I have just spent a great week in Madeira with a group from Photo - Travellers and yes they did all take many photos but they also enjoyed the walking and so did I. We were able to walk the levada from Ribeiro Frio to Portela which has been closed for more than 20 months and only reopened 3 weeks ago. It really is a spectacular walk high (over 800m)in the cloud forests but it is not for those who suffer from vertigo. New safety fences allow you to walk close to the cliff edge with sheer drops and panoramic vistas.
On my free day I toured the island with my partner agents who are based in Madeira, we looked at possible new accommodation high in the hills, checked up on walks and also inspected the flood damage. At Ribeira Brava in the valley the damage is severe but there is virtually no signs around the remainder of the island where the hillsides are lush with crops and flowers. There is no denying this is still a beautiful island.

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.

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.