Well I’ve got a bit behind as we have both been a bit unwell.

Tuesday did not go well.

Mike stayed in bed as needed to sleep and Barb and I went to breakfast. He was lying on the bed in the dressing room when I got up so just left my stuff open. We have both been waking and having coughing fits!

When I got back from breakfast, the cleaning lady was mopping the upstairs landing. I thought they came at lunchtime every other day so that was a surprise. Barb was keen for one of us to do the Covid test I had in my things so I decided to take it as was definitely more germy than her. We went downstairs (as felt a bit guilty that we might have covid – how strange. You don’t feel guilty that you might have the flu!). Anyway the cleaner came down with her stuff, looked at us and then went back upstairs with her mop. I did the covid test. Negative, although it might be expired and if so was still working enough to show negative. Cleaning lady left and Barb and I headed into town to get paracetamol and cough mixture.

We walked along this coastal track (not entirely health and safety approved) which gave great views out over cliffs and down to these caves. There are signs at the bottom about rock falls due to erosion but nothing at the top!

We found the pharmacy and got some excellent dissolving paracetamol tablets that are extra strength and some very good cough mixture.

We walked back up the roads but had a little diversion down our driveway where you can pick up the coastal track. We took a non-conventional direct route through some scrub and over a wire fence to get back into the property so I now have a scratched leg also 😂.

On return Barb and I decided to head to the pool. I took off earrings and bangle and then realised my jewellery case was sitting out on the side table in the dressing room. Normally I’d have it locked in my case but Mike had been in the room. One pair of gold earrings and my good necklace were gone. I hadn’t worn them in Portugal so have asked Mo and John to check but otherwise our cleaner was the only one to have opportunity.

I was furious with myself but that’s what happens when the routine gets broken. Both of us unwell and the bags left unattended while one is resting.

We had a swim. I tried to relax but was very upset.

We went along to the Tivoli hotel just a little along the way and had pina coladas on the rooftop bar. It was fun but pretty windy and their pina coladas were mainly ice.

We were going to have dinner there for a change but the snack prices dissuaded us and we went back to Pestana for another predictably good meal.