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!

This has been one of the wettest Christmas / New Years for many a year which is no consolation for those that have been in the Algarve both walking and biking. But you know even though this must be so disappointing all of our clients have taken things in their soggy stride and keep reassuring us that we are not to blame for the weather - that is so true but we do feel somewhat responsible (illogical though that is). It hasn't been only mainland Portugal that has suffered, there has been widespread damage in the Azores and in Madeira a flight from the UK carrying some clients tried to land 3 times in gale force winds before having to give up!! They arrived the next day.
Is all this a result of climate change? Who knows? But what ever the weather you are guaranteed a warm welcome if you do come to Portugal - May 2010 be good for you all!

Seasons Greetings to you all where ever you maybe!

The phone rang at 7.00am which always makes me a bit anxious (usually only emergencies and family) however relief, relief it was neither but only Kate from U tracks in Australia wanting to talk business! Fortunately I was compis mentis having had my much needed 2 mugs of coffee! (If anyone is reading this from down under then U Tracks are our agents and are to be recommended for all your travel needs).

We had a great walk yesterday and everyone kept saying how much they were enjoying it - why? It wasnt really the scenery which was good but more about the fact that we walked through tiny hamlets where local people were still carrying on their daily lives - it was so good to see that just beyond the tourist spots you can still see folk like the man in the photo carrying on his livelihood - here he is mending a wheelbarrow!

While taking my dog on a short walk this afternoon I was treated to a wonderful display by a pair of booted eagles riding the thermals overhead. This is a walk I do very often, usually I must admit from pure laziness but my dog enjoys it running, sniffing back and forth as if it is her first time and this got me to thinking........ Often people will as a way of an excuse tell me that they will be missing a Wednesday or Saturday walk because they 'have done that one'. I never see walks like that, to me there is always something new to discover and see (we very rarely repeat walks in a season so it may be a good 9 - 12 months since these folk walked a particular walk) - nature is never still and walks cannot be 'ticked' off like a shopping list.
It has been a very busy week, a company in the UK wanted a proposal for a sponsored cycle ride across south Portugal and a Dutch company wants to bring 18 people for a short break in March, both have involved visits to new hotels etc which has been very interesting. Why oh why when business is difficult do some hotels want to put prices up - their logic just beat me!