Blogs from Algarve, Portugal, Europe
December 29th 2011
Motorhome News from Europe 47 Limoges, France. Salamanca, Spain and into the Algarve, Portugal. It's a long way. It's a long way from our home in Norfolk, UK, to Morocco. It's certainly a long way, driving by motorhome! And it's a long way when the planned Sea France sailing, Dover to Calais, is cancelled (the fact that the Receiver has been appointed may have something to do with it but nobody told us) and we ended up sailing, half an hour later than planned, transferred by DFDS to Dunkerque! But what the heck. It's a chance to escape from the cold and damp of wintery England for a while. A chance to visit pastures new, family in France, and revisit some of our favourite haunts en route. First stop, to see daughter Sonia and her family ... read more
October 10th 2011
Hi y’all!! First I want to let Uncle Rick and Aunt Lyn know that my package was waiting safely for me in my room when I got home from Lagos! What a nice surprise to have! I opened it this morning and that trail mix is right on time because I just finished the trail mix that the girls sent me this weekend! So thank you very much!! I will try to save some of the other goodies for close to Halloween time…although one I will have to take a picture with on October 30th in honor of a certain couple’s anniversary. You two know what I am referring to, but everyone else will just have to wait and see! So, thank you very much for your package! I loved it!! Now, Lagos. What a nice ... read more
October 10th 2011
Our trip to Lagos was one that I will never forget. Before we left, things were chaotic. The original plan was for Hayley, Devin, Susan, Meghan, and myself to rent a car from Jerez and drive it to Lagos where we would meet up with our friend Tegan. The day before we were suppose to depart, Susan tells me that she decided not to go. She made a few excuses but none of them were valid. Susan’s lack of consideration created a huge problem for the rest of us because Susan is the only one of us who is over the age of 21 and therefore, the only person who could sign for the car. We were angry, frustrated, and upset that she put us in this situation less than 24 hours before we were suppose ... read more
August 25th 2011
Lagos is loose As an Aussie told me earlier in my trip, I could not pass up Lagos because it is loose. There must be a travel show in Australia that spits out this advice because the entire city is Australian with a kiwi or 2 thrown in. I don’t think I need to go to Australia anymore because I have already been there in southern Portugal. The Aussie was right, Lagos was loose- it was a great time. It was a small fishing town with great beaches and a really fun bar and club scene. It reminded me a lot of cabo san lucas minus the large resorts, perhaps Cabo in the 1970’s before anyone ever went on a “90 minute” time share presentation. I had a nice little routine in Lagos. Go to the ... read more
August 19th 2011
16th week on the road and still living the dream!! Well people - We finaly managed to get a whole week of sunshine! hows about that? ALBUFERA is really tourism orientated with lots of british tourists which is a refreshing change as its been mostly spanish french and portugese destinations that we have stayed uptil now. Great start to the week. We have found a nice hotel where we can nip in to use the pool and the town square seems ideal for putting the jewellery out. Steesh has also made a friend ;) a Spanish dood calley Javi- funny enough translated to english is Harry my dad and brothers name, and my grandads. Javi is only 21 but wise for his young age and they got on really well, he is top drawer! proper spot ... read more
August 14th 2011
After a few more days traveling around the coves and mountains of North West Spain we got out first glimpse of Portugal across the bay in A GUARDA. We decided on the short car ferry ride which was a first it was the tiniest ferry I have been on, similar to the Sheilds ferry. We have ben in Portugal for a week now and have had sunshine every day so far- yey!! We went to see the Newcastle/ Arsenal match last night in one of the bars here in Albufera (Algarve) The week has been tyring, especially with the hot temperatures and a lot of driving- 8 hours one day. We stayed over in FIGUERA DA FOZ for a few nights in the car park of the towns main attraction - seals and sharks doing tricks- ... read more
Is this Portugal or is it Paradise?
Published: August 9th 2011Europe » Portugal » Algarve » Quarteira
August 8th 2011
There have been so many moments on this trip when I feel like someone should come along and pinch me. I have to pause and take it all in because it almost seems surreal, like I am in a dream... Am I really sitting at a little table in the south of Spain drinking blanco sangria listening to this perfect musician playing the accordion? Or watching the flamenco dancers so passionately and aggressively expressing themselves through their dance in a tiny show theatre on some random side street? Could it be possible that I am in one of the 3 biggest cathedrals in the world? And are my eyes failing me? Or is that pair of Italian leather shoes really only 15 euro? I love this place And then there are the moments when someone needs ... read more
July 13th 2011
A few days spent in Lagos were a good investment in my mental health. Met with old friends, rented a flat and spend our days nestled into beach's surrounded by sheer cliffs, blue skies and the Atlantic. It's a very beautiful place and has the tourists to prove it! Not that im one to judge. One highlight would be the fish market and cooking up seafood feasts. Im excited to see the hard coast of Portugal on our trip to Lisbon. Keep tuning in and I'll keep it comin.... read more
July 9th 2011
Friday, June 17th, marked our first day in Portugal. We were filled with anticipation to discover a new country. Our only plan was to drive up the coast and stop at places that seemed interesting. Sometimes we would just stop in a town or at a beach have a quick look and jump back in and carry on our way. This day our first stop was the small village of Tavira. We jumped on a ferryboat for a 10-minute jaunt to Tarvia Isla. The tiny island was much more developed than we expected with a half dozen high priced seafood restaurant and crowded beaches. You can also camp on the island if you want to stay overnight. We opted to have lunch and a quick stroll to the beach before heading back to the mainland and ... read more
June 30th 2011
The delay in posting another blog has been because we didn't buy a sim card for your phone in Portugal. This usually gives us a certain amount of data that we use on internet. Portugal has really turned it on. The Portuguese are very friendly people and no one cares where you park for the night. Our days have passed along many white sandy beaches with crystal clear water. Dan has been having a few kites along various lagoons and surf beaches. Makes us very regretfull that we couldn't buy paddleboards as that would be stella...not that they would fit in the van. Started in Porto where on our first night there was a festival 400m along the street with traditional portuguese dancing, churros and fireworks, really nice suprise. We have since made our way down ... read more
