Summer 2010 II - Portugal

For the second stage of my holidays I went 10 days to Portugal to be with my family and friends. The days in Portugal were wonderful. My family’s Summer house is in front of the sea in a town called Praia do Pedrogao, not far from where my parents live (around 11km). The house is small but gorgeous. It has been in the family for four generations – it belonged to my great grand uncle, then my grand uncle, then it was inherited by my grandparents and now is owned by my mother and her brothers/sisters. The house is the ‘meeting point’ for the whole family (uncles, aunties, cousins) so it is always quite busy during the day.

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Beautiful sunset I

Beautiful sunset II

My mum's rice pudding - the best one in the world (guaranteed!)

This year I was lucky that the sea was good so the fishing boats went out to sea virtually everyday. That means fresh fish! One day I went to buy it from the fishermen at 11am, and by 1pm it was in our plate! It can’t be fresher than that!

The boat is about to be launched on to the sea

On the water...

Arriving...

The net is pulled

The two sides of the net are closed when the 'bag' is about to arrive - excitement grows

The net's bag has arrived!

Fish market on the beach - all the fish has to be sold on the beach staright after being caught

'Jaquinzinhos' / Carapau (Small horse-mackerel)

My mum cooking the 'Jaquinzinhos'

Look how small they are!

Me eating the 'jaquinzinho'. You eat them in one go (only the tail is not eaten). They are best eaten fried with tomato rice and lettuce salad.

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During my stay there was also the annual the local fete. The house faces the main square, where the entertainment takes place. In fact, the stage is right next to the house! While we have a privileged view, we also have to endure with loud music from 10am to 2am… not the best thing when you want to have some rest! This year there were four days of entertainment, with live music in the evening. During the weekend there is also day entertainment and the celebrations finish with fireworks on the Beach. I did not see this year’s fireworks, but a couple years ago I did and it is very beautiful. And because they are just in front of the house, we have a prime view of it.

View from the balcony: the crowd dancing

View from the balcony: singer 'Flor' and her Dancers Ines Gomes (Blond) and Eden Ricco (Brunette).