Foia

Foia is about 40 km north of the Mediterranean coast and 920 metres above sea  level. The pictures are not very exciting, if you look carefully in one you can make out the coast. I have included the pictures of the communication masts just to prove that, A, we have been there, and B, it is high up. Would you believe that there was at least 5 other brits up there?

We have been doing a little exploring around the area, ( nice when it is warm and sunny). Once you find your way through the tangle of developments close to the shore there are some nice places to walk and enjoy the sunshine. Sorry, did I mention sunshine, whoops, just done it again. Was going to take some pictures of the sand and sea with the sun shining, dam, used that word again.

 Today, Monday we needed to do some shopping and came across a supermarket in the midst of one of the larger developments. As we approached we thought it was closed, hardly a customer in sight. Got our trolley and started walking around, it was then that we realised why it was so quiet, inflated prices or what.  Our assumption is that it is aimed at a clientele who have no choice or simply do not know any difference.  We walked out as did some other people.

We recently visited Faro and forgot to take the good camera, never mind said Keith we have the small one in the car. Got it out, nothing, batteries dead? Changed batteries, still no good, buy some new ones, still nothing, curses.

When we got back at the end of the day Keith realised he had been pressing the wrong button to switch it on.

Comments please in a brown paper bag, the one Keith is wearing on his head.

Location: just wait a minute while Keith looks at the map. Ah, found it, Alcantarilha. It’s near Albafeira. We arrived on Sunday the 9th. It as been nice and warm, in the twenties. Cost of living, cheap, wine, €3 95 for 5litres. Oranges, €2 50 for a bag of 32, eggs, €00.56 for half dozen, and so it goes on.

Pictures, not found anything worth taking a picture of, early days, need to explore.

To continue the journey. Our route through Spain was along the A66-E803, we did not realise that it rises to quite a height, 924 metres, and resulted in some long slow pulls. This was not helped by some very strong head winds, so strong that Keith had to apply power to go downhill. Having spoke to some other Brits on site that is the favoured route.  As we approached Seville we could see very dark clouds ahead, we drove into a huge thunder storm.

We decided to go to Portugal, the Algarve. for up to a couple of months.  Crossed the channel via the tunnel, 06 40 on the 5Th.  Because of the cost we decided not to use the toll roads.  Progress on the first day was slower than anticipated, a combination of the roads, vehicle size and weather, at first cold then rain.  Spent the first night in an aire, free.  We both felt very tired after the days  journey and both slept well, to well, late rising resulting in a late start.  Never mind, we have re thought our plans and  intend to take more time for the journey.  Currently about 12 km north of Bayonne.

This visit was primarily to attend the funeral of Keith’s Sister.

We used some of our time to do a bit of site seeing, the joys of a free bus pass and senior citizen railcards, (we prefer the term, recycled teenagers). Train from Moreton to Bournemouth, bus to Poole, train back to Moreton for the total sum of 11 pounds, extortionate.  Swanage on another day, unfortunately the trains do not run at this time of year.

Nearly forgot, visited the gardens at Stourhead, a beutiful place at any time of the year, the autumn colours are great. We were amazed by the number of visitors, thousands. See the photo’s.

Yes it has been a long time but, we are still around, sorry.

We returned to the UK in July we have purchased a static caravan to use as a base, we have more or less got sorted.  We also had some family issues to deal with including a terminaly ill relative, who as recently departed this mortal world, another funeral to attend.

 We have had the occasional trip away, the great Dorset steam fair, a family favourite. As a family we have been regular visitors since 1976, now on the third generation.  Have a look at thier website, www.gdsf.co.uk

We enjoyed a few days in London with Jans relatives, Tony and Jennifer from Canada, Pam and Ray from Spain.  Good fun and lots of laughter.

A trip to Suffolk and Norfolk, for some site seeing, birding and nice walks. Good old Caravan club sites with friendly and helpful staff.

Have a look at some of the fungi pictures.

To understand this you will need to look at the pictures from Vienna.  The guy is playing what look likes a flying saucer or two woks welded together, the sound was amazing.  We have included a photograph of the card explaining the instrument.

We took the train from Baden into Vienna having purchased a ticket that allowed us unlimited travel for a period of twenty four hours at the extortionate price of €19 20 for both of us.  To start with we could not figure out how to verify our tickets, something you are required to do.  We had been on the train for some time and were convinced something was not right, Jan asked a man if he spoke English? he did, and was more than pleased to help, he was very helpful.