Pomarão Sat 28th
Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Sat 28 Mar 2015 20:35
007:31.789W
Pomarão and the "XIII Festival do Peixe do Rio"
(13th Fish Festival of the River)
Pomarão has come alive today. The huge marquee (which Harry measured to be 100 metres long) was lined with stalls selling cheeses, meats, teas, and many other locally made things. We had a very pleasant wander around the stalls buying a few things, picking up interesting literature on the River Guadiana, and treating ourselves to a t-shirt. Harry and Isabelle also made a candle from used cooking oil.
Thankfully many friendly Portuguese speak immaculate English so assistance came to translate the lunch menu; we settled for a Feijoada, a dish made of beans with fish and shellfish (reminiscent of Brazil H!), Frito Enguia and Fried lamb in a bun (safe option if everything else was rejected). Panic set in when we realised Euguia wasn't fried fish but fried river eel but it was too late to change and we were terribly impressed to see Harry and Isabelle tuck into everything ~ it was all delicious, especially the eel!
Later on there was a demonstration of some very fast, loud, petrol-driven model power boats, we could only sit and watch, talking wasn't possible thanks to the noise.
Ice creams and waffles for tea whilst listening to the beautiful sounds of a local brass band. Sitting by the river in a life-saving breeze, we all agreed it was very special to be here and feel grateful that the timing of our visit should coincide with Pomarão's one big weekend in the year.
Back to TC for a swim and then the children had a row in the peace and quiet. We are anchored 500 yards from the marquee but can still hear the music which will go on well into the early hours.
Fireworks at 11.45pm...
