It was a slow start today as it was a bad night. It was hot and there was a squadron of mosquitoes, or at least what sounded like one, in our bedroom. Turned out that the aircon was making a noise that made it sound like mosquitoes and then we also had a real squadron of mosquitoes in room that were feasting on me most of the night. Needless to say I didn't sleep much and...

Another day, another game of golf. I got up at 8am so that I could have chat to my two direct reports whose last day it was in the office for a few weeks.  One is going on holiday for 2 weeks and the other is going on the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD (in Fountainebleau in France). That brings back memories because that was the first time I started blogging while away.  Helen went for...

Another leisurely day in Vilamoura. The weather was back to the predictable - high 20s, light breeze, no cloud in the sky for most of the day. I reckon the weather stays like this for most of the summer. The breeze tends to pick up from about mid-morning and sometimes becomes quite strong but besides that you would have to say it is ideal weather. Helen and I were up at a reasonable time and Helen...

After another late night last night watching football go into extra time, we slept in again. A late breakfast (at 10am) on the roof top was this morning accompanied by live guitar music. It seemed fitting to be sitting on the roof of the hotel looking over Seville eating breakfast with classical guitar music in the background. And the guy was even quite good. We drove back today from Seville to Vilamoura. We decided to drive...

After a late night last night watching the end of the Germany v Algeria game (which went into extra time), we all slept in this morning.  We had a continental breakfast on the roof of the hotel with views over the city of Seville. It was already pretty warm at 10am and it was clear it was going to be a hot day. We walked to the Old Town especially to see the Seville Cathedral and...

Today we left Portugal for a few days to do some exploring in nearby Spain. Spain is only just over 60 kms from Vilamoura. We left at about 11am after having a leisurely breakfast and doing some quick packing.  We were heading to Seville for the next few days.  Seville is only just over 200 kms away and it is pretty much motorway the whole way.  You cross the Rio Guadiana which is the boundary between...

My family (my biggest critics of course) are complaining my blogs are very short. My response was that it is because we have done very little every day. That's not a complaint - it is just a fact. We are all quite enjoying the chilled holiday. Just reading, sleeping (the kids are doing enough of that for the whole family), golfing, cycling, occasional visit to the shops, swimming, watching football and a little bit of sightseeing....

The weather here is getting predictable. Another day with not a cloud in the skies ... oh wait ... I did see one this evening. A little wispy one. About 28C today with a light breeze. Perfect day for golf. Well, maybe slightly too hot, could have been a few degrees cooler. Michael and I did play a round of golf again today. This time at the Millennium course (http://www.oceanicogolf.com/our-courses/oceanico-millennium-golf-course/). It was a much nicer course...

We did some sightseeing in the local area today. After everyone eventually got up and had breakfast we headed out at 11am. First stop was São Rafael beach. It took us a bit of a time to find the right road down to the beach. I haven't yet fully understood Portuguese roads and road signs yet.  They have traffic lights in the strangest of places as well. On the main road they will have a traffic...

Another beautiful weather day in Vilamoura. The temperature got up to 30C today. Michael and I had booked to play our first round of golf in Vilamoura. Our tee off time was 11:15am. We brought our clubs over with us and when I went to take my clubs out of the golf carrier bag I found my driver's shaft had snapped. Not a great start to the round and we haven't even started playing yet. We...