Guitar Getaway - Portugal

I really don’t like flying. It’s not the actual flying itself that I dislike but the early starts, interminable waits and being herded around like cattle. After my leisurely train trip to Leatherhead last week, I set off at 0415 on Friday morning to catch a flight to Gatwick and then onward to Faro for a Guitar Getaway in Alvor just along the Portuguese coast. The flight from Gatwick to Faro left at 1310 and I could have got a later flight from Edinburgh but this would have meant a transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick which I didn’t relish carrying a heavy bag and a guitar! The flight to Gatwick was practically empty and boarding took no time at all. The flight to Gatwick landed ahead of schedule which made for an even longer wait for my connection. After what seemed the longest wait of my life I boarded the plane to find someone sitting in my seat. A stewardess arrived on the scene and asked me if I could move to the back of the plane so as not to split up what was a large family party. Since she set aside an entire row for me at the very back I jumped at the offer. The flight was fine and we arrived slightly early and I was at the hotel and checked in just after half past five. After unpacking I met Sharon and Stu in the bar for a couple of drinks before we walked along to a local restaurant for tea.

I spent yesterday relaxing around the hotel, changed the strings on my guitar and played a few songs on the verandah in the sunshine. The group are arriving in dribs and drabs with a guy, Chris, who I have met before at a Guitar Weekend in Wales being the first to arrive. The four of us walked into Alvor to find somewhere to eat and visit the Irish Pub where we will be playing later in the week. We met the manager who offered Stu both next Thursday and Saturday nights for our “performance”. We ate in a wee local restaurant in one of the main streets.

I went for a nice walk this morning along the boardwalk and then into Alvor. Stu had told me there was a castle which I wanted to see and I also wanted to take some photographs. There was a small food market on the quayside and I stopped for a look around before have a coffee in one of the small bars. I wandered around the town but failed to find the castle.