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.

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.

The Algarve in spring is seriously under-rated when it comes to the variety of flowers - a walk on Thursday with a quite delightful group revealed 10 different orchids, including the man orchid, green-winged orchid and saw-fly orchid - quite rare fritilleries and a large patch of magnificent scilla peruviana.
Yesterday with the same group the wildlife came to the fore - we saw a pair of golden orioles, black winged stilts, sandlings plus other waders but what did excite us was the sighting in the waters of the Alvor estuary of a mysterious 'creatures'- later research by myself identified them as sea hares .

There has been a considerable improvement in the overall weather through out Portugal and Madeira, the rains have subsided although have not yet gone completely and the temperatures are slowly rising which means the spring flowers are out in abundance - hooray! In the Algarve the hillsides are a picture as the large white blooms of the gum cistus sway in the breeze and the purples of the french lavender and rosemary peep through. The new show of flowers does really make you feel good and you realise that once again nature has gone full circle and spring is here at its best but it also makes you realise that it is 12 months since you last saw these flowers - where oh where does the time go?

Since writing about the Iberian lynx I have had several people contact me with sighting and photos of animals that they have seen - not the lynx but the Egyptian mongoose, genets and wild boar have been seen. Do please let me know if you spot something unusual, if you can include a photo that would be great.

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.