I HOPE 2012 IS KIND TO YOU ALL

Maybe this is your time to come walking in Portugal? Seasons greetings to you all - Julie x

I have been in the Algarve for a few weeks now and the whole mood of this country is just one of negativity - you have to feel for the people who are struggling to pay bills and survive. VAT at 23 percent is going to be added to everything including electricity, restaurant bills and rounds of golf, tolls are being introduced on the main A22 along the Algarve and there are no Christmas lights this year as the councils have no money! On the brighter side of life - the sun is shining and spring flowers are starting to appear (far too early) but a whole hill side of 'barbary nuts' lifted the spirits of everyone on the walk this Saturday. Actually this was a really great walk down on the Arao estuary and we had just arrived at the waters edge when 2 local fishermen appeared the driver jumped out of his car and before we knew it had removed his trousers much to our amusement - he was about to change in to a wet suit! Of course I could not resist a photo which I duly showed him and he joined in the laughter and then told us they were going to collect razor clams.

There has been considerable interest in the Madeiran tiger with many people wanting to know more about this magnificent beast - I will update you all in due course!