Summer continues .....

 "A life without love is like a year without summer."
- Swedish Proverb

Sunshine at last

Had a wonderful family holiday in Spain and Portugal, an area we have visited many times before.   Photos really don’t capture the experience, but we have our memories.

Until a suspension bridge was built between, Portugal and Spain over the river Guadiana when Portugal hosted the UEFA Cup in 1992, this part of Costa de la Luz was quite secluded and is even now, compared to other resorts.  This means that we have easy access to Monte Gordo, Tavira and Olhao in the Eastern Algarve as well as the Spanish resorts.  There is a 1 hour time difference. 

 a spit of sand makes a natural harbour

A spit of sand forms a natural harbour and fish are plentiful as they are trapped at low tide

 Views from the balcony of our apartment

We stay in Isla Canela, almost an island but attached to the mainland by a series of canals.  Here there is a beach resort, a harbour and a golf course; what more could you possibly want?

 The nearest town is Ayamonte, where Team GB sprinters practised.  The alternative route to Portugal from using the bridge is the passenger/car ferry which sails from Ayamonte to Vila Real de San António, in Eastern Algarve. 

Vila Real de San António, in Eastern Algarve.   

 Ayamonte

 Monte Gordo

 The suspension bridge joining the two countries

This walkway and cycle path lined with palm trees and wrought iron benches in front of our apartment skirted the beach.  It stretched to Isla Canela Playa on one side and Punta del Moral, the harbour, on the other.  We exercised here every morning when it was like rush hour with joggers, roller bladers, power walkers and cyclists.

 The uncultivated vegetation

Barriada Canela is a fishing neighbourhood between Ayamonte and Isla Canela; very Spanish and picturesque.  In July every year sailors parade the streets with a statue of their patron saint Virgin de Carmen on their shoulders from the Chapel and into the water.

Quiz

Our regular team met up for another quiz, this time with a Hawaiian theme.  We won a prize again; for our answers not our outfits!



 Steve (L) the barman who organises the events and Val (R)

5K Fun Run
Very proud of my daughter and friends who trained hard and completed the race with good times.They were running for SANDS 
Well done ladies!

Reading

Jonathan Kellerman’s Billy Straight; good psychological thrille

Martina Cole’s Two Women about a dysfunctional family in London’s East End

Barbara Zitver The JM Barrie Ladies’ Swimming Society for the feel good factor

Strangely, I find that the details, such as title and author, of literature read from the Kindle is more difficult to recall than in the paper version.

Some outstanding short stories are available for download to Kindle or PC, mine included.  (see  http://www.5minutefiction.co.uk and http://www.alfiedog.com/)  but check out this author on her website for an excellent read:  http://rosentrevithick.co.uk/

Writing  

Had short story published, submitted another which has been accepted plus two pieces read out on local radio.  This is the seventh month of the Write 1 Submit 1 challenge.  

Watched

Olympics.  Nothing else on.  The closing ceremony was amazing; showing London in a good light; such a contrast to the riots of a year ago.