Definitely cooler up here in the mountains, at nearly 900m, but we have electric hook up for the heating and a lovely sunrise anyway. We take our time over breakfast then service the van in situ as the pitches here have water and drains, so it is around 11:30 when we check out and trundle slowly down the track in first gear. Our first stop is in nearby Monchique after climbing up through a hill of eucalyptus and mimosa. This little town is most famous fo...

The temperature dropped last night and we need to put on the heating before getting up, but there is an almost cloudless sky and the bay looks as beautiful as it did on our first morning here. We watch three fishing boats literally racing to the quay in Portimao then it is time to say our goodbyes and leave Nick and Grete after five weeks together. Driving across to Portimao there are storks everywhere on chimneys and lamposts. The town is not that attractiv...

Although we've seen enough of Ferragudo for this trip and should be moving on, it's convenient to stay one more day. First we are waiting for some e-mails about ferry times. Second we have a restaurant reservation to have a nice meal together before we leave N+G, who are staying in the Algarve for a few more weeks, and start our homeward journey. February ferries are limited and it boils down to St Malo on the 13th, Santander on the 11th or Bilbao on the 9...

Patchy cloud and sunshine today, but mostly sun. Nick W arrives with a small bucket contaning a bright red starfish about six inches across. We have some of last night's steak in sandwiches for lunch then amble arond the camper area and into the square for coffee and wifi. Later we return to the little Italian bistro for another lovely, simple meal.

We wake to a beautiful, bright sunny morning. The low sun lights up the colourful buildings of Portmao on the other side of the river. Gulls plunge into the oil-calm surface of the harbour to catch fish and a cormorant runs and flaps across the shoreline scrabbling for lift in the cool air. We have our 'fat-boy' breakfast/brunch at 11:00 sitting outside in 18C. As we are eating a small crested lark runs around our feet obviously familiar with humans and ...