Richard Pickering's Blog: The daily routine review

On the way to the beach

We are starting to settle into a bit of a routine now so here is where you get the really boring day to day not much happening stuff. In the morning I'm down at the beach in time for sunrise with camera in hand hopefully ready to find something interesting to capture. Usually a walk happens somewhere during the day then back to the beach for me around sunset before dinner.

Remember - to see a larger image, click on the photo of your choice.

In the evenings some reading (Ruth), cleaning up in the kitchen (me) and then possibly a game of crib or listening to podcasts or music.

Old Town Albufeira in the distance

Michael gave me one of those small portable speakers - Jambox - which connects by bluetooth to my iPod, where I have stored a lot of CBC podcasts - Ideas, Tapestry, etc. as well as some music. So a pretty good store of evening entertainment in the absence of any TV or radio. There are two TV sets in the apartment but, like TV at home, not much to watch, and nothing in English.

So, this morning, Monday, it was cool but clear and following the mild storm last night, the ocean was demonstrating its power, vigorously pummelling and eroding the rocks on shore and creating lots of spray and spume.

I know these crashing waves images can be boring but I like them so I include them for me and anyone who might be interested.

This a good morning to try to get some interesting wave action images so I waited patiently for the "sétimo onda(s)" to make contact with the rocks at just the right time. (Sétimo onda means seventh wave and the conventional wisdom suggests that the seventh wave is the largest in a series of waves.) I made nearly 100 photos in the hour or so at the beach and was able to toss about 60 or 70 fairly quickly. Spent a good part of the morning working with the remainder and found a few worth keeping.

Plenty of foamy spume

"And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea gulls crying."

John Masefield.

Central Square in Albufeira

After lunch Ruth took the bus to the shopping centre to pick up some necessities and I walked into town hoping to pick up some maps for Portimão and Sétubal at the travel information centre only to find it closed! Open Tuesday - Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. So, I headed back toward home, stopping at the bakery along the way with vary dark rain clouds moving in - I managed to get to the bakery and home without getting wet. Took a few photos in town along the way, nothing too interesting but a couple included.