In the Algarve this winter it has rained, rained and rained some more! Everywhere is so wet, dry river beds are now raging torrents and naturally the weather is the favourite topic of conversation for everyone including the Portuguese. For the walks we have had to change routes and sometimes the walks themselves but this has not dimmed the spirit and enthusiasm of those who have come walking these past weeks - in fact quite the opposite. The numbers of walkers have risen and last Wednesday we had a phenomenal 58 people who came to walk arguably one of the best walks in the Algarve which includes part of the Algibre river valley - it was truly spectacular and we managed to see quite a few spring flowers including the naked man orchid and the peonies in bud.

I have had many people enquiring about the situation in Madeira which was indeed a tragedy but also one of those 'one off'(force majeur)events. The photos in many ways give a distorted picture of what is happening on the island where for the majority of islanders life continues as normal (maybe some travel is a bit longer due to road damage). The floods and mudslides occured in part of Funchal and Ribeira Brava to the west, the north and west of the island may be damp but suffered no real damage.

The agents we use in Madeira have urged us not to cancel holidays as the majority of walks can go ahead, where there is a doubt there are other options as obviously clients safety is our prime concern. Madeira is dependant on tourists and the best way you can support the islanders is to visit them and I can guarantee you will receive a warm welcome.

There was great excitiement this week when a young couple from Philadelphia told me they had seen a lynx on their walk but sadly it was dead. Because of the rather wet conditions they didnt take a photo but they were adamant that is was and it seemed to fit all the criteria. I was so intrigued that I was going to make a special visit to the scene to record and log the details but upon reviewing again the description the following day there was a big loophole in their story - one said the 'cat' had a short bobby tail, the other said it was very long. When showing them a photo of possible animals it became clear that what they had actually seen was a genet - a wild cat with a long ringed tail however with the animal being dead the tail had become partially hidden but it definitely was not bobbed.

My brother while out jogging early in the morning in the west Algarve did see a lynx and this prompted a visit from 3 members of the Nature Conservancy group from Lisbon. My brother had returned home but I took them to the spot where they collected droppings which later confirmed that these were indeed from the Iberian Lynx. They also showed me how to look for, possible identify and collect droppings while out walking so these days where ever I go I have in my rucksack small plastic bags. Sadly I have yet to see one of these wonderful creatures.

A freak accident has left me with one sprained knee and the other badly bruised which is extremely frustrating. I led the walk last Saturday limping and having to use a walking stick much to the amusement of everybody (well at least the pace was slow)but it was such a glorious afternoon with the sun shining and a blue sky - quite a rare event in the Algarve this winter.
A week later and progress on the injured knee is frustratingly slow, walking yesterday left me in considerable pain and showed my that for the time being unless absolutely necessary I have to rest - not one of my strong points I'm afraid......

I cannot believe that it is almost two weeks since my last post - not sure where the time goes but we have been so busy with enquiries and bookings plus I am still going to the gym (see last blog) - the novelty has not worn off yet!
Last week I received an e-mail news letter from Flora and Fauna International of which I am a member, the main feature was promoting the use of cork stoppers in wine bottles in order to save the cork oak forests in Portugal. These forests are the main habitat for the Iberian lynx which is close to extinction. Personally I believe that while individual action is good it is the need to change the attitude of the government towards environment protection. There is only one National Park in Portugal that has full protection status that is the Penedes - Geres Park in the north most other parks have the status of 'natural' here the protection is much less and frequent encroachments by builders is common (as in the Algarve).
This government appears to be commited to installing wind turbines whereever it wants but I would have to question whether 3 wind turbines for example in one area is really making a contribution to the environment - I am thinking of Pico Alto in the Algarve where the habitat of some rare bee orchids has been totally destroyed for the installation of 3 turbines which due to a lack of wind are frequently motionless!!

New Year, New resolutions and for most us that usually means attempts to lose weight or get fit. Well I am no exception to this rule as I write this after just returning from the gym. Really this not my favourite place but in a strange way working out becomes addictive as each piece of equipment tells us how many calories we have used up, how many miles we have biked or walked and the next time we go there is a determination to beat yesterdays total. The only reason I am in the gym is that I have a busy year ahead and years of walking have taken a toll on the tendons in my legs culminating in acute tendinitis not that long ago - this year I am determined it will not happen again.
All our walking and biking holidays are not particularly difficult but they do require a certain amount of fitness. Occasionally we get people come for a weeks holiday that have never walked or biked before - they think it will be easy! They soon realise this is not the case, for while the distances may not be long if one is not used to walking or biking everyday for 6 - 7 days muscles soon begin to play up. But do not be put off! Just some form of regular exercise even walking the dog everyday should be enough for you to come and enjoy your holiday.

Northern Europe especially the UK is experiencing extreme cold which is prolonged and has had serious consequences on everyday life. Whereas in Portugal there has been excessive rainfall also too in Brazil where hundreds have died from mud slides caused by torrential rain. People may wonder with such cold and wet how can there be global warming ............ a good question!
Websters dictionary defines climate as:
the prevailing or average weather conditions of a place, as determined by the temperature and meteorological changes over a period of years.
and weather as:
the general condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, with regard to the temperature, moisture, cloudiness, etc.
Weather therefore is something experienced everyday and climate is long term. There is no doubt that global warming is being experienced by the planet and a consequence of this is a disruption to general weather conditions. We are frequently asked what the weather will be like during a particular month and these days our answer is always the same - we do not know!