Settling in...........

So yesterday, after the afore mentioned breakfast, we took a little walk around the resort, to see if we could see our friends from 3 years ago - the Bradjollies - and to get acquainted with everything again.  Everything feels like we were here just yesterday, although the planting has matured since we were last here, and seems much 'fuller'.  The resort is very spic and span, but is showing small signs of its age, nothing that's going to detract from our holiday, but not as shiny new as last time we came.

After catching up with the BJ's we spoke to the lovely Nelson, our concierge, about the bed.........now the beds at EPM are ginormous!  They are really high as well as wide, and if you are a short fat little woman this can be a trial!! Made even worse by the 4" mattress topper that we requested!!  (The mattress topper is to die for though) lol!).  So Nelson had delivered to our room a wooden step platform, which is large and wide and makes me feel like the 'princess and the pea' climbing into her many mattressed bed!!! Lol! But it's perfect and does the job really well, and no more worries about putting my back out or looking like a beached whale whilst climbing into bed!

Here's the bed height with a chair for comparison 

We spent the day by the pool, with just a quick break away for lunch at the grill - I had a plain Caesar salad, then some gorgeous chicken wraps (the wraps were herb infused and really really good! Although I swapped out the chipotle sauce for mayonnaise).  Kev had a prawn Caesar salad then a tuna sandwich with salad.  All very civilised, and accompanied by a little sea breeze coming through the building, and two glasses of house Sauvignon blanc! 

After lunch we retired once more to our sunbeds, where Mr&Mrs Brads came to see us for a quick chat and to check the time for dinner.

I painted for a little while, chatted to a newlywed London couple on their honeymoon, and just started the relaxing process!

About 4 we went to our room where we were greeted by this beautiful bunny left by our maid, and a lovely floral table decoration, courtesy of Nelson.  

A quick shower, whisky and coke, hours nap and we were ready for the night ahead.

We had arranged to meet  Mr&Mrs Brads at the martini bar for 7.30, I started our evening with this little beauty......a french martini, a mix of vodka, chambourd and pineapple.  It's delicious, and I had three of Caesars finest examples, however my kid brother who got me started on these makes a better one! 

Kev had his usual pre-dinner drink, Bombay Sapphire and tonic.  The chat flowed, and it's like the last three years since we saw the Bradjollies was only last week - however I have to say, they don't stop talking, I was lucky to get a word in edgewise!!! (Sorry Mr&Mrs Brads we was a bit over excited last night, like kids in a sweet shop high on sugar!!! We'll reign it back tonight......or not.....like to keep you on the edge of your seat!!! Lol!)

At 8.30 we toddled off to Agarve, I had to have the famous tamarind margarita - a warning and I don't know why I didn't realise, but the edge is rimmed in salt, so I took a healthy Essex girl slug and my face puckered up like a prune!!  It's delicious though! And whilst I wouldn't want many I really enjoyed it.

For dinner I had some delicious finger sized tacos, which were stuffed with goats cheese, followed by the pork shank - this had me beat, seriously back in the war, a mother would feed her 6 kids on this for Sunday lunch, Monday left overs, Tuesday bubble and squeak, Thursday ham and pea soup.....it was a large lump of pork!!!  Delicious, fall of the bone meat, but dense! If you are a big meat eater go for it, but it doesn't come with any veg or sauce so it's really filling.  I'm afraid I only ate about a quarter before I was full up.

After dinner we swayed back to the martini bar, for a night cap and some more random ear bashing from us - really really sorry Mr&Mrs Brads!!.  Needless to say Kev was a little worse for wear, beers during the day, pre nap g&t, pre dinner g&t's plural, Cabernet Sauvignons plural with dinner, after dinner whisky......he was up at 6am looking for paracetamols!! Lol!  I'm sure he thought it was a good idea at the time!! 

Staff member of the day - Nelson

Off to enjoy another day. Xx