Algarve Beach Life Diaries

I've started packing for our September Algarve vacation...

Unlike husband Nev, I don't mind it. To me, it's just part of the preparations, and I can savour the experience before I even set off. Whereas he just gets frazzled if he's asked which pair of beach sandals should be taken. (And of course, if they're not there when he needs them, he'd sulk).

Just the car hire still to book, then I can relax.

But I did avail myself last night of the numerous hints and tips I put up on my updated Algarve Tourism page....

... Just to make sure I'd considered everything. I did skip a beat when I got to the bit about travel insurance, but a quick check of our annual policy showed me that it's still current.

Phew!

And I'm printing out addresses for some of the agents whose properties we intend to view while we're there. If we can find something great this time, I won't need to go back November or December for another look. (Like that would be a trial!)

Enough blogging... Back to the packing. Excited? Me? Of course not.... (big fib).

There's a takeover brewing in Algarve.

Rumours abound that a Spanish consortium wants to buy an Algarve market chain. But nobody's admitting anything.

The biggest bunch in Algarve is the SuperAli chain. They have shops, both large and small, dotted all over Algarve. It's unlikely that they are the target, which is good news for shoppers, since a 'hipermercado' firm would probably want to close down all the little outlets as being 'beneath them'. That would not be good for consumers, from either a convenience or choice point of view.

Anyway, I like those plucky little SuperAlis. It would be a shame if anyone messed around with them.

So, who's up for grabs? Speculation has it that the likeliest candidate is the Marrachinho chain.

I can't remember having shopped in any of their outlets, so can't comment on their value or convenience.

But, I'm intrigued by this Spanish interest in Algarve businesses...

Only last January, a Spanish group bought Vilamoura marina. Is it because Spanish tourism is on the wane, I wonder?

If so, that could mean a big boost for Algarve real estate. Maybe I should get a move on and buy something soon!

Watch this space...

I'm really excited, now that the searching's done and I'm starting to pack for my September Algarve vacation...

There seems to be so much to see and do in September. It's like they're cramming it all in before the season ends!

One place I'll definitely be revisiting is the Cultural Centre at São Lourenço in Almancil. It's one of my 'Algarve favourites' and this September they're showing an exhibition of art by Juan Martinez.

Meanwhile, over in Boliqueime, where we stayed in April, there's an exhibition of painting and sculpture at Espaços, Estrada da Estação.

What with that and the dance event in Faro AND looking around at Algarve property, how am I supposed to find time to hit my favourite beaches?

On the bright side, it's the sort of problem that I welcome...

I read with sadness of the death by drowning of a British futures-trading millionaire. It happened at Castelejo beach in the Vila do Bispo area, which is popular with surfers and is subject to large waves and strong currents.

The victim, in his 40s, had reportedly rescued his teenage son who had been swept out from the shallows, but could not make it back himself.

It's sad news of course, but its ramifications were amplified for one resort establishment, the Vila Lara Hotel, near Lagoa, when British newspapers wrongly reported that the tragedy had occurred off the beachfront there.

The hotel management are understandably upset to have been wrongly associated with such a sad event, although it was true that the victim had been staying at Vila Lara. What a shame that the UK Press didn’t bother to check their facts before rushing to print.

Of course, seawater and danger go hand in hand, but Algarve beaches are generally pretty safe. It would take more than some scare stories in the British newspapers to put me off my next Algarve vacation!

I came across this one when I was surfing to find a September Algarve vacation...

It seems that a British couple visiting Algarve for the first time in 2002 had chosen Carvoeiro. While dining at their (already) favourite restaurant, they noticed a couple of stray dogs that didn't look as 'street-hardened' as most of the poor mutts that abound in Algarve. One even had a collar, but staff confirmed that it was a stray and had been hanging around for some time.

It was only when she witnessed one dog suffering some needless but inevitable cruelty from a passerby that the lady decided enough was enough...

(And let's give them a well-deserved plug, since the staff were so caring: they were Maxime's restaurant and the Carvoeiro Bar)

She arranged for the two dogs to be taken into care and cured of their various ailments by a local pet sanctuary. This took over a year (and repeated financial contributions) before the animals were able to be certified for their 'passports'.

Then, they were crated up and flown over (what an adventure for an innocent animal) to the UK.

And now, they enjoy their new life, in a loving family. What a great ending.

Three cheers for Jack and Daniella, as they were named (the chap who first noticed them was drinking Jack Daniels).

But I can't help wondering whether they miss that gorgeous Algarve weather.

Possibly not... As I know myself, a full tum comes first in most situations!

My first choice is always to check what's on in the way of culture - then 'arrange' to be in the vicinity of the venue, so that I can casually suggest to husband Nev that we check out whatever is going on at the end of a busy day's Algarve exploration.

I think he's guessed how it happens, but since he's pretty mellow during an Algarve vacation, he seems not to mind.

I'd already planned to visit Faro this September (apart from using the airport, that is).

So when I heard that a contemporary dance 'platform' would be held there, I factored that into my plans.

The event in question is Plataforma de Dança Contemporânea Portuguesa, a production featuring many of Portugal's top contemporary choreographers. It's at Faro's Municipal Theatre on September 17th and tickets are only 5 Euros! Wow... great value!

And if you can't make that show, it's repeated at Teatro Lethes (a stunningly decorated, if tiny theatre - pictured above - in Faro's Rua de Portugal) and the Municipal Theatre in Lagoa on the two following evenings. So that's 3 chances to soak up some modern Portuguese culture.

Include me in, as they say in the movies!

I've done it!

Arranged our next Algarve vacation for the second half of September.

Downside:    Couldn't find an affordable villa.

Upside:    Booked a nice aparthotel in Portimao which does self-catering. (An unfortunate necessity, if you're a couple of tree-hugging veggies!)

That'll be good, as we haven't spent time around Portimao for quite a while. We can renew our acquaintanceship...

But, we'll also be taking time out to look at some of that fabulous Algarve real estate that we'd like to buy!

So that'll be: breakfast, beach, lunch, rest, explore, view properties (in that order). A couple of hours every other day won't make too much of a hole in our relaxation schedule.

We'll be meeting up at Gatwick, since Nev will travel down from where he's working at the moment. That'll be a bit strange, as we normally share the preparations for a holiday...

(You know the story, girls - he throws some stuff into a suitcase, then I look through it, ditch the stuff he doesn't need and substitute all the vital kit he'd omitted).

So, I'm thrilled skinny at the moment. The only thing left to arrange is our Algarve car hire.

Don't know whether to have transport for the full 2 weeks or whether we should just hire bicycles for part of the time. (In an effort to work off some of those excess holiday calories!)

No worries, though. That's the sort of problem I don't mind wrestling with!

I'm off to work now, but instead of using a car, I'm on cloud 9!