Whether you think the EU deal is a whopper for Britain or we’ve been caught hook, line or sinker, here’s our wee traveller’s tip if you’re going fishing.
A mariner’s prime activity is, of course, riding the choppy waters to bring in a catch to feed his family.
But to supplement that unpredictable wage fishermen have long turned to us, the holidaymakers, to supplement their earnings.
By taking us out on their boats, for a fee, to channel our inner fisherman or woman.
Now you don’t have to have salt water in your veins to get the most out of the experience.
Because your guide will invariably hold your rod for you (ooh, behave!) and help you haul in a little fishy.
Something fishy
You’ll want too to check out the vessel before you take to the water to see what facilities it boasts.
Just in case you’re out on the Atlantic and that wine and coffee you took at lunch starts filling up your bladder.
As happened to a certain fisherman’s friend off the coast of Portugal back in the day.
Who halfway out asked where the rest room was.
And if not was there was an island where she could go.
With the choice being Madeira hundreds of miles south.
Or back to port we turned around and headed back to Cabanas in the Algarve.
Fruits of the sea
Portugal has, of course, been richly blessed with the fruits of the sea.
So we’d be surprised if they had need to haul their vessels up to our wee island.
And it might just be their neighbours and their Spanish Armada on the horizon.
It’s a fleet of a different sort that makes its way down to Portugal at this time of year, the Brits.
For the sun, sea, and vinho.
Every day is a shoal day
For us though our favourite thing to do in Portugal is kick back with a plate of sardines and a bottle of Vinho Verde.
Other fish, of course, are available, shoals and shoals of them.
And depending on how much Vinho Verde you’ve imbibed.
You might just imagine them smiling back at you.
The boating expeditions are of course optional as you’ll never have to catch your own.
It’s just our wee traveller’s tip if you’re going fishing.