Every second Friday I drive 10 mins to my local town to collect my fruit and veg directly from the farmer who grows it. I turn it into a solo steak dinner date at my favourite local, run by my friend Ana.

It's a small restaurant with only about 10 tables. And tonight, three of those are occupied by women dining solo.

One is me reading my permaculture magazine. One is drawing in a sketchbook. The other is making notes on an iPad propped up on a small stand.

I've noticed solo dining is really a thing here and considered part of nornal, everyday life. From young women to elderly men. I could not love this situation any more.

Bon fin de semana de Portugal.