Tavira: signs of Autumn

The view from my window at the Pousada shows leaves that are beginning to turn brown. I went for a walk this morning along the River Formosa. The water level was really low, so that oysters could be seen clinging to the “Roman Bridge”. I spoke to a woman walking 3 dogs, a greyhound and 2 Spanish hunting dogs. There is no greyhound racing in Spain, but plenty of hunting. The woman was Italian, but living here in Tavira with her dogs. The Spanish breed is more tolerant of cats, apparently.

After that, I did a bit of shopping (pressies for those back home) as this is my last stop in Portugal. Cork shops abound, and they make it into all manner of products: shoes, handbags, coasters, belts - you name it!

View from my window.

Dogs by the River Formosa.

 

Low water by the “Roman Bridge”.

Looking upstream from the bridge.

There is a little museum dedicated to the history of water supply in Tavira. It is housed in a small building which was formerly the pumping station:

The Moors took advantage of the abundant springs and this continued after the Christian conquest. I think these are 5 historic water spouts, but they are not spouting now:

Before there was a pumped water supply, water carriers distributed water on carts.

All in all, I find Tavira a very agreeable place and ten times better than Lagos (which was full of tourists and touristy shops). I really only went there because of relics of the slave trade, Lagos being the first place that slaves were landed in Europe.

Cork shop.

Market Hall.

Gate into the old town: steps of course, cobbled. Anyone coming to Portugal needs good walking shoes; sandals are no use here!

This is a newer model of my Prius: I wish! But all my spare cash is spent on travelling...