Having only just completed 5 months of 2010 it is really difficult for me to think about 2011 but the reality is I have had to. There have been several enquiries this week for next years group dates as people want to plan their future tours. I do understand that so this weekend I have worked out the dates!
Much has been written about the state of the Portuguese economy which really is not in good shape. Goverments and politics aside, the Portuguese people are friendly, welcoming and long suffering - they really want you to visit their country which they are extremely proud of and there is so, so much to see that I really hope many of you will take the opportunity to come to Portugal. I will tell you now it does not have the sophistication nor the culinary delights of both Italy and France but there is a unique charm here which becomes addictive - I think that is why we have so many return clients.

This has been another interesting week which started by taking some visitors from New Zealand on a guided walk on the west coast of the Algarve. Cynics would say 'why would you want to walk in the Algarve when you have the whole of New Zealand?' - to them I would answer come and find out for yourselves. They thoroughly enjoyed the day and so did I - they were good company and interested in the countryside and economy of the Algarve.
This was followed by a morning walking with Steven Bleach a travel journalist from the Sunday Times (UK) - it was great to spend time with a journalist who was actually wearing walking boots! My remit from the Algarve Tourist Board was to show him the Via Algarviana which we walked in part beginning from Vila do Bispo and in the time we spent together we covered a whole range of local topics.
The weather in the Algarve has been uncharacteristically hot as those that turned up for the walk on Wednesday discovered! With temperatures edging up to 30C I did shorten the walk but we still had a great time with a lot of laughter and the ice cold beers at the end were much appreciated.

Because of security issues I have not been able to properly blog for the past 3 weeks - I have been away with groups but because I was burgled the last time I went away I realise that it is prudent not to detail my exact whereabouts.

The group in the Alentejo was sadly depleted because of the situation with the volcanic ash but nevertheless we had a great time. There was only one wet day (the first when the heavens really did open) but this did not diminish from the overall enjoyment of the week and I have to say that the spring flowers were absolutely spectacular.

I have just returned from the Camino to Santiago where ironically everyone made it but at the end the airport at Santiago was closed for several days which upset travel plans. The weather for the week was fantastic, perfect for walking (except for the last day when our arrival into Santiago was greeted by thunder and lightening!)and everyone made it, achieving their Compostela. Along the Camino we met more pilgrims than usual as this is a Holy year and rather than detracting it just added to the sense of camaraderie.