and a lot of business blues!
November has seen some better weather - with the last five days being very hot and sunny!
Bars and cafes open and close here with depressing regularity, but this must be a record! The "local" on the corner of our block first opened as a cafeteria called "Tu no vas!" ("Don't go!") about 18 months ago. It changed hands in March but was closed when we arrived last month. We then saw a lot of activity and were told it would re-open on November 1st. On the Saturday night we went in early for a drink. It was lovingly decorated with nets, knots and baskets. There was a new name and T-shirts with it for the staff. There was a range of generous free food for the punters and it was very busy. Next day it poured with rain and we went in again around lunch time. The boss (former president of our complex) said everything was fine - but he was tired after a late night. On Monday it was closed, and on Tuesday they stripped the decoration and it hasn't been open since! There's a story in there somewhere!
Rather more successful was the Sunday afternoon at our second nearest bar - Cafe Lounge. Here they tried a Book Sale. Aussie chef Sean brought along about a thousand books to sell at bargain prices. He also did a free sausage-sizzle BBQ and the German neighbours made cakes. A big and jolly turn-out and Sean publicised his new weekly Thai evenings. Delicious!
Another new experience was the "big fish" Sunday the following week at Blue Rock. Eileen the Cook brought a huge sea bream caught a few days earlier and we shared it - followed by pumpkin pie and ginger ice cream. The sun shone!
Meanwhile there is much pessimism about tourist numbers and spending. Flights in from UK and Ireland are to reduce and the Euro-pound exchange rate is depressing. Only the best places are going to survive it seems.