Vindima 2014 14th October

Sunday saw the start of our detox with a light breakfast and a long walk along the seafront towards Povoa de Varzim. We walked the length of the harbour arm

Atlantic Rollers at Vila do Conde

before heading back. Dot was delighted to find her favourite crystallised pumpkin amongst other goodies in Lidl. After we got back to the hotel I was too whacked out to do anything else but Dot managed a short swim. We returned to Les Villagoises for dinner and found a shared plate of veal between us was ample.

On Monday we had to pop back to Porto to meet up with Oscar Quevedo to talk about his ports and wines. He gave us some samples to try which we will have to have before we leave on Wednesday as our cases are copies to our weight limit. In the afternoon I managed a long swim. That evening we ate in a different place right next to the public auditorium called Republica where we were allowed to wash our bacalhau down with Oscar's white and no corkage was charged. We were delighted with this wine's crisp and fruity nature.

This morning called for a serious workout in the revamped gym here at the Santana. All the equipment worked apart from the clapped out rower that had been kept for some odd reason. I worked up quite a sweat in the course of two hours. In the afternoon we tried in vain to find some lemons for Dot to take home. We ended up in a favourite pastelaria where Dot had a port, a cake and an ice cream. I played safe with a beer and lanche quente. After all that exercise it was time for a rest! Tonight we are planning on having Oscar's red wine with a bit of duck back at Republica because we thought it was such a great restaurant. Let's hope this red proves to be as good as the white.

Sorry about the lack of photos in these last two posts but my camera still hadn't dried out after its dousing in Porto. Tomorrow it's back to Blighty time.