The end of January brought home the fact that we’re over half way through our winter in Portugal and what a delight it’s been! We often wonder how on earth we used to manage with a two week holiday when we were both working! (I know, I know, we’re now spoilt I admit but we were wage slaves for over 40 years!!!). We’ve booked our return tunnel crossing for 10th March! 

One of our favourite spots and this is
where we are right now!
Praia Boca do Rio 


We haven’t driven far since my last update, just backwards and forwards around the same area on the western Algarve. We have found several new places to stay, mostly wild spots which we love not just because they are “free” but because we enjoy the views and the carefree way of life they allow.


Sunrise over “our” lagoon


We’ve met up with Glen and Pete again occasionally and keep in touch via whats app with them on an almost daily basis; like twitchers we let each other know what birds we have seen. The birding has been a highlight of this trip, we’ve seen quite a few “new to us” species, helped enormously by the good weather and fantastic light. Species we’ve never seen before include waxbills and bluethroat both of which we were thrilled to see. 

Birdwatching with Glen and Pete,
the telescope is focussed on an osprey


Clifftop walk overlooking Salema beach

We’re back to being able to walk the dogs together again, occasionally it’s Old Man Dash (now 12) who gets left behind as he suffers from sore paws and arthritis so he needs a day off now and again.

Pleasant walk over the hillside
at Ingrina



The weather has been mostly fine, we’ve had a lot of sunny days with temperatures in the high teens, if one can get out of the wind then it’s lovely to sit with kindle or audiobook and enjoy the sun and the view. Our new solar panels have worked well keeping our batteries topped up admirably. We’ve had a few wet/cloudy days when we’ve needed a hook up or managed being frugal with use of electricity.

Praia do Baranco

Here be flamingoes, spoonbills and avocets 

Breakfast with Glen and Pete in Alvor