Ah, but that’s an easy question! For me, it’s wandering the streets of Tavira in the Eastern Algarve, and discovering another of its many treasures. Poking around in the side streets, where I might find an entrancing azulejo panel. Turning a corner to find a church unexpectedly open, laying bare its lovely contents. Observing beautiful shadows against a crisp white wall, and night time dramatics in a dimly lit square.
Or it’s finding exciting new ventures, like Bau de Barro. Local artist Vanessa Goncalves has retained the original structure of this former grocery store, and crammed it full of original artwork and sculptures made in Tavira and the Algarve. It’s easy to find, right by the old mercado on the riverside.
While just across Ponte Romana, Violeta designs and makes original clothes in a tiny shop on Rua 5 de Outubro. Cor de Violeta (the colour violet) also has hand painted wooden jewellery by locally born artist Beluska and a lovely range of shoes.
I’ve never seen a more satisfied expression than when my husband has cleared his plate of pavlova in Bica’s restaurant. Satisfaction takes on a whole new meaning! (and just occasionally he’ll let me share) Me, I’m happy with a few paper flowers.
Over to you!
restlessjo 
Pure satisfaction was last night having a very yummy picnic with good friends in Stanley Park and then heading to a “Theatre Under The Stars” production of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and laughing ourselves silly. A perfect summer evening’s entertainment!
Alison
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That does sound good! Life can be amazing at times, can’t it? 🙂 🙂
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It sure can 🙂
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J > A few days ago, it was completing shearing (with traditional handshears) our sheep, and the wool and the sheep themselves bearing testament to hard work and growing skills. Today, it was picking the last of the gooseberries for this year.
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Gooseberries? Be still my beating heart! Gooseberry crumble and custard, please 🙂 🙂
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😊
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Spending time with grandchildren (10 days in France coming up), a good golf shot and my monthly pension cheque!
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I could have guessed at least 2 of the 3, Andrew. Have a great time with the grandies 🙂 🙂
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I have packed double supplies of Diazepam!
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🙂 🙂
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very charming place, Jo. love the canopy of paper flowers 🙂 i’m easily satisfied. simple and ordinary things make me happy. even just a smile can go along way in me. 🙂
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I think I knew that, LolaWi. You have a beautiful soul. 🙂 🙂
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Lovely photos Jo!
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It’s such a lovely place, my second home. 🙂 🙂
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That pavlova is it 🙂 And wandering aimlessly through the streets of atmospheric towns. We are more alike than we realise 🙂
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You’ll have to fight dirty to get your share of the pavlova. It’s Mick’s favourite thing in all the world (unless you count his football team 🙂 )
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What gives me satisfaction has to do with being in nature – a wonderful wildlife encounter or a majestic view in a National Park, atoll, underwater, of a sunset or a starry sky, or an ocean soothing my busy mind.
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I don’t do underwater (unless by submarine 🙂 ) but any of the others sound good to me, Liesbet.
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Oh, there are many things which bring me satisfaction. What are your highlights of Algarve?
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How long do I get to answer that? Tavira is a jewel in itself. Silves and Alte are 2 of my favourite places inland. Armona is my favourite offshore island. The west coast has stunning wild beaches. Should I go on? 🙂 🙂
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It’s very satisfying reading your posts and enjoying your photos. Sharing the pavlova would have been even more of a pleasure 🙂
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Flatterer! 🙂 🙂 You’d have to fight Mick for that bit but the waiter in Bica is a sweetheart. He always gives us two spoons. I think Meg and Sue are booking flights 🙂 Not at the hospital today, or Scampston?
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Not anywhere! Weather dull and rainy, head dull and achy. Thought I might just go to Clumber Park, but now I think I shall just rest. Feel soooo tired!
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Bit miserable here too. Mick had a job in Durham so I went with. Half intended to go to York on my own. There’s an event in the Treasurer’s House garden today and a walking trail I want to follow. When I looked at cheap tickets I couldn’t go till 10.15 and had to get the 3.15 train back. 😦 Going to tai chi in a minute. Put your feet up, hon. Might have a dose? 🙂 🙂
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I get satisfaction viewing your beautiful photographs, Jo!
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You say the nicest things, Jill 🙂 🙂 Thank you very much.
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Love your satisfaction thoughts and photos! I’d agree with those too 🙂! Satisfaction for me might be finding that perfect gift for a hard to buy for friend or family member or finding a hidden and unexpected gem on the road🙂
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I’m hopeless at buying presents but I’m good at window shopping. 🙂 🙂 And the other half usually carries the money 😦
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Ha! I have to really think about “the perfect gift” forever!!
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Great post! Satisfaction for me is to travel, and enjoy and learn about new cultures.
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Travel is my first love, but don’t tell my husband. (though I suspect he knows 🙂 ) Thank you!
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Oh what a magnificent pavlova, and so many lovely views to go with it, Jo. Can well see why this place has stolen your heart.
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It’s not a hard place to go back to, Tish. The hard part is sitting Mick far enough away from the cake cabinet that he can concentrate on the rest of his meal. 🙂 🙂
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I know someone like that too!
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They can fight over the sweet trolley while we natter 🙂 🙂
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Jo, thank you so much for sharing the delights of East Algrave – the photos are lovely and I’ve enjoyed slowly walking through them whilst reading your words. The paper flowers are beautifully whimsical and magical, as a fan of jewellery and blue I loved these it’s always special to come across and unexpected welcoming church. And finally The pavlova- wow! Your husband is to be commended!! Looks so delicious. This is a joy of a post, celebrating the small that makes our lives so complete and whole! 😀❤️
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I basically scooped together a handful of Tavira photos I hadn’t used (and I promised the 2 ladies in the shops a mention). It’s no wonder I keep going back, is it? 🙂 🙂 Just looking at the photos makes me smile. Thanks, hon!
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Oh what a lovely post, Jo! Your images make me want to visit Tavira!
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I shall be getting up a bus, Sue (I nearly said charrabanc but I can’t spell it 🙂 🙂 )
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Charabanc…..you were nearly there!
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I tried that and wasn’t sure so I stuck another r in for luck 🙂 :)i
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Haha! I like it!
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Your love for the Algarve is palpable, my dear friend. And you have the art of finding new things in a place that’s so familiar to you. For me right now satisfaction would be wrangling two amazing days on an island into some kind of coherent post. Or sitting down for a yarn with you – over cake!
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I’ll come for the natter, the stories, the friendship, if not the cake!
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We’ll go with the natter, shall we? 🙂 🙂 I’ll just round the gang up.
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Walking through a farmers market looking for that “right” ingredient. Learning a new dish from an elder “auntie or uncle” without a written recipe. Sharing food (and wine, beer, etc) with friends and family who know all of my BS and still willing to share a table. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
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Yes, that sounds exactly like satisfaction for you. Now if I could cook… 🙂 🙂 Many thanks for your company!
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I knew cake had to be on the list somewhere. 😉
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It’s top of my husband’s list 🙂 🙂
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