The final two weeks were spent getting ready to leave. Erica had to be prepared with all her gear back on board and all safely stowed. All food had to be either eaten or discarded. However, we managed to drink all the alcohol on board without having to give any away.
We had a farewell barbecue a week before we left, which was very enjoyable and the next day's hangover was worth it. We will miss the friends we have made here.
We also enjoyed some last walks to Salgado and back along the beach. Since part of this walk takes us along the naturist beach and it was a hot day, we also managed to fit in a quick skinny dip.
Three days before we left we had a drink in the port's fisherman's bar with our friends. It seemed an appropriate venue since, being close to the boatyard, we had not only had many a drink there but had also bought bread rolls, beer, tonic water, ice creams and other essentials. We said a fond farewell to Lena, the owner, who had introduced me to the refreshing "black beer and grazinia".
Two days before we left we packed up Erica and said, " Goodbye and see you soon," and set off with our bags packed, and our covid tests done, for two nights in an airb'nb in town.
After that it was a 7 hour bus journey to Faro for the plane home. To be fair, the 7 hours included a 2 hour stop in Lisbon, where we had lunch in the bus station cafe. (Airfares from Lisbon were over £200 and we would have had to fly to Stansted and get a train to Wales whereas Faro to Cardiff was £9, albeit £60 for baggage not included.)
The airport hotel was a 10 minute walk away from the airport and had a swimming pool for one last swim in the sun.
Goodbye Portugal. You have provided a great place of sanctuary in these past two covid years. Goodbye to our 6 years of sailing in the sun. We are off for a new adventure in Wales but we will return with a refurbished Erica ready to begin a new adventure before too long.
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