With the forecast predicting sunshine at the time of low water we set off with high hopes of spectacular scenery and good photography at Praia des Catedrais, a nearby beach renowned for its rocky outcrops and arches. Our luck was still in as we took the last space in the main car park, but the tide had already started to turn, restricting us to one end of the beach (since we did not fancy paddling). The beach and rocks were certainly impressive, but the talk in the tourist guide of this being one of the most spectacular beaches in the world had rather over sold it. It was actually slightly less impressive than Durdle Dor.
As we drank our coffee back at the hotel we found that there was a confirmation party planned for later in the day, and a bouncy castle was already being inflated just outside the restaurant. Rather than risk sitting in a restaurant overrun with children we sauntered off down the promenade to the Nautica restaurant. Finally we had found an authentic local restaurant with a good view and a bit of a buzz. With a little help from our Spanish dictionary and an English speaking member of staff who came over and took pity on us, we enjoyed a freshly cooked seafood and salad lunch and felt slightly self-satisfied that we had not entirely relied on the hotel.
After our customary siesta I did a little filming before we settled down for the evening with some nibbles in the room, a hot bath and watching the UEFA final on television. My question about whether locals would be supporting Real Madrid were answered at about 23:30 when fireworks went off around the bay.