This has been a very difficult time for us with the disruptions caused by the flying ban. Sadly many of our clients could not make their holidays and it was really difficult to hear their disappointment on the phone while others could not fly out with one couple having to spend an extra 9 days here waiting for a flight. As one of our clients said 'sometimes life is just not fair'. It is true but what we have to do is appreciate what we have, a dear friend and fellow walker has just been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer (a lifetime non- smoker)and that just puts everything into perspective.
On Saturday my good friends from the Bolton HF walking club arrived, this is the 7th holiday I have arranged for them (I have even taken them to Spain and the French Pyrenees)and their sense of humour continues to shine. They may be getting older and cannot walk as far but my goodness we can have a good laugh and that in itself makes you feel so much better.
May the sun shine on you whereever you are.

I am very excited (and that does not happen very often!) but there is a new group walk on the site and I think it is one that is hard to beat. The inspiration came just 2 weeks ago when walking with the group on the 'Best of the Algarve' week - we were on the west coast, far off the regulars walkers beaten track and everyone was totally 'gobsmacked' with both the scenery and also the fantastic spring flowers. The Cape St Vincent Natural Park has the most wonderful scenery and the area is totally unspoilt plus I know some wonderful walks which are not in my walking books and so are not commonly known.
You may not realise but many walking companies (including some of the big names)take walks from my book and use them for their clients and their groups - so I have to be one step ahead of the game and with this holiday I am. We can offer a unique walking experience for any one who wants to come to the Algarve for a group week.

I know I have mentioned this before but I MUST say it again - the spring flowers this year in the Algarve are really quite spectacular. The wednesday walk yesterday saw the hillsides awash with the large white flowers of the gum cistus in abundance like I have never seen before - everything is just so bright and alive. This is a real treat for our walkers and cyclists especially as the sun is shining bright and the sky is blue.