with the uniform
toned pinky terracotta roofs and cathedral; perhaps the pretty
coloured churches dotted around the parishes; or perhaps the marina,
harbour and blue sea beyond edged by Monte Brasil. We sat and savoured
what lay beneath us while life came back into our legs.
Back in the town square we joined others lining the benches and
filling the open café, sipping coffee, eating ice cream, dancing
silver birch adding pretty glistening movement in the breeze from
above. My heart was heavy; I don’t want to leave. Once again there has
not been time to see and do all we’d like to.
This evening was the world cup football final between Holland and
Spain. There are many Dutch boats in the marina, some we know from our
travels, and although not footy fans we decided to join in the fun.
Outside tanned, blonde haired children held their own match. A sea of
orange shirts, balloons and horns met us at the bar when we arrived at
half time: Score 0 – 0. We ordered G&Ts and pulled chairs up behind
our Norwegian neighbours with familiar faces dotted amongst the crowd.
It was a jolly atmosphere and even the waiters wore inflatable orange
crowns to keep the paying customers amused. I guessed that most of the
Portuguese would be supporting Holland anyway. Despite a win to Spain
the Dutch applauded the final score and happily turned from footy
supporters to evening diners: And so did we.
It was Si’s last chance to escape low fat dinners for a while and
his veal in creamy sauce looked delightful. My swordfish was cooked to
perfection too and I ordered fresh local pineapple for dessert just in
case there are still none at the market tomorrow. Oh how tender and
sweet these tiny beauties are. We are assuming they are out of season
here as the only ones for sale are from Costa Rica. Although tired,
well fed and under the influence of alcohol our last night before a
couple of weeks at sea was a restless one as usual.