Algarve, Portugal, August

We live in interesting times. I don’t believe that anyone could have really predicted the last few months nor indeed the next. Our grand tour of Europe for 2020, including seeing some of our family visiting from Australia and catching up with our dare2go family in Croatia, has been superseded by being stationary at Vilamoura Rustic Motorhome Aire on the Algarve in Portugal.

We have absolutely no complaints about the hospitality we have received here – Anthea and Gerard have gone above and beyond to make us welcome and assist us in sorting out any issues that have arisen. From keeping us fit by introducing us to spinning, taking us to the supermarket to fetch supplies, having weekend shared meals and BBQs, movie nights, and watching Australian television, to driving us around the Algarve on sightseeing trips and introducing us to new friends (Lena and Colin) who came from Sydney, Australia and now live in Portimao, we have never been bored or lonely or depressed about our circumstances. We have indeed been truly blessed.

Since we arrived we have walked from Quinta Do Lago through a bird sanctuary to Faro Island (stunning long walk), visited Carvoeiro and picnicked on the boardwalk, enjoyed the beach at Olhos de Agua, visited Sagres and Farol do Cabo de Sao Vicente (the most westerly point of Europe), checked out Lagos, Alvor, Portimao, and Praia da Rocha, explored Vilamoura marina, enjoyed a drink in Quarteira and so much more.

We have shopped in nearly every type of supermarket that Portugal offers, enjoyed a few delicious meals at small Portuguese restaurants, discovered the delights of fresh bread and Portuguese tarts (pastel de nata), bbq’d sardines and octopus salad, local wine, South African dishes (prepared by Gerard) and a brilliant paella cooked be Lena. And many more culinary delights. It is no surprise that Bob has made friends with a number of different Portuguese beers, all lager style and available in one-litre bottles. He is in heaven!!!!

Much maintenance work on Celtic Tart has also been undertaken – servicing the window blinds to prolong their life, repairing a fault causing an engine fault light and failure of electric windows and speedometer, replacement of the gas regulator, and the installation of shade cloth over the front and back to reduce the heat inside. The loan of a portable air conditioner from Anthea also has made the hot weather tolerable.

And Bob has continued to help out with their apartment renovations in Vilamoura Marina and undertaken to keep up the watering to the plants here at the Aire. Keeping him busy is a secret to our success!!!

And now we are finally preparing to return to the UK in a couple of weeks, to take care of a few things and visit our family and friends before hopefully returning later in the year for more adventures. We hope you enjoy a few photos to show you some of our beautiful friends and scenery.