Sorry, still in the Algarve and loving it!

Travel blog 9 - Sorry for not blogging for last month, but we thought our everyday life might be boring. Understand it probably is, so apologies to all and to let you know we plan to stay in Algarve until Xmas and then move off into Spain in the early new year.... so watch this space

Tuesday, 6th November

Roverless today, so got bikes out and headed east to find the bird hides at the lagoon east of the site. Sadly lagoon dried up as Algarve now suffering from a drought and despite cycling miles along could see no sign of the hides. What a shame. Also the bicycle situation is not working out and causing some marital disharmony! Andy's lovely ELECTRIC bike, whizzes along. I on the other hand struggle really hard to keep up with him and feel under pressure, as he says he gets fed up of waiting for me as it is difficult to lower his speed. Not sure how to resolve this one, may have to book into RELATE!
Last night we had spent a worrying few hours as we had witnessed an incident on the beach which we were unsure whether to report to the police. All over seeing a child who had been reported missing. However, decided to let it go as probably 98% sure we were wrong. Another couple arrived today from England and we spent some time with them catching up on places to visit, Rob and Sheila, lovely couple from Dudley who we really hit it off well with.

Wednesday, 7th November

Opposite camp site there looked a good hairdressers so had booked in this morning for a haircut with Maria as hair grown very fast. Lived up to my name and had a good trim for only 8euros with special offer in November of colour for another 8! Rather tempted. The camp site restaurant re-opened today which was great news as from 6-midnight you can sit in the restaurant, sit in small lounge, or use a well fitted internet area or the library. Nice to have an option not to sit in every night. Rob and Sheila joined us and we had a pleasant evening. On way home, a funny thing happened which I must just tell you about. We heard a really loud crash and dashed back to our van only to find that the caravan parked next door to us had tipped up as the corner steadies at the back had collapsed and the front of the van was pointing skywards. We rushed over to see if the very elderly Portugese couple were alright and when they pulled back the curtain we saw them lying crumpled up at the lower end of the van which had sunk in the ground. The gentlemen inidicated they were alright and we walked away and am totally ashamed to say we just rolled about in fits of laughter, unable to control ourselves. Then the couple must have righted the van as the 'A' frame suddenly slumped down at the front and it was level again. For some reason this made us giggle worse thinking of them crawling up to the front in a see-saw action. Well, can you imagine how we felt next day when the lady knocked on our door and presented us with a lovely bottle of champagne! She could speak no English but she kissed Andy on both cheeks and left. Thats how Portugese are!

Thursday, 8th November
Apologies for the poor old travel blog this week. Furthest we are travelling is to the beach and town. 29 degrees today so after swim in the wonderful pool we walked into town to watch the fishermen bring their catches in and to watch the sun setting. Whilst strolling along the front we heard a "coo-ee Alison". It was an odd moment, but turned out to be the lady I had sat next to in hairdressers yesterday, Margaret from the Isle of Man. She was with her husband so we sat and chatted to them for an hour about how Armacao had changed over the 50 years they had been coming here! Funny how the days pan out. Bought some lovely juicy prawns and some other unknown fish and made up some kebabs which we barbequed and which were absolutely delicious.

It really is lovely here and we feel rather reluctant to move on as I have said before we are really comfortable and enjoying avoiding the British winter. Also we hear some bad tales about the sites in Spain and how expensive they are. The only downside here is that it is difficult to sit outside as during the day there are a lot of flies which are worse when food is about and from about 5 p.m the mosquitoes surface. However, we have upped the anti on the mosquitoes and have now purchased a plug in adaptor in attempt to achieve a gnat free zone.

Friday, 9th November
Joined fellow campers for a coffee morning in the library and weekly book swap! For tea headed off to the Water Dog (English Pub) for battered cod and chips. How sad doing all the things we used to moan about Brits doing. Phrase if you cannot beat them, join them comes to mind!

Saturday, 10th November
Local market today which we all went along to. In the evening 5 of us went to local restaurant where we had a wonderful meal with wine and brandy for £8 a head.

Sunday, 11th November
Kindly Portugese neighbours showering us with gifts - big bag of oranges today. Got bikes out and headed off to explore the 'posh' end of the town, Wandered about the coves and sat with ice creams on beach. In evening friends brought round a DVD "Brother where art thou" so pleasant evening.

Monday, 12th November
Spent morning cycling up to Porches, a pretty village inland (and up la 'ill). Looked at a lovely property with five bedrooms and loads of potential and felt slightly tempted. When we got back shock to see friends from Holland pitched up just behind us. Went down into town with them for a drink at Hotel Garbe. Funny old evening as there was a very elderly English lady on piano and we were all handed out song sheets with the old war tunes.... Our Dutch friends asked "Ees thees a typical Engleesh evening"? We said "Oh yes, happens everynight in all the pubs in Birmingham"! Music and singing were dire (even to my tone deaf ears). Bit of reprieve when Portugese folk dancers arrived. Whilst there we were commandered into taking part in a fashion show to be held on Thursday - boy, what do I let myself into!

Tuesday, 13th
Dutch friend and myself headed off early to try on clothes at shop in town ready for fashion parade! Quite nice clothes for the 'mature' lady! Portugese neighbours gift today was a bag of chestnuts as in Portugal it is National Chestnut week (different!) so held an impromtu chestnut and champagne party for 9. Good time was had by all. Rob and Sheila kindly cooked us dinner so nice end to the day.

Wednesday 14th
Walked the length of the beach today as weather so nice.

Thursday, 15th
Attended 1st Portugese lesson today. 10 of us there, all different nationalities. I found it difficult as all the other Europeans are fluent in at least two languages and I struggle with English! Good to exercise brain though! Baked a jam sponge when I got back and we shared this with neighbours and then 6 of us set off to Garbe for fashion show. Hotel very busy and show hit with female clientele - not so popular with the male species and their wallets! Enjoyed walk back along the front and then all took part in a games evening in the bar in the evening. Dutch game Shjullen, I think! Anyway Andy won bottle of wine and I had been given a bottle for taking part in fashion show, so we are doing well.

Friday - Sunday
This is all getting too boring, but I am going to continue until we move so as not to upset our faithful readers who need to be ready for next exciting instalment when he head off for El Rocio in Spain - Still enjoying just being here. All very laid back and easy here and we have got to know quite a few people here now, even in town we talk to local builders putting up fences, so will be sad to leave.

Monday night - very rough. First rain in Algarve since September, and windy with it. However hired car for Tuesday for a change of scenery. After last upgrade were not quite so excited to see 'get what you pay for model', which turned out to be a bright blue Fiat Panda! However Tuesday, heavy rain all day, so found an indoor shopping complex and sheltered there in the warm and dry. You see, these places were built for a purpose other than for spending money.

Wednesday - still overcast but we headed up to Monchique in the mountains and famous for its altitude of 1500 ft and its famous Manueline doorway with knotted columns and unusual pinnacles. When it started to rain we stopped to eat with all the locals in a busy little cafe where we had tuna with onion sauce which was really good. After our meal we were given a glass of medronheira, the Portugese liquor (!) commonly known as firewater as we soon found out. Apparently it is made from the "strawberry tree" arbutus something whose full name escapes me. Beautiful rainbow appeared across the mountain. Moved on to Caldas de Monchique, a spa town where the hot curative waters attract the ailing. We drank the icy water from the natural spring where people fill their bottles and carry home. Felt a right weakling when an elderly Portugese lady scurried past carrying 3 x 5 litre bottles easily down the hill, glad I only had a 1 litre bottle.

Thursday - had a day in trying to catch up on some chores as Mother had rang to say she had booked a flight and would be arriving Friday morning. Hopeless getting jobs done here as people are always walking by swapping stories and everything else. Arrived a bit late in the evening to play Shjullen and were chastised. However, Rob took 2nd prize, Andy 3rd, me 4th and Sheila the booby prize, so they are asked us not to bother to go at all next week! Friday, Andy set off in the spacious car and I decided to wait at the hotel as did not think there would be room for whole family plus cases. Called in at pharmacy as ear starting to play up again. Came out with anti-inflamatories and then waited for my ear to shrink! Emotional moment when we all met up with mother and gordon so sat on beach front in sun drinking coffee and catching up on lots of news. Went for a drive around and had a meal out in the evening.

Saturday - packed up a lunch and headed off to show AP (Aged Parents) - whoops sorry mother, only joking, Luz and Lagos. Weather definitely changed and wind quite cold. However, in sheltered beach restaurant in Luz out of the wind it was lovely. Ate our lunch in Lagos and drove back later for evening meal at the Garbe hotel. Bit of a highlight for me as whilst Mother caught up on Strictly Ballroom, I relaxed in a hot bubbly bath - sheer bliss after 3 months without and especially as quite chilly dashing across to shower blocks on site in the dark at night. After really enjoyable meal sat in the lovely bar area and listened to a sort of singing duo (you hum it, I'll play it kind of thing). The female vocalist was quite good and soon people were up and dancing. Poor Gordon was press ganged onto dance floor by mother, who having watched too much "Ballroom" had high expectations and was dreaming of more than a quick waltz. Needless to say she went to bed quite disappointed, even after a large brandy!

Sunday - we all had a late breakfast and beach walk and then headed off into Faro, a place we really like. Wanted to show M and G the enormous Silver Christmas tree at the Faro shopping centre, but we arrived a bit too early and unfortunately only saw the 'undressed' version which altho spectacular was not so pretty unlit.

Monday - left Mum and Gordon to have a wander around in the morning. Mother already found the nice dress shop in town and was planning to part with some Euros. I on the other hand got roped into another fashion show next Wednesday, where I will be modelling a lovely little black and cream mohair number! Lets hope the weather stays cool! Late morning set off for Silves, a castle town rising above a fertile valley of orange groves. We spent a good hour or so wandering around the lovely red sandstone Roman castle where there were specatular views from the polygonal ramparts. The whole castle is in the process of being restored and made into a cultural centre where you will be able to listen to music, plays etc. Apparently it will be finished in a year and we would love to return to see it complete (especially as European Union money being used!).
After Silves, showed M&G a camp site we have found up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere where we would like to stay for a couple of nights. Very quirky with unusual features. Only caters for 14 vans with each pitch having own water, electricity, own little dining table and of course the most fantastic views across the mountains and serenity. From here drove up to Monchique to collect some more lovely spring water.
Headed back to Armacao to catch the sunset before another soak in the bath and then out for dinner. Quite a bizarre evening as the owner of the restaurant was a bit of a character, to put it mildly. We hardly had time to eat as we continually entertained by Carlos who insisted on telling us jokes, showing us his holiday snaps and then bringing Gordon ingredients out, as mother asked for bread and butter pudding for dessert instead of the mango mousse he was insisting on. Went back to Garbe later to see the Portugese folk dancers whom we like to support.

Tuesday, 27th. Up bright and early in time for 11 flight from Faro to Stanstead. Bit emotional parting again and I felt melancholy all day. However, Alexia and Stu coming out on the 7th December for a couple of days, so looking forward to that. We stopped at Vilamoura on way home and decided that we will return there soon. Weather back to hot again and people swimming in sea. Took car back to Garbe and again enjoyed the most amazing sunset - are there ever two the same?

Wednesday, 28th - Big excitement today as Fernando bringing us a satellite dish so we can pick up the Beeb and listen to English radio! What a treat. In the afternoon headed off to Hotel Garbe where I had been promoted to head model for the show - not sure what to do about the increased status in role! Actually really enjoyed it, although unfortunately no discount off purchases and not sure have need for sequined jacket in the camper van - warm anorak, for evenings more appealing.

Thursday, 29th - Portugese lessons and Schullen in evening - Andy and Rob won as usual returned with bottles of wine.

Friday, 30th - Woke up to find Santa Klaus had called in early and unexpectedly. Our Dutch friends were heading off north for a few weeks and had left us gifts for the 6th Decembe, the day they give gifts etc. Not sure what mine was but it was in a small bottle and looked to be made of figs (hope its not Syrupa figs!). Andy's was labelled hangover cure...... Not sure of significance of this! Invited Jeff from next door and Rob and Sheila for dinner and had a really nice evening. Weather now really hot again

Saturday 1st - This morning there was a big Xmas fare at Garbe hotel. We went along on our bikes about 11 and it took us a couple of hours to walk around all the stalls selling gifts mainly geared up for the Brits. Father Christmas arrived up the beach in a fishing boat and it was a surreal moment with carol singers rolling out Xmas carols on a boiling hot day. A couple we met from Isle of Mann collected us from camp site in evening and drove us out for meal which made nice change.

Sunday 2nd- Went for a long cliff walk although it really was hot today. Friends cooked us roast beef, yorkshire puds with horseradish (very easily pleased these days). Big worry for us to hear than Andy's mum had suffered a minor heart attack. Glad to hear she now seems to be getting along. Alexia and Stu had their house broken into and poor little Luc has no heating or hot water as waiting weeks for an elusive part! Days like this feel very helpless being so far from home and unable to offer help where needed.

Monday to Wednesday relaxing and getting together some Christmas cards for Alexia to bring home. enjoying sun and catching up on hobbies which never had time for when at home.

thursday - decided to catch bus into Portimao. Portimao is famous for its bridge which we call the smelly bridge as it runs across a saltwater inlet and for some reason wafts a bad smell. However, delighted today to see the flamingos in large numbers. Also on this stretch of water there are scareherons - equivalent of our scarecrows, designed to scare off the herons from the oysters! Had a lovely day walking along the large port and then into the town. Journey home not so good as nightmare of nightmares ended up on the school bus with hundreds of tin lids! They are the same the world over, noisy, boisterous and pains in the ....... Despite that the journey took over an hour as we dropped them all off at their houses, but the one bonus was to see all the Christmas lights in the little villages. Funny as they do not make a big deal of Christmas here, just close shops for one day and none of the mad rush you get in England.

Option for our Xmas lunch - the Indian and chinese restaurants are open or one restaurant cooking turkey. Will probably go for that one and may a couple nearby who are also alone.... Do not feel too sad for us as will probably have a glass of champagne and then go for beach walk...

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