Victims of Stereotyping

Today is Saturday which means there are a few things on the agenda. At our brief meeting with the Jet2 rep we were advised to get weekly Covid tests done as theoretically we could be refused admission to restaurants, museums and the like if we did not have up to date tests. Our pre departure tests, taken at Boots in the Gyle Centre, will expire today so action is required. We spotted a testing tent down on the promenade earlier in the week and they confirmed that we could be tested there and that they would be open today. The day is sunny, with some light cloud and a much gentler wind than yesterday. 

On our way to the test centre we plan to drop off some laundry for a service wash. We pack this in one of those incredibly useful blue IKEA bags. As we pass through reception on the way out we are hailed by a formidable looking lady who is the representative of a Scandanavian tour company. She is missing some people for an excursion and thinks that we fit the bill. When we look perplexed she realises her mistake and says "Sorry, but you are carrying an IKEA bag."

The laundry drop off goes without a hitch and we head for the test centre. We pass a couple of test tents on the way with quite long queues but at ours we are first in line. The MadeiraSafe app that we registered prior to our trip is all we need to get booked in and we are dealt with efficiently. We walk into town to find breakfast and while we enjoy our rolls and coffee our Negative Test results are texted to us.

For this morning's tourism we have picked Armazém do Mercado, described as a former embroidery factory, that is now a thriving hotbed of pop up arts and crafts businesses, open on Saturdays. D's mapreading is slightly deficient but we get there in the end having walked along three and a half sides of the block. The entrance is down an alley, the door is open but once inside we realise that arty crafty types are still in hot beds elsewhere. The scant information available suggests that they will be in attendance around 11.30.

We opt for a stroll through the Old Town, which has narrow streets, lots of restaurants and some extravagently decorated doors. Most of businesses are in the process of setting up but we note a couple of places that may be of interest. Our meander takes us onto the seafront again where R spots another falcon, perching on a lampost. We stroll along the prom,  back towards the centre and stop for a coffee. We know that the Portuguse for espresso is bica, but today we learn that our preferred large black is called a chinesa.

It is now after 11.30 so we return to the hotbed. Most of the stalls have been opened up but there is only one solitary arty crafty type who appears to manage them all. There is a bit of art to look at but most of it is ambitiously priced. As breakfast was quite frugal and a long time ago R decrees that we need a substantial lunch. She has a birthday treat to call in and this is it. We ate at the Restaurante dos Combatentes on our last visit and enjoyed the meal. 

We also enjoy this one although the place is much quieter than four years ago. My plate contains a mixture of salted cod, potato and egg that tastes better than it looks. R goes for steak in mushroom sauce. 

After such a feast we manage to drag ourselves back up the hill to base. D recovers in time to go and reclaim the laundry.