Going back to Figueira da Foz.

 We’re back in Portugal for the Figueira da Foz annual chess tournament.

Yesterday we travelled: car to Manchester airport (thank you, daughter), some time sitting around the airport, plane to Porto, some time sitting in the plane before they finally opened the door to let us get off, a long, slow wait (thanks to Brexit!!!) to get our passports checked and stamped, taxi from Porto to Figueira da Foz (thank you, chess tournament organiser, Miguel). Initially we were stuck in traffic around Porto but after that it all went smoothly but lengthily. And it rained! It was a long day!

When we arrived at the hotel, there was a minor panic as the receptionist clearly wasn’t expecting us until today! Visions of sleeping on the street! A quick phone call to chess organiser Miguel put it right.

As we hadn’t eaten since breakfast time, I was looking forward to dropping our bags off and heading out to one of our favourite restaurants here, A Caçarola, for a bowl of their sopa de peixe, or crema de mariscos and a glass of white wine. Closed for holidays! I half expected that as it has happened on other occasions when we have been here at this time of year. Plan B: go to their sister establishment round the corner, A Caçarola 2. Closed for refurbishment! Good grief!

So we investigated another old favourite, O Picadeiro, which has gone a little upmarket since they refurbished a year ago. But they served us a nice crema do mar and a mixed salad. Since going upmarket they don’t have a house wine. How does a restaurant in Portugal not have a house wine? But they do sell their wines by the glass. So we had to select something from several alternatives that we weren’t familiar with. For the life of me I can’t remember what it was, but it was fine, just not quite so dry as we might have liked.

But with both Caçarola restaurants closed, I wonder what the chess organisers will do. As a rule they have an arrangement with those restaurants for chess players to have discounted meals on production of a “dinner ticket”. Which restaurant will replace A Caçarola? If only all life’s problems were so simple!

Today the sun is shining and it’s pleasantly warm. Once again our friendly chess organiser Miguel has worked his magic on the weather. I’ve been for a run along the sea front and back along the boardwalks on the beach. The beach here is huge and the sea seems miles away, rather like Southport but with better weather, especially in the summer, and waves big enough to attract the surfers. At the moment there is a small funfair, compete with ferris wheel. 

In years past the tournament was earlier in the year and we coincided with Hallowe’en and all its macabre decorations. Hallowe’en has been and gone this year and the place is decked out for Christmas already! 

So it goes.

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!