Portugal - The Algarve

When you've been a bit of a traveller for the last few years the idea of a package holiday to the Algarve, with half board meals and nothing to do other than lie beside the pool really should fill us with all sorts of dread.

However, after the last two years when I had no clue what was happening during the next school term it is nice to finally be able to have a well earned relaxing holiday in the sun.

So off we went to the Algarve on a Thomson's holiday - I'll be honest, I was filled with a wee bit of dread. Especially because the place we booked was in a resort that really had little life about it. But the Hotel had very very good reviews, had a huge pool and a gym - isn't it sad as I hurtle towards 40 that these things are quite exciting for me?

We flew from Manchester which saved us a bit of cash and to be honest a 3 hour car drive is no big deal when you go to Carradale all the time.

Everything was going really smoothly until we arrived at the check in desk (3 hours early). The guy was happy to check us in but my passport was due to expire in two weeks...I had known this in advance and had done some furious checking and was of the opinion that as long as it was valid on the day of travel and valid for the duration of the holiday then it would be ok....but the wee guy made a big deal of it and passed it to his supervisor who then had to phone someone else to check, ignoring my please of "ehm, I've checked with the Commonwealth Office and it's fine by the way."

Anyway, she finally found out that in fact I was right (as usual) and they allowed me passage to Portugal...so they holiday could begin.

And begin it did, I'll spare you all the details but champagne on arrival, half board with a gluten free menu to die for and a resort that had everything - it was just what we needed.

A highlight of the trip was the fact that Ewen and Andrea and our Goddaughters happened to be down the coast at the same time and we were able to catch up with them twice during the stay. Made a great holiday even better.

Some other highlights of the trip?

* Magret (sic) from Airdrie who was out tour rep - at the welcome meeting she offered us the chance to join Magrets resort ramble. As Katie had fallen asleep during the meeting I suggest that we had had enough rambling from the lass from Airdrie.

* Managing to do three 10k runs and two gym circuit sessions during our ten days (didn't I say I was sad now I am old?)

* The unbroken sunshine for 10 whole days.

Here are some photos....

after a day at the water park it appeared that I had been held onto for longer than I thought by Niamh.

Niamh is not scared

The beach near Olhos D'agua