Pomarao, Rio Guadiana

Fiesta in Pomarao

Fiesta at Pomarao
Originally uploaded by Yacht Susannah

SATURDAY 3 MAY 2008

I had a shower in the village and Roger had to sort out a pipe on the engine that had got twisted when he was trying to sort out the water problem. We went to the village fiesta with Dennis and Wendy where we met the Dutch people in the campervans. We were made very welcome, and Manolo introduced us to his girlfriend. Yap was there with his girlfriend (who was about 75). We sat opposite a girl of 15 who spoke excellent English. The food was excellent with cheese and chorizo, followed by a sopash made of bread, lamb stock, and mint, which we then mixed with a stew of lamb, mint, and beans. There was also free wine and coffee – all for 6 euros! Speeches were made about trying to make sure the ‘Association’ continues, as the fear is that the company who looks after the old mine’s real estate could close it down. Manolo played his guitar and sang, and others joined him singing Portuguese folk songs.

A van appeared with two live sheep on it. Maria was Bar-B-Queuing chickens and I asked where the sheep had gone. She said they were in the shed and would be cooked later, along with the little pig that was in a drum nearby!

We were beginning to feel that we could stay here for a long time, so Roger said we had better set off in case we never left!

We got the afternoon tide at 4.30 p.m. and motored the 6 miles down to Alcoutim. John and Carol, and Verna and Anna are still at anchor there. We berthed on the pontoon and filled up with water, then wandered around the village. It seems like a metropolis after Pomarao, with cafes, a bank, a tourist information centre and a few of shops. We’re back in the land of the custard tart, so Roger had to continue his research into which are the best custard tarts in Portugal.

Alcoutim Pontoon costs: 7.50 euros per day for the first week, 12.50 euros per day after the first week. Water and electricity, toilets but there are only cold showers.