A winter break in the Algarve. 21/11/09 - 05/12/09. (1 Viewer)

[Peewit]

Hi Pam and Emma

Thank you for your super report, superb pictures, and I really enjoyed sharing your trip with you and your family.

How awful that people would steal your equipment from your car like that, and cause all those problems for you - how mean minded is that! :C
It makes us think about what we leave in our cars in any car park!

Your list of birds reminded me of a lot of what I saw in Spain this year. The Shrikes are something else are they not.
Great to see a Cetti's Warbler and the other Warblers that you where lucky to find where a bonus.

Black Winged Stilts are just one of the most graceful birds to watch - the legs are some length in comparison with the body. The White Kite what a stunner to see.

Could go on here, you have given me thoughts of Spain now. Now I really look forward to going to Spain next year now.

Loved sharing your holiday with you, and it is good to see you back here. :gh::gh:

Regards
Kathy
x

 

[JCLynn]

That was a fantastic read Pam & Emma!! What a busy holiday, and so many super sights!
Shame about the sour edge caused by the break in, but I'm glad that it didn't spoil the rest of the trip.
Thanks for posting, I loved it!
Joe

 

[palval147]

I enjoyed your report, Emma. Super photo's too, it certainly is a lovely place to visit with lots of excellent birds sighted.

 

[Pam_m]

Sorry to take so long to reply, Pam. I had just read the first day of your holiday when my hairdresser turned up!
Anyhoo, I am sorry about the break in - how on earth did they know you had things in the boot? I wonder if they had been watching you. What a nasty thing to happen.

I was interested to hear what a lovely selection of birds and wildlife you saw and trust that you still enjoyed your break.

My gut feeling is that we were watched, Kits. We still enjoyed an excellent holiday, best not to let the &*^%^&&* get you down! Thanks for your kind words.:t:
Hope you were pleased with your hair-do!

Great report Pam, I recognise loads of your locations, commiserations on the break-in, I know how you feel having suffered the same sort of thing here in the UK.
Tonight on the local news was a report saying that easyjet are going to start flying from Robin Hood airport just down the road from me. Faro is going to be just a couple of hours away...you never know I might be able to get myself back to the Algarve for a couple of days birding on the cheap.

Sorry to hear you had the same happen in the UK, Keith! Put's you on your guard in the future doesn't it.
That is going to be a handy airport, Keith! Go on, treat Sheila to a New Years break! Best wishes to Sheila, I hope and trust that she is keeeping well!:t:

Nice report Pam & Emma
Thanks for sharing.
Mick
:t:



October Alagarve : go to:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=154269

Our pleasure to share! Thank you, Mick!:t:

Hi Pam and Emma
Thank you for your super report, superb pictures, and I really enjoyed sharing your trip with you and your family.
How awful that people would steal your equipment from your car like that, and cause all those problems for you - how mean minded is that! :C
It makes us think about what we leave in our cars in any car park!
Your list of birds reminded me of a lot of what I saw in Spain this year. The Shrikes are something else are they not.
Great to see a Cetti's Warbler and the other Warblers that you where lucky to find where a bonus.
Black Winged Stilts are just one of the most graceful birds to watch - the legs are some length in comparison with the body. The White Kite what a stunner to see.
Could go on here, you have given me thoughts of Spain now. Now I really look forward to going to Spain next year now.
Loved sharing your holiday with you, and it is good to see you back here. :gh::gh:

Regards
Kathy
x

Thank you for your kind words, Kathy!:t: The S G Shrike was a beauty to see and the Black Winged Kite was an awesome sight to see as it hovered over the scrub!

That was a fantastic read Pam & Emma!! What a busy holiday, and so many super sights!
Shame about the sour edge caused by the break in, but I'm glad that it didn't spoil the rest of the trip.
Thanks for posting, I loved it!
Joe

Glad you loved it, Joe! Thanks!:t: It was busy...and fun!!!!

 

[BazR]

What a great report Pam and Emma. The narratives excellent and the pics superb. My commiserations on the stolen equipment. The fingers of the thieves should rot off one-by-one and painfully.
I do hope it didn't put too much of a damper on your holiday, even though it might have left a nasty taste in your mouth. There's always a chance that the thieves might trip over the step going into the 'fences' shop, and break a leg.
Thanks for sharing your holiday with us.

Baz.

 

[Emma]

Thank you for your kind comments Keith, Mick, Kathy, Joe, Val and Baz, I am pleased that you all enjoyed reading about our sightings! I couldn't believe what had happened with the binoculars and camera equipment being stolen so I was determined that we would all have a super week of birding, think the birds must have sensed my wish as they came out in their droves for us!! It was a really super time to go bird watching over there as there seemed to be much more about than Sept/Oct with the sighting of the Black Winged Kite and numerous Black Redstarts etc!!

 

[Pam_m]

Thank you very much indeed for your kind reply, Baz!:t:

 

[Brian Bullough]

What a great read, it was good to meet you all,at Pera Marsh , the time goes quickly and its back to the rain ,rain ,rain.
Brian
(a kind northumbrian gentleman) I wonder if I should use that in my signature !!! actually we are all gentleman up here in the north .

 

[Pam_m]

I am pleased you enjoyed the report, Brian! It was good to meet you both. The holiday does seem a long while ago, I think Christmas preparations are taking over now.lol!!

I am sure you are all gentlemen 'up North'! Go on, use it in your signature! If the cap fits......o

 

[brianfm]

I've just caught up with this thread. Sounds like you all had a great spell of birding Pam and Emma. I enjoyed the read on a cold wintery day up here in the north!

Very sorry to hear of the break-in. It sounds a very similar experience to mine in Extremadura a couple of years ago. My colleague's van was broken into, a spade pushed through the window! No doubt they target tourists with expensive equipment. In our case they were after the scopes, but had not bargained for the dog under the seat! Poor dog was left traumatised, but the scum must have got a shock too as they only got my bag before they ran. The scopes were left. I had strong prescription medication in the bag and told the police this. The police comment was 'We hope it makes them very ill'. No one was hurt, and as you say that is the main thing. All being well, I'm off to Andalusia with a mate in April, and we'll be taking every precaution that we can. I have to say, the sour taste my experience left, was eased immensely by the help offered by several of the local inhabitants, one of whom came to the police station with us and acted as interpretor.

Cheers
From another 'gentleman' up north.

 

[Pam_m]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the read, Brian.

A lesson learnt with the theft from the car, nothing of any value will be left in the boot of a car ever again, here in the UK or abroad! As you will have read it did not spoil what was a long awaited for and much enjoyed holiday.