Overnight Santander and then on ferry to Portsmouth

 We arrived in Santander about 3 pm and booked in to the Hotel and immediately went for lunch in their cafe which was packed with locals, which is always a good sign.

We had a quick sort out of out packing for tomorrow nights stay on the ferry cabin and then went for walk along the promenade which was also very busy. There was a large building containing cinemas and arts activities also full up and so Santander seems to be a bustling little ( hardly) town.

In the evening we watched some tv and then had not a bad nights sleep. The next morning we had breakfast and left the Hotel around 10.30 for the short drive to the Ferry terminal and lined up in the space for those who had booked Priority Departure and then boarded and and dropped our stuff off in the cabin and went to the club lunge for lunch.

When departing Santander Port for Portsmouth you have to go thro the new EES procedure and you need to get out of the car , show your passport etc.

There are about ten gates in a row all marked with a number 1-10 and as you drive up, the gate allocation process is a joke. There is a nice little chap in his yellow jacket holding up his two hands where you have to count the number of raised fingers which then denotes which gate you go to. One would have thought there is a better way…But that's Spain for you.

It was quite a smooth crossing and we saw dolphins on couple of occasions and eventually the next day on Thursday arrived in Portsmouth harbour on time at just before 8 pm. As a result of our paying for priority dis-embarkation we were off the ferry by about 8.15 pm and home at around 9.30 and looking forward to a nice cup of tea.

So that's the end of this trip which we enjoyed very much but fancy something different next year, we shall see.

Not the best way to start the day

Well, whilst in the process of getting ready to go to breakfast Noel could find his car keys , Oh no perhaps he lost them in either restaurant yesterday or the bar last night. After checking all the suitcases etc we went downstairs and checked with reception who said nothing found but allowed me in to the closed bar area but nothing.

So we went to the car and opened it by using Jennifer's spare set  and then the car would not lock for some reason and so nearly panic set in. We have a set of keys that work but wont allow us to lock the car and upon investigation the car was showing keys in the car???. So we went thro all the bags and no joy but eventually found the keys in th camera bag, put there for safety by the writer, Oh dear what a fool.

Bahia Hotel Santander

We had breakfast and then checked out and headed of on the nearly our hour trip to Santander stopping shortly afterwards to top up with fuel and then we kept going until arriving in Santander at 14.45 and checked in to the Bahia Hotel where we are staying the night. The cafe was still open and busting with locals which is always a good sign and so we both ordered the baked hake with salad and ships and it was truly excellent. For desert the rather elderly waiter clearly had no English and did not understand what we wanted and so he went away and came to different deserts which were great.

We had a rest in the room after the lunch and later in the day went for a walk around the park which is right by the sea front which was also very busy. There is a Arts Centre plus a few other things in this large building and everywhere there were people enjoying themselves although we did see the odd street sleeper.

At around 7.30 pm we got back to the Hotel after a much needed walk and settled in for the night. Tomorrow following breakfast we head off to the Port to connect with our ferry sailing at 14.00 hrs for Portsmouth. So a nice day.

Forgot to mention that to access the underground garage you had to enter a large lift which takes you down three floors. slightly worrying really in case it broke. 

What a lovely city Salamanca is

Had breakfast and then plotted out the rest of the day. Whilst at breakfast there was single elderly guy having breakfast and we chatted for a few minutes, and he lived in Southern Spain and was visiting areas of Spain following the death of his wife.

 Noël was unsure whether to use his mobility scooter as it might hinder visiting certain locations so decided no to take it. We tried to book a taxi on Uber and Bolt but then it turns out neither operate in this city and so we had to call via the Hotel front desk to take us up to Plaza Mayor.

The taxi took about ten minutes and dropped us off and we initially wandered thro the food market which very clean and tidy and then we walked in the o the Plaza which n the sunlight was really quite beautiful and it was not too crowded apart from the odd tour guide towing a few people along . We stopped at a cafe in the square for coffee and watched the activity for about 30 minutes and then took a slow walk in the direction of the Cathedral. By this time it was around 2pm and so for lunch we at at e cafe with seating outside and Jennifer had a chicken burger and Noel a pizza, boy that's Spanish for you. But you have to remember that each time Noel has to order food he has to go thro a rigmarole of requirements with he serving staff and sometimes its just easier to pick something that is OK.

From there we walked down to the Cathedral which is really very impressive and beautiful at the same time and I would say its the best Cathedral I have ever visited. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos and I did take one then got told off, ah well.

We continued walking trying to find a taxi but then we discovered th
at Taxis are not allowed to stop anywhere and only and designated taxi ranks and so we started to track back to where we had just come from and bumped into the English we had met at breakfast who informed s the Taxi rank was over a kilometer away whilst the Hotel was a lesser distance and so we followed him back but it was much greater distance than he had indicated. Noel needed a couple of breaks but eventually we got back very hot and sweaty and so straight to the room for a shower and rest.

 

Following our rest we met the English in the bar for a chat but he did not stop talking , no wonder his kids find it difficult to meet with him.

So then we returned to the room Noel to do his blogging and Jen to catch up on the news. Tomorrow morning we leave for Santander where we spend the night before taking the ferry to Portsmouth on Wednesday the 29th April

Drive to Salamanca

 Well we got up early for us and was having breakfast downstairs at 0845 and so was able to leave the Hotel at around 0930. The roads were extremely quiet , whether this as because it was s Sunday or in Portugal people getting over their hangovers from partying due to the overthrow of the Dictator, I don't know.

Some of the motorways are not bad but others have a terrible surface and sometimes large holes and so you have to be very careful when driving and you could easily damage your car. After about two hours we stopped for a brief break and Loo's and then carried on and arrived at the Parador De Salamanca where we stayed on the rout down at about 14.40 which also allows for the one hour time change. So we checked in and went to the room and Noel started to find out how to watch the football and yesterdays gam was on BBC Player and he assumed the same for the Chelsea match, but no, it is on TNT Sports which I can get at home , what a pain.

So he signed on to the BBC radio and listened to the commentary and eventually the Blues won at 1--0 although the second half sounded a bit stop and go.

For an early evening snack we went to the Cafe in the Hotel only to find that their main menu does not start until 8.30 pm but they did do a Club sandwich which we both had ad it was very tasty, along with a beer.

And thn nak to the room for Noel to do the Blog and Jen to do some reading.

Best laid plans

Well our plan to visit Evora again was so that we could visit the small historic town of Monsaraz which we tried to visit last year but was to buy and no parking and so our plan this year was to return, stay ate Evora, then visit Monsaraz and leaving the Hotel around 0830 and spend some time getting there. Unfortunately we did not consider the following, that Monsaraz was further away from Evora than we both thought in fact nearly 90 minutes away as its on the border between Portugal and Spain but that we were both tired.

So waking up at 0730 I looked and Jennifer was still asleep but she wok at 0745 and as I said we were both feeling tired and so we said lets forget it for this time and do some necessary shopping then a trip back in to Evora. This was the right decision as I subsequently discovered there were many events on in the town due to the celebrations of freedom from a Dictatorship, see yesterday blog, and so we could have driven there and  still not parked.

So we took it easy and went for breakfast at about 10.30 and then back to the room to decide next steps. Noel wanted to get some fuel for the car and did not want to mess around tomorrow morning as out journey from here to Salamanca will take about 4.5 hours and he wants to be there so can watch on the PC the Chelsea vs Leeds game.. 

We checked where the cheapest fuel was and it was an Auchan Petrol station about ten minutes away and so fully loaded with fuel we then went in to the main Auchan store for some food shopping and also stopped off at another store to pick up somethin for lunch and then back to the Hotel. By this time it was about 13.30 and outside was going to be 25 C and to trudge around a town which we visited last year seeing the main sites we changed our minds and stayed in the Hotel and took it easy.

In the evening we went up to the top floor bar and restaurant and we both had a shrimp salad which was excellent. Tomorrow we want to leave a bit early so as to arrive in Salamanca as Noel would like to see the Chelsea vs Leeds game if possible and our plan is to leave around 0930

Sines to Evora

There was no rush to leave the Hotel in Sines as our journey to Evora should only take approx. two hours and so after a late breakfast we left the Hotel Sines Seaview Hotel and headed along the sea shore until we arrived at the recently opened area where many supermarkets and fast food restaurants were just getting established.

Whilst Jennifer bought our lunch from one of the supermarkets Noel sorted out the car and to avoid to many rattles and then we were good to go. We had planned a roundabout way to Evora and stretching the time but we had not foreseen, no Tom Tom, that the motorway that we were on for a short distance was under renovation and we could not exit where we planned and then ended up being unable to exit for the next approx. 30 miles or so which messed up our plans totally. The authorities had closed one side of the Motorway and so two way traffic and no exits was not easy to digest but nothing we could do.

Eventually we came across an exit and so we took it and then re planned the sat nav for country lanes which we did for about an hour until we came across a nice lake where we stopped to have our lunch. En route we noticed that there lots of storks on their nests on the electric posts in the road which was nice to see. By about 3pm we arrived at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Evora an checked in. We stayed here last year an thought it a nice Hotel.

We decided to have an easy and restful afternoon an then for dinner we stayed in the Hotel. There are due to be fireworks tonight around midnight but not sure I would wish to stay up so late as we want to leave early to visit a small ton called Monsaraz which we tried to visit last year but it was very busy and so we plan an early start tomorrow. Now the rest of the evening will be quiet. T then noticed that on the TV in the restaurant they were showing a football game which I suddenly realized was the Brighton vs Chelsea where the Blues lost by 3 goals and were totally outplayed. I did not own up to the American guy avidly watching the game that it was MY team as I would have been to embarrassed.

Tomorrow is 25 April and Portugal celebrates as follows

"Portugal celebrates 25 April as Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade) to commemorate the 1974 Carnation Revolution, a largely peaceful military coup that overthrew the 48-year Estado Novo dictatorship. This day marks the restoration of democracy, civil rights, and the end of colonial wars, signaling the transition to a modern democratic nation. 

Visit Sines day

Following a good breakfast at the Hotel we went out in the car and our plan for today was visit a supermarket to buy food for lunch then a tour of the town, followed by lunch on the promenade  and then visit the castle, or so we thought.

Well the first part went according to plan but en-route to the supermarket we passed by the castle and the main car park was closed with lots of building activity going on and then we realized this was due to the planned celebrations of the passing of Salazar the country dictator and their are countrywide events on Saturday 25th when their will be concerts in the castle and lots of other events, hence it was closed which is shame. We arrived at a brand new are with lot of large chain from McDonalds, Burger King and Intermarche, LIDL and others and we both our sandwich and fruit for lunch.

I came across

this video of a walking tour of Sines which I thought was good and so attached

So we toured part of the old town on the way back from the supermarket but the roads were very narrow and with cars parked and two way traffic it was not fun and so we stopped on the promenade to have lunch. Whilst parking we started chatting to a Belgian guy who was living out of small van which he said had everything and he enjoyed Portugal being a much nicer country than Belgium and more freedom of self expression. We wished him well and enjoyed our lunch and then went to a local seaside cafe for a coffee which was nice.

On the way back to the Hotel we passed the castle and this time the car park was filling with beer and food stands ready for the forthcoming events. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing before Jennifer goes for her massage and then later for dinner in the restaurant.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Evora where we visited last year but this time for two nights and we plan to visit the old town of Monsaraz which visited last year but to much traffic and no parking and so we plan to go early on Saturday and hopefully park, we shall see how it goes.

Quinta to Sines today and Chelsea fire the Manager

We needed and earlyish morning start as we are leaving Quinta Do Lago and driving to a new location on the west coast called Sines. En-route we plan to visit a town called Monchique which is the top of a hill which had been recommended to us. Just before leaving Quinta we visited a nearby gold club which also has apartments which looked very nice with coffee shop and bar etc however it was very busy with golfers. Where we are is very quiet so perhaps if we return than we will stay in same place.

Whilst driving to get on the motorway there is a two mile length of road with no obvious signs of speed limits but I just caught a sign saying radar traps, so ensured my speed was Ok but when coming over the top of the hill up to the main roundabout I noticed a lot of police activity and it looks like they were pulling drivers over for speeding, but thank heavens not us.

We arrived in Monchiqure with the main road in going past garage after garage with the road littered with damaged and half repaired cars, looks a mess really until we reached the town Centre which looked nice but parking was a nightmare. The nearest car park seemed to be about a mile away so that was a no no for us but the town was not really inspiring. The only nice bits were that some sculptures had been placed at strategic corners and they were most interesting.

You have to go early to get a parking place it seems as there were also quite a few coaches.

We changed the SatNav for our next destination called Sines but this mountainous roads and we eventually came to what seemed a closed road which would be a problem, the signs were unclear and so we decided to risk it rather than go all the way back to find another route and the problem was there were a few areas where the road had collapsed down the hill but on the three occasions we came across these obstacles we were able to get by.

We arrived in Sines an located the Hotel called Sines Sea View Hotel and checked in and had a nice sea view. Noel did some work on the computer catching with a load of whats app messages and then had a rest and Jennifer went for a swim. It was then that I discovered that the Chelsea Manager had been fired, THANK GOD.

In the evening we went to the Hotel restaurant where they worked very hard to help me overcome my food challenges as the waitress said, cooking in Portugal starts with onion, garlic and herbs, however they produced a very nice filet mignon and fries after changing the cooking oil.

Then back to the room and we sat watching You tube for a while...

A little shopping and then a football disaster

There is not to much to do today other than start looking at the last bits to pack. Its amazing how much stuff you have when travelling for nearly six weeks and the car boot will be full. We needed a little bit of food shopping this morning and so headed in to town and bought a few things and then went for a coffee and sat in the sunshine watching the world go by.

We had lunch mid afternoon and Noel was looking at different locations for next year on the Brittany Ferries website and we happened upon a new location quite nearby which is a gold club with apartments and so we shall check it out tomorrow if we have time.

Jennifer went for a final swim in the pool and it was empty again, it was a little busier over the easter week and as we can see the aircraft in the distance landing at Faro Airport with one aircraft nearly every five or ten minutes u can understand whey they have had so many immigration challenges with the new system.

Come the evening Chelsea are visiting Brighton and my god I have never seen anything like it. The Brighton team cam on to win the game and the Blues were a right mess although many of the main players were missing but still it was appalling. After the second goal went in I turned off the program as I could not watch anymore such poor performance. Somebody needs to get fired, perhaps the whole lot and |I will start watching my grandsons team who really try.

And so to bed.

Starting preparations for our departure

First thing this morning Noel popped down to the resort reception to carry out a key transfer as a result of us staying a couple of extra nights and to settle the bill for same.

So after breakfast we also started to start basic packing for when we leave on Wednesday morning for our Hotel in Sines. Throughout the the rest of the day Jennifer also sorted out the fridge and other areas of the apartment so that when we get to our leaving day we are ready to go.

Back home on the Broadkoaks Estate there was meeting to discuss the current financial shortfall's which are quite alarming. The receivers are not helping by withholding money due to the Estate Managing agents which then are unable to pay suppliers like the gardeners, tree people etc etc. Its not a good situation to be in and their is a lot of animosity towards the managing agents... wish we could change them.

In the evening we decided to watch a film on Netflix and up came Apollo 13 which, to be frank, we have seen several times before but its a good film. Also having visited Canaveral Space center and seen the set up its adds to the film.  The computer that was used for the space visit was huge and filled a large room (s)  and today would all fit on a good laptop of mobile phone.

So that's it for today

Now this was a good game

 Slow morning as usual and we had a nice walk around the estate and sat by the Ayrton Senna sculpture and watched the traffic go by for about 15 minutes as others stopped to look at the statue.

We had cheese and biscuits for lunch on the balcony anf then later in the afternoon Noel watched the Man City game against Arsenal and from an outsiders point of view it was a good game and really should have been a draw, which would have suited Arsenal no end as they are now under pressure from Man City for the Premiership title this year.

We were concerned that the steak we had kept for tonight was not up to standard as the freezer does not appear to be as cold as the one we have at home and the last thing we need is the author of this blog to go don with something just prior to us leaving the resort. The weather the last few days has been really nice and another 'small world' item , one of our good friends from Wey Road it was her birthday and so with my usual greetings mentioned I was sending from Portugal and ten minutes later she came back and said so was she with a groups of tennis friends about one hour from here.

Right now the Political bit. I am really pissed of with Labour Government and also the conservatives for allowing so many illegal immigrants in to the country and they now pose a serious security risk as many of them come from countries that do not like the UK and our religion and general way of life to whom the government seems to be sucking up to. In addition u have a scenario where we go hook line and sinker to support Ukraine with money and military equipment against that naughty boy Russia but when it comes to a regime that kills its own people , whoooo steady on their better not get involved. Effing idiots.

The fact that many Labor MPs stick up for this man is amazing and will come back to haunt them for years to come.

In the paper today.". Having landed in Downing Street promising to banish sleaze and restore competence, Labour has swiftly reminded everyone that it can be at least as crooked and useless as the previous lot

I cannot believe this Chelsea team

A quiet morning catching up on paperwork which still carries on even whilst you are away from home. At lunchtime Noel watched the Brentford vs Fulham game but neither side played well and their was a draw in the end. Jennifer is reading books like crazy which she enjoys very much and its a time for her to have a break from normal day to day living and working.

In the afternoon we went for a  brief walk when the other aspect of my health issues kicked in with a missing gall bladder , No details here but its not fun. 

We had tempura prawns and vegetable  rice for lunch and then in the evening Noel watched Chelsea host Manchester United and lose one goal to nil. There goal was scored when we were temporarily down to ten men, bastards. I think the boys played quite well but after multiple shots on goal not one went in, We hit the post several times which must take a lot of practice???

Ah well that's life. Lets see how long the current manager lasts.

Some light shopping and just hangin' around

We needed to visit the super market this morning to top up a few things and so about mid morning we went visited the local store for a few odds and ends. We are due to leave this apartment next Wednesday morning as we start wending our way back to Santander but in the meantime we do need to  keep stuff in the fridge as eating out is not a major requirement for us when we will be doing this for the week we travel.

The supermarket has taken away all but two of the cashier check outs in favour of self checking and the system which is in Portuguese and English can be confusing in the translation and so part the way thro we had to call the assistant to unblock the machine. These so called improvements are not good.  Following yesterdays successful afternoon out we were hoping for another walk this afternoon but at check out noel was hit with the old famous LARS issue and so we had to rush from the shop to the apartment for loo safety. This problem is very difficult as one moment you are fine and then the next moment you need the loo within minutes, hard to plan anything.

So we made it back to the apartment and then spent the rest of the day reading and Noel doing some work on the computer. In the evening we had pasta with stir fried pork which was excellent and the bloody Lars started all over again. It drives me crazy... Watch out Loperamide your going to get hit,

In the evening we watched the usual TV stuff and Noel called a friend for a chat. Lets hope tomorrow is a better day but this could be ruined by Chelsea losing to Manchester United.

In the meantime the Starmer charade continues , what an idiot this man is and he honestly believes that we trust him and his party. What I find incredible is that the whole population can see through him except his own party, if the the party had stood up against the PM they would be more respected but now, once out that is the end of the Labour party forever

A good day for a walk, or ride

Its a lovely morning again today and we need to go for a long walk and Noel a ride for a while. So we decided to head of to the Lake walk which takes you on a long trip alongside the Lake and marsh area and around to the coast where there are a number of quite expensive restaurants, mainly due to their location. En-route we passed the Ayrton Senna sculpture and Noel decided to hold a race with him.

There were quite a few people out today on bikes and scooters and you have to be so careful as they creep up behind you and no bells to warn you of their impending arrival but the weather was nice and warm at about 25 C and we walked for about an hour then returned to the SHACK and sat by the Lake having a beer and some crispy cut fries. We also noticed on the way back the amounts of crabs n the marsh area.

We then returned to the apartment and Noel was working with several residents with regard to the financial issues of the estate.

Noel spoke to friendly Accountant to review the estate figures and the results are plain to see, poor controls.

In the evening we watched some of the usual stuff and then to bed.

Our morning view

Immediately after arising in the morning and making a cup of tea and draw back the curtains this is our morning view each day. Noel had some paperwork to do in the morning and then planning a visit and walk around the lake in the afternoon. Well that was the plan anyway.

So for lunch we had a prawn salad produced by himself and then decided to have a rest and the some LARS issues kicked in again including PN (Peripheral Neuropathy ) and that ruined the afternoon and so no walkies. Life can be difficult sometimes..

So the rest of the day was spent around the apartment and then we got together to have cheese and biscuits and the rest of the evening back to the TV where we watched another video on a couple who purchased an old water tower in Knutsford in Cheshire and what a fantastic job they did on it. 

Out of the blue and over Easter the owners, or potential owners ,of the land next door have re submitted an updated application to build a load of houses and a Travelers Residence. This was all objected too in previous years due so many valuable reasons we are surprised they are trying again particularly when there so many houses for sale in the area and and further 1500 being built on Wisley Airfield.

Ah well thats it for today

Just enjoying the sun

Easy days really, mostly spent relaxing and catching up with matters relating to Car Insurance where for the first time ever my car insurance bill has come down by an amount not to be sneezed and I only hope they have not made a mistake. The trouble is when you get a little older they assume you have an intelligence of an ant and cannot see where you are going. My recent eye test within the last year showed 20/20 vision which is good if only I knew what it meant. Ha... In my life I have driven in the following countries and so far without issue. 

UK of course, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Germany France, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Denmark, Malta, UAE- all states, Kenya, South Africa ,Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, USA and Canada and Seychelles and so a reasonable amount of experience driving on either side of the road and in some countries wherever you can find a space. In addition to Left and right hand Drive cars together with automatic and hand change I have covered just about all driving habits you can find.

I have only received one speeding ticket and that was n Hong Kong when they changed the road speed limit whilst I was away on a trip from 50 down to 30 and also one in Portsmouth where the road sign was covered up .Not bad for driving for 65 years.

Anyway that enough of that. We took a walk down the road and and watched a few people having a look at the Ayrton Senna memorial sculpture and then headed home for an early tea. Uual eveing watching TV and have seen some of the George Clark series where people convert historic buildings into homes and the nightmare they go thro but well worth watching although perhaps 14 years out of date.

Feeling a little better

This LARS issue is very demanding and mucks up your day totally. This is not helped that my Gall bladder was also removed so when I get a little bit hungry  I feel nauseous and so have to eat something pretty damn quick and so this was my day today. However by late morning I was recovering and so we went int to town to do some shopping. Well its actually not a town but a small upmarket mall which is very nice an where the Irish Pub is and also several other restaurants. 

We did our shopping and then returned for an early lunch of salmon salad which was nice and then Noel was working on the Broadoaks Estate issues where the Management Company say they cannot pay the bills to suppliers  like the gardeners and tree guys and so where has all the money gone???

Noel spoke to his Brother n law in a care home in Oxford via the Call Genie which is great but not like meeting face to face and so we will plan a visit shortly after we return to home. The Mid East war issues rage on and we hope they can get is sorted before we all run out of petrol. 

Politicians are basically all liars, eg all the promises Labor made prior to the last election none have been fulfilled and they have screwed up the country big time in the year and a half of power, most other governments take a lot longer. Now the local election are arriving in May the mud slinging starts particularly form the current Governments as they can sea themselves losing hundreds of seats and so the opposition are racists, or they will double your tax and sell off the NHS which in the meantime trying to pass the UK  over to the EU again which of course would restrict the power of the PM. But these moves are  against the will of the British people who voted to leave so the PM has no legal right. Clearly the worst ever PM and Government this country has ever experienced.

Anyway that's my moan for the day

Not a good day

Not sure what happened to Noels body today but he was suffering with a number of things which I wont describe but it meant he weas grounded.  On the plus side when checking the TV we found they had Sky Sports and were showing the Chelsea and Manchester City game. In the first half we did not do too bad and missed at least three good chances to score. In the second half, City scored and the boys gave up. Also the usual playing out from the back failed again with unfortunately Caicido getting mugged after receiving the ball from Sanchez and that was another goal.

Chelsea 0 MAN City 3333333!

I really don't understand their way of playing, pretty much always from the back and having to run the complete length of the field hoping to catch the opposition out, this works if your team can run faster than the opposition but they cant, so its pointless. When I used to play we kicked the ball as far as we can up field and put pressure immediately on the other team. Also nobody tries to shoot from outside the penalty area except when their is free kick. I wish I could be in their dressing room and tell them what's for.

By the evening the writer was feeling better and trying to analyze what went wrong, it could have been a number of things over the past 24 hours so difficult to pinpoint.

In the evening we watched some of our usual You Tube travel channels. And thus to bed

A quiet day again

Following a long day out we decided we would stay and have a quiet day just relaxing  as the weather is beginning to improve again after the cold patch.

Noel did some investigations on Car Insurance as our is due at the end of April and he wanted to get an idea of market prices to compare against the current provider NFU, who are very good but on the expensive side. The trouble with the NFU insurance is they build the AA, which I already have with Lexus and some legal stuff which again I am not sure we need. Anyway lets wait and see what NFU quote. In the meantime I did some checking and got quotes from £ 1300.00 up to £ 4800 (Tesco)

We had sirloin steak and salad for dinner which tasted OK although the writer had some challenges later with it??

Usual evening watching stuff on TV and then to bed

A trip to Sagres and back via the Coast Road

An early start for us and we were ready to leave the apartment with lunch sandwiches made at about 0945.  We had previously decided that we would take the faster route their and then wend our way back along the coastal route, where a road exists as there is a lot of National Parks on the coast.

It took us about 90 minutes to get there and out target was the Pousada Do Sagres Hotel which seemed to have a good reputation and on the top of cliff overlong the sea and islands. By the time we got there at about 11.15 the writer was in need of the loo and so we found it and to my shock and horror not only was the light for the loo not working but a note on the door note to use toilet paper in this historic building as it blocks the toilets, so what do you do, take it home.? So we then went to the other hotel we had noted and this was chalk and cheese and this a super hotel which we would like to stay at some time in the future called Memmo Baleeira Hotel Sagres and this a lovely place.

We sat on the veranda outside the main restaurant and enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading down to the fish port where we parked up and enjoyed our sandwich lunch. So Jen got out our Portuguese Road map and we plotted our way back to home via Luz, Lagos, Portimao, Albufeira and eventual back in to Quinta Do Lago where we stopped at the Cheeky Pup Irish bar for dinner in the early evening sunshine.

We went back to the apartment an watched the final episode of the Michael Jackson story on BBC Iplayer

Not great weather

We awoke this morning to find it raining, together with dark clouds and a temperature of around 12C, We did not come for this...

So we hung around in bed until about 10.00  is before getting up and having a late breakfast and then spent most of the day catching up on emails, reading and generally lolling about. By mid afternoon the weather had improved and we had sun and a temperature of around 16C which was a lot better but  no great when West Byfleet was experiencing a heatwave. Oh well not much we can do about that.

Noel did some emails to the Managing Agents of estate as they have failed miserably to manage if correctly and are are many months behind on issuing a set of accounts to show where the money has gone. My opinion of the Managing Agents has not changed in five years and fact it seems to have got worse. 

In the late afternoon we did a half an hour walk around the estate before dinner which was Burgers with potatoes and vegetables, doesn't sound great but was really good.

In the evening we started watching a documentary of the rise and fall of Michael Jackson which is most interesting and with one further episode to go for Friday night.

Tomorrow we plan a trip out for the day to explore and area we have not visited before

A quiet day in downtown Quinta Do Lago

Following all the rushing around the previous day and the issues with the car, we decided to take a much easier day and also the weather was a bit off this morning.

In the late morning we needed to do some shopping and decided to visit the supermarket chain shop Pingo Doce at Vale Do Lobo which was right next door to the medical surgery we visited yesterday. We had noticed this supermarket when visiting the Doctors and it looked bigger than the one we usual use nearby. So off we went and thinking the parking would be easier we woz wrong and we had to drive around for a few minutes before finding anything. To be fare, it was lunchtime and the store and an inside/outside cafe which was very busy with local workman having their coffee and food.

The choice in the supermarket was slightly different to the one we normally use but we were able to obtain all we need.

Tonight Jennifer mad some stir fried pork and vegetable rice which was excellent and washed down with a nice glass of agua.

WE then watched some videos on you tube and early to bed.

The day did not start well

So this morning |I thought I would try and get an appointment at the local Doctors so resolve the health issue and rang the local guys at 0930 and they said come at 10.20, it is only ten minutes approx away  and so we took a fast breakfast and then went downstairs to go by car.

Noel got in the car and all the lights came on , then they started flashing but the car would not start. So turned everything off and nothing would work. Thats all I needed as I have a Doctors appointment in 20 minutes time and that was the only appointment  available this morning or until very late afternoon. So we rushed down to the reception to get a taxi as I thought they would know they quickest way to get one as in the panic I forgot about UBER, a big mistake. The estate reception said don't worry the taxi will be here  immediately  but she was not but eventually it turned up and I got to the Surgery about ten minutes late. I filled in the form and went to have my blood pressure and other vitals checked and needless to say my BP was high. The cost of the taxi as it come from a few miles away was rather expensive and they charged 18 Euros.

I met with Doctor Kaiser and lovely guy from Nuremberg who had live in Portugal for over twenty years and prior to that he lived in Redhill, would you believe. Anyway I explained the problem and whilst checking he noticed the recently arrived wart on my forehead and he said I can get rid of that for you whilst you are here, which he did. For the other bit that needed attention I obtain some special cream to apply twice a day and the problem should go away. If it does not come and we we will a further look. 

The cost for this was Euros 220  which I did not think was to bad considering the speed and efficiency. We took an Uber back to the apartment s and the cost was a quarter of whet they person charged. Now to sort out the car. Not sure what is happening but it will not let me open the doors???although the trunk opened. So I obtained the number of Lexus Europe and they will send someone in the next few hours.

This is the first ever problem with my car for s many years and now think that when showing the guy my car on two days ago something got left on and the battery has discharged ... Anyway the Lexus support guys turned up and ten minutes we were ready to go an so spent about 50 minutes touring the area to get the battery fully charged.

Tonight for tea we head some pasta which was good as usual. Now waiting for World War three to start???or not as the case may be. So the end of an exciting day.

A niggling itch

Its one of these things that does not really bother you until it begins to make you aware of its existence. Some while ago in last few months I developed a 'spot' next to my ear which over the last few weeks  have unfortunately chipped away at every morning when shaving and now it started to go OFF. So during the day I took stock of the situation  and will decide to speak to the Doctors tomorrow. 

The weather today was quite mixed with some rain, only light, then cloudy for  mist of the day and its forecast to be the same for the next week it appears, a bit like when we were hear last year year. So we had a quiet day in the apartment and planned to have burger's an veg for tea but before then we went for a short 25 minute walk and got back to the apartment around 17.45. I also called my brother in law in the care home for a chat which worked out well as he was wide awake.

The burgers, from Costco Seville, were very good and went down well and then an evening o TV. We have been watching a BBC series called 'The Capture' but frankly the torture and violence shown was to much for us and so we watched something less harmfull.

So note to myself call the Doctors...

Another quiet day with a walk

It was quite warm today around 23C and very little humidity which made it rather pleasant to be in. We both spent time reading and relaxing and then decided to go for a walk around an area  of the estate we had not previously visited. Its all part of the same ownership , a British Company based in Cheshire, who have developments in other areas of Portugal and also UK and Florida.

Just before leaving I was passing my Lexus NX car and a German guy was admiring it and saying he wanted one like it and so I opened it up for him to sit inside and we spent a few minutes and then he left. 

Thy apparently own the Aintree Racecourse and so its a large company that has been very successful. I must say going for a walk and with the steep hills , going up is not to bad but the coming down is tough and so I used my little mobile scooter.

For an late lunch we enjoyed another Costco sirloin steak and salad and tested a bottle of Portuguese red wine which went down well but cam back to haunt me later in the evening.

We watched the second part of a BBC series called 'The Capture' which is very good if you can understand it and then caught up with a couple of video bloggers travel updates. Then to bed

Man and his Porsche

We awoke this morning with the Estate What's App group alive with comment regarding a guy who had arrived in a Porsche at about 06.30 and then over a period of several hours moved around the estate and parking in peoples driveways including ours. A neighbor or two did approach him to ask what he was doing and apparently he said was a policeman working undercover in a voice that indicated he was on something more than wine gums.

So everybody was getting their cameras out and filming him and after a couple of hours of strange behavior calls were made to the Police who initially did not seem to be in a rush to assist. However once he started prying in to residents cars and ringing door bells it become a bit more urgent and then as described by one resident ''half of Surrey Police turned up' and they guy was arrested and put in handcuffs and taken away. Sometime later a truck turned up along with forensics and the car was taken away. So quite an exciting start to the day.

We had started planning a few days earlier our route home as we wanted to go to Salamanca again to see the town and also return to Evora which is s short distance away from a historic town on the border with Spain called Monsaraz Castle but we still have four days to fill. So after listening to Noels colleague from the previous day and and looking at Hotels en-route we have decided we will not stay in Sagres but visit from our current location and we will spend an extra two days here. Then when we leave here we will head for a place called Sines up on the west coast for two nights and then off to Evora. 

The rest of the day was spent enjoying the weather and then Noel watched the Chelsea vs Port Vale Qtr final of the FA cup which Chelsea comfortably beat them 7-0. The rest of the evening was spent on videos of one type or another.

A nice walk and visit from old friend and collegue

It was a lovely morning and the temperature is forecast to be about 23C which is lovely and the skies are a lovely color blue .

Following breakfast and email catch up we went for a walk around the enlarged estate which also includes Lakeside Village on nice quiet street but generally very small apartments and or houses. from there we walked back to the main road called Ayrton Senna drive and on the other side and looking up you can see some rather more large and very expensive places which are as per the attached video. All rather modern and quite nice as they say.

We returned to the apartment and enjoyed brie and had a read for a while until an ex colleague Sean arrived on his Honda bike as he now lives part of time in a place called Portimão and has full residency status which he obtained about ten years ago when regulations were easier. We were have a good long catch up and talked about each others health problems as he experienced nearly the same as me with bowel cancer. We then chatted about business colleagues and what we have been doing for the past twenty years and then enjoyed a snack tea and suddenly it was just about nine pm and as he lives an hour away he left.

We watched some videos on you tube and then went to bed.

Another day in the sun

Well, the weather has been great so far and we re looking forward to even more nice days. Following breakfast we went for a twenty five minute walk around the local roads to get a bit of exercise a and noticed quite a few UK reg cars parked and covered up for the winter no doubt pending the arrival of their owners.

The estate seem to be getting a little more busy due to the Easter holidays and whereas quiet in  the last week its been quiet, but now we have kids enjoying swimming in the pool.

WE had a light lunch and then took it easy until early afternoon when had his Zoom call with ex business colleges from around the globe. This meeting happens approx every three months and this one should have been in early March but many people were not available so hence the delay.

Following the call we both read for a while until dinner when we had stir fried pork and rice and then an evening of TV. We watched, again, a film called the proposal on BBC which is quite humorous and worth watching.

And then to bed
 

Lunch and shopping

We had a relatively quiet morning and Jennifer went for a swim which she enjoyed and then at about 1400 we departed for The Quinta Shopping mall in Almancil for lunch at the cheeky Pup Irish Pub which we have used on previous visits.

It was not that busy although car parking can be a problem but we were lucky as we arrived a car vacated a spot near the supermarket and pop we were in. We walked to the pub and and for lunch Jennifer ordered the chicken supreme  with chips, and it was like half a chicken and pile of potato's, needless to say she could not eat it all.

 I had the fish and chips which there is mostly fish and a small about amount of batter whereas in other places you get a huge amount of batter and little fish. However we washed it down with some cold Peroni and watched the construction work taking place across the road.

After lunch we did a brief walk around the Mall which is mainly high end stores such as Gucci, Boss etc and looked at several other restaurant's including the Italian called Tony's

which we visited last year and then headed for Pingo Doce super market for a few things. We got back the apartment at about 5 pm and Noel then prepared the paperwork and emails for the ex KN group Video call which will take place tomorrow.

In the evening we watched a film on BBC called 'The Duchess' with Keira Knightley which was quiet good and then decided on a early night.

The past few days weather and also moving forward for the next ten days is excellent, around 20 C give or take and no rain unlike lat years visit. 

A nice day for a walk

We had the usual breakfast of baked baguette and a 'cuppa', before having a quiet morning but also looking at out plans once we leave this apartment in the next 2.5 weeks.  One of our original ideas was to hug the coast all the way up to Spain but then we also wanted to return to Evora and Salamanca and that in the end is what we have decided to to do but we have four nights spare we shall need to arrange.

For lunch we finished up the salmon in baguette and mid afternoon toddled off down to the lake for a good look round. We are away for about two hours and went up past several VERY expensive Villas and also passe a couple of of Hotels. We also discovered there was a Japanese restaurant there but we believe it is beyond our price range. The 'SHACK' pub was quite busy but we did not sop for a drink as we were also wanting to get back and cook up a steak for the evening.

This area of Quinta Do Lago is very nice and clearly there is a lot of money here.

I have to say the sirloin steak from Costco Seville was really excellent and together with a salad made a very pleasant evening meal. In the evening we watched various videos and then went to bed around just after 10 pm. Tomorrow we need to do some shopping and so have decided we shall also have lunch out in the Irish Pub which is very close to the supermarket, how convenient is that?

Got involved in some issues relating to the Broadoaks Estate and the problems not having a working Management Company Board of Directors and the troubles that could bring with not filing accounts, UMM not good.