It does appear that we are on some sort of a roll with the blog. I am getting more comments and contact via email than ever before which is very gratifying because all this does take up a ridiculous amount of time. Its nice to know that people are reading it and hopefully finding it either interesting or useful. If you take the 'L' out of Blog you get bog, you can think the rest through yourself.
If you would like to receive an email when the blog is updated please click here. I have had my first meeting with a blog reader who 'knew' us through the blog. I was over the moon when he introduced himself. I have also received comments this week to keep showing the photos with the lovely blue sky in Portugal, I tend not to as I don't like rubbing peoples noses in it. But here are a couple of “Animals do the craziest things type pictures", captions could read, " whose turn is it to do the shopping dear?” And “Hurry up, I'm ready to leave” If you look closely you can see a dog at the wheel of the motorhome.
If you would like to receive an email when the blog is updated please click here. I have had my first meeting with a blog reader who 'knew' us through the blog. I was over the moon when he introduced himself. I have also received comments this week to keep showing the photos with the lovely blue sky in Portugal, I tend not to as I don't like rubbing peoples noses in it. But here are a couple of “Animals do the craziest things type pictures", captions could read, " whose turn is it to do the shopping dear?” And “Hurry up, I'm ready to leave” If you look closely you can see a dog at the wheel of the motorhome.
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Nige and Sal came to see us for a mini break at the end of November. Nige and Mike grew up together and over the years they have consistently made an effort to come and see us whenever we have been stopping still long enough for them to plan a flight. Albufeira was chosen as it is a lively year round resort and as the van is too small for visitors they stayed in an aparthotel near to the Aire at the football club- Parque de Palmeira. First of all their accommodation was ridiculously cheap and ridiculously good. They had paid for a studio but got a one bedroomed appartment with fully fitted kitchen, pool and amazing views. There were two balconies, one overlooked the sea and you could see our van from the second bedroom balcony- just in case they needed reminding why they were there. It was spotlessly clean and all for £10 a night, ie £5 per person per night. Its called Janelas do Mar, which means Windows to the Sea in english.
Unfortunately Albufeira town pretty much closed down completely in the evening. We ran the gauntlet across the central square- hearing, and trying not to react to the cries for our custom from the touts outside the steak restaurants. Usually lively all year round, there must have only been four eating establishments that were open after 6pm sharing that same number of customers between them. We chatted to a couple of owners and apparently this is the first year this has ever happened to Albufeira, it has always been a genuine all year resort but with so many establishments closed in the evening the effect is spiralling downwards because fewer people go out as more places close down. So, where was our most delicious value for money meal? At the football club bar, Antonio is a brilliant barbeque man and the chicken piri piri was perfect. Mike, always has the burger, and he is never disappointed with his choice.
Unfortunately Albufeira town pretty much closed down completely in the evening. We ran the gauntlet across the central square- hearing, and trying not to react to the cries for our custom from the touts outside the steak restaurants. Usually lively all year round, there must have only been four eating establishments that were open after 6pm sharing that same number of customers between them. We chatted to a couple of owners and apparently this is the first year this has ever happened to Albufeira, it has always been a genuine all year resort but with so many establishments closed in the evening the effect is spiralling downwards because fewer people go out as more places close down. So, where was our most delicious value for money meal? At the football club bar, Antonio is a brilliant barbeque man and the chicken piri piri was perfect. Mike, always has the burger, and he is never disappointed with his choice.
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So, what a week its been-what with Nelson Mandela and the storms in the UK. I lived and worked in North Norfolk for many years and came across a campaign to raise money for villages along the coast. The photos below were taken by a professional photographer based in Norfolk. His name is Andy Davison and his pictures describe the storm where my words can't. Please click the link to his website to see more on his blog. They are amazing, but poor Cromer and Hemsby. There is also a campaign to sign a petition for coastal protection at Hemsby here. The first two photos on the left were taken at Cromer during the storm. The third are the remains of some beach huts at Cromer afterwards. The one on the far right is taken from the beach at Hemsby.
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I have finished the first draft of the book, ahead of schedule as I had thought it would be Christmas. I can't give it the elevated status of skeleton, its a pile of bones on the floor. The next stage will be to flesh out the stories and then to decide which orifices and secretions to include. Its nice to have the time to get it down on paper and take my time. This blog is usually written in a rush with distractions and I look over the posts and always think, "mmmm, could do better".
This afternoon a van came round for motorhome repairs, he also had a shop on board. He lives in Lisbon and spends two weeks at a time on the Algarve during the winter. What a great enterprise.The telephone number on the van is 917 224 110. I have also found a brilliant website for finding places to stay in your motorhome in Portugal, http://www.campingcarportugal.com/
On the right is a converted public bus from Marseille. The owners would have to be good mechanics.
This afternoon a van came round for motorhome repairs, he also had a shop on board. He lives in Lisbon and spends two weeks at a time on the Algarve during the winter. What a great enterprise.The telephone number on the van is 917 224 110. I have also found a brilliant website for finding places to stay in your motorhome in Portugal, http://www.campingcarportugal.com/
On the right is a converted public bus from Marseille. The owners would have to be good mechanics.
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Thank you for reading, and below are some more photos out and about in Albufeira.
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