Close season holiday reports..?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Just to keep the rest of us poverty stricken ones informed, how's about a "Holiday Report!" from wherever...?

Old Colner can kick us off with a report from the Algarve? :D

[Altobelli]

Always wanted to go to Portugal but not got there yet, the Daughter in law has gone their for the last 2 years in a beautiful apartment, but this year the price has doubled so she's not going, folk are saying that people are flocking there as there (as yet) have not been any Terrorist action and they are cashing in big time which unfortunately will stop families returning and in the long run they will have killed their golden goose.

Had my main holiday in South Africa in February, taking 3 weeks in September on my regular jaunt to Turkey at my friends lavish Villa, not forgetting the weekend at Barry Island in August :)

[Balanbam00]

Holidays , there you go

https://www.israel21c.org/69-fabulous-reasons-we-love-israel/

and

https://youtu.be/pO5o454q7eY (Top 28 The most beautiful Israeli women )

[oldcolner]

Just to keep the rest of us poverty stricken ones informed, how's about a "Holiday Report!" from wherever...?

Old Colner can kick us off with a report from the Algarve? :D

We are actually going to the Spanish side of Faro rather than the Algarve as it's very Portuguese, it's not very touristy apart from Portuguese who come for holidays, but has some great 5 star apartments with swimming pools on the roof with sea views and cheap boats to local islands with deserted beaches, great local markets to buy your meals and lots of cheap good quality restaurants too.
The Ria Formosa near Faro is a National Park with lots of wildlife and usually has flocks of flamingos, lots of storks, waders, hoopoes.
Apart from more than 200 species of birds that visit the park regularly, there are over 300 species of molluscs, 11 amphibians and 15 reptiles, including the endangered and extremely localised Chameleon. (Not seen them yet!)

Having said all that the promised sunshine and 27degrees looks to have changed to cloud in today's forecasts.

[Balanbam00]

Chameleon's, there you go .

http://i65.tinypic.com/344v9fc.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/2vwrzo6.jpg

http://i64.tinypic.com/nf63v5.jpg

[oldcolner]

Thanks Balam

Not seen any yet, but then don't they change colour to blend into their surroundings?

Don't know if any of you are holidaying using Ryanair, but if so and you want a car, they have twice come up trumps for me at Faro. Last year I got a convertible golf brand new for £10 a day and this year a brand new Renault Captur for the same price. (Includes two drivers)

[sinkov]

We've been to Tavira twice OC, we really like it there. First time was about 15 years ago, then we went back last year. It's changed a bit over the years, more touristy, the old fish market has gone, modern shops and restaurants in the market hall now. Still like it better than the west side of Faro though, much quieter. The Nature Reserve just outside Olhao is well worth a visit if you haven't been before, it's a bugger to find though and we never saw any signs for it.

Have a good holiday.

[alfinyalcabo]

Obrigado

[oldcolner]

We've been to Tavira twice OC, we really like it there. First time was about 15 years ago, then we went back last year. It's changed a bit over the years, more touristy, the old fish market has gone, modern shops and restaurants in the market hall now. Still like it better than the west side of Faro though, much quieter. The Nature Reserve just outside Olhao is well worth a visit if you haven't been before, it's a bugger to find though and we never saw any signs for it.

Have a good holiday.

Obrigado Alf

Sinkov
We are actually in Olhao and have been to Tavira a few times The Rio Formosa Park covers around 20 km South of the coastline from Tavira to the East of Faro so you see some of it when you land at the airport. Islands run parallel to coast for this distance creating a lagoon. At low tide it's mud flats and islands like Armona Farol Culatra and Deserta which have great beaches you can take a boat trip Olhao is still a fishing and market town and Tavira is a bit more touristy. The salt flats here often have a flock of hundred flamingos in them though they keep well away from us.

Here's some more about it if you fancy coming back. It's our fourth time here.

The Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the most amazing places of the Algarve, not only for its variety of landscapes but also because of its unique location. Recently elected as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal, this is one of three protected areas not to be missed during your holidays in the Algarve. This is a unique coastal lagoon which is constantly changing due to the continuous movement of winds, currents and tides.

Classified as a Natural Park in 1987, the Ria Formosa encompasses an area of about 18 000 hectares, and is protected from the sea by 5 barrier-islands and 2 peninsulas: the Peninsula of Ancão that the locals call island of Faro, the Barreta Island also known as Ilha Deserta, the Culatra Island (where the lighthouse of Santa Maria is located), the Island of Armona, the Island of Tavira, Cabanas Island and, finally, the Peninsula of Cacela. This awesome area extends along the leeward coast of the Algarve through the municipalities of Loulé, Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.

Due to these natural features and its geographical location it was included in the list of wetlands of world-wide interest defined by the Ramsar Convention. In this protected area you may witness many different habitas such as barrier-islands, marshes, tidal flats, islets, dunes, saltpans, fresh water lagoons, agricultural areas and woodlands which hold a an impressive diversity of flora and fauna.

A paradise for birdwatchers, the Ria Formosa is considered an important bird area (IBA) and is part of the Natura 2000 Network. This is one of the most important areas for aquatic birds in Portugal, hosting on a regular basis more than 20,000 birds during the wintering period. The area is also very important as stop-over point in the migration routes between Europe and Africa and it provides shelter for rare species in Portugal such as the Purple Swamphen, the symbol of this Natural Park and for other emblematic species like the colorful flamingos.

On this Nature Park we can find other endangered species such as the chameleon - a reptile that only exists in the south of Portugal and the seahorse, where we have one of the largest populations of seahorses in the world.

The Ria Formosa is also known for the Portuguese Water Dog, a breed native from the Algarve and almost threatened with extinction some decades ago.

[outwoodclaret]

Just arrived New York and staying not far from the NY Mets stadium. Hoping to explore into Manhattan tomorrow and then meet up next week with family for my aunt's 100th birthday party. She left our shores by ship from Liverpool in 1929 and has been back once to England in 1966. Am going to see if I can get her a belated birthday telegram from the Queen.

[ThameClaret]

Just arrived New York and staying not far from the NY Mets stadium. Hoping to explore into Manhattan tomorrow and then meet up next week with family for my aunt's 100th birthday party. She left our shores by ship from Liverpool in 1929 and has been back once to England in 1966. Am going to see if I can get her a belated birthday telegram from the Queen.

That's a great story OC......Lots to do in Manhattan, if you get a chance, try a helicopter ride and a trip to Coney Island is also well worth it. Still takes me back to that great old film the "Warriors"
When in Coney, visit Nathan's - World Hot Dog eating championship venue, think I'm right in saying C Chester still holds the record of 78 in ten minutes !!!
I'm there in November for the NY Marathon, but currently sat around the pool in Corfu....all adults hotel

[The Bedlington Terrier]

That's a great story OC......Lots to do in Manhattan, if you get a chance, try a helicopter ride and a trip to Coney Island is also well worth it. Still takes me back to that great old film the "Warriors"
When in Coney, visit Nathan's - World Hot Dog eating championship venue, think I'm right in saying C Chester still holds the record of 78 in ten minutes !!!
I'm there in November for the NY Marathon, but currently sat around the pool in Corfu....all adults hotel

The life some people lead...:D

[oldcolner]

Andre posts another snap on twitter, showing off his tattoos, but no one else in the mix.
Looks lonely but spouting about equality being everything

https://mobile.twitter.com/AndreGray7/status/876393394033053698/photo/1

[ThameClaret]

Is he on holiday?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

No! He has bought a fishing dow. :p

[outwoodclaret]

Spent a long day travelling on the subway from Flushing on Long Island to downtown Manhattan to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. When we visited New York in 2011 the site was closed as it was being refurbished for the 10th anniversary of the attack. It has been a long wait getting there but worthwhile. It is still hard to imagine the sheer horror felt by those who witnessed and suffered in those appalling events but it is also humbling to witness the courage of the rescue services in the aftermath. 343 alone from the Fire Department of New York lost their lives trying to save lives.

Tomorrow we are promised a mystery tour around Long Island with a friend from Boston who has also travelled down to New York for my aunt's 100th birthday party.

Goodbye for now.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

The Grenfell Tower tragedy reminded us outwood of the sheer terror of being trapped and helpless in horrific circumstances as you are witnessing the history of the tragedy in New York.

Enjoy your trip and stay safe?

[outwoodclaret]

The Grenfell Tower tragedy reminded us outwood of the sheer terror of being trapped and helpless in horrific circumstances as you are witnessing the history of the tragedy in New York.

Enjoy your trip and stay safe? Yes BT the Grenfell Tower was very much in our minds yesterday as my wife and I toured the exhibit. There is almost no horror greater than being trapped in a burning building with no hope of escape. The terror of passengers on the planes as they realised they were going to be used as a human bomb. So many things that could haunt you and at the next turn make you thankful for the courage and humanity of strangers who would die to save you.

We are safe and looking forward to the rest of our trip.

[Altobelli]

Have a great time Outwood, could not get enough of Manhattan when I went although I did not look forward to it as I thought it would be full of loud outspoken yanks, but nothing could have been further from the truth as everyone was O.K. and I enjoyed it immensely, going back again next year B)

[outwoodclaret]

Much better weather here in NY after the heavy downpours for the first few days. Trips out in the sunshine to Fort Totten built during the American Civil War to guard the entrance to the East River and then the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park. Caught the bus back down into Manhattan along Fifth Avenue past Trump Tower. Śeemed pretty quite there now the FLOTUS And Barron Trump have moved to the White House. I love using the subways and buses here. Very reasonably priced and everyone has been really helpful.

[warminsterclaret]

Glad you're having a nice time Outwood. Me and Mrs Warminster off to Malta early October. Just the two of us for once. Not sure where to stay on the island yet.

[oldcolner]

In the mix 2
Seems little mix like their football with Perrie and Oxlade C on a boat too!

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/3858135/little-mix-perrie-edwards-fans-bum-lift-cheeky-picture-holiday-alex-oxlade-chamberlain/

[outwoodclaret]

New York behind us now and we are heading up the I-95 with an ultimate destination of Boston. We have stopped off en route for a two night stay in Mystic Connecticut. Tomorrow we will have a full day exploring the Mystic Seaport. My crystal ball says we are unlikely to locate Mystic Meg but there is plenty to do from visiting the maritime museum to sailing on the Mystic River. I may well sample some of the local wine.

[oldcolner]

Outwood lovely area
Did you look at New London and Groton on the way. Groton is the US submarine capital and has a museum there with USS Nautilus on display.
New London was one of the earliest settlements and is still home of the US Coast guard with Fort Turnbull and a rich history in the war of independence and summer home of writer Eugene ONeill. It had lots of money from whaling ao is a pretty town and you will see Tiffany glass in some church windows there.
Our cruise ship diverted to there and was the biggest ship ever to visit at that time 10 years ago.

[outwoodclaret]

Outwood lovely area
Did you look at New London and Groton on the way. Groton is the US submarine capital and has a museum there with USS Nautilus on display.
New London was one of the earliest settlements and is still home of the US Coast guard with Fort Turnbull and a rich history in the war of independence and summer home of writer Eugene ONeill. It had lots of money from whaling ao is a pretty town and you will see Tiffany glass in some church windows there.
Our cruise ship diverted to there and was the biggest ship ever to visit at that time 10 years ago.

Hi oldcolner. We were going to stop off in New London but were a little late starting out yesterday and the traffic over the bridges that take you off Long Island was very heavy. I'd have loved to go around the submarine museum and the Nautilus while Mrs Outwood was hoping for a ride on a steamboat a little further back on the coast at Es***. The scenery here is glorious and we are looking forward to getting out and about exploring as soon as we have finished breakfast at our hotel.

[Altobelli]

Keep your progress reports coming Outwood, its fascinating and I have a smile on my face knowing you are enjoying it :)

[outwoodclaret]

Thunderstorms were threatened here yesterday but the clouds held off and we had a harbour cruise in Mystic. Not quite the steamboat Mrs Outwood was hankering after but we got to see some of the old wooden ships that are preserved here along with a visiting replica Viking Longboat. Very appropriate as the Vikings were probably the first Europeans to sail to North America. The replica Mayflower was in Mystic last year undergoing renovations that will enable her to take part in the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers arriving from Plymouth. Our captain for the afternoon let on that Albert Einstein used to sail his own boat in the local waters but was apparently a terrible sailor and would run aground on the many sandbanks here. Off to Boston later on today.

[outwoodclaret]

A lovely couple of days just outside Boston and outside wi-fi range so this is catch up. We visited Lexington & Concord where the first two battles in the American Revolution took place. Touched to see the well tended grave of British soldiers killed at Concord and the battle green at Lexington which has been faithfully preserved to keep it looking just as it did in April 1775. Yesterday we caught the subway into central Boston and had a walk on Boston Common. We decided we wanted to do the city tour by land and water on a Duck but got to the ticket office too late. I suspect Mrs Outwood will be asking for a return visit to Massachusetts as she has now missed out on a steamboat ride and Duckboat tour. This weekend we are out in the country with friends and then on Monday we return to New York. Looking forward to spending July 4th in the Big Apple.

[Altobelli]

Wish I was with you Outwood

[suttonclaret]

Not a holiday .but burnley are world wide .I'm working with a guy from montreal who is a claret .

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Not a holiday .but burnley are world wide .I'm working with a guy from montreal who is a claret .

I am going to say, "I told you so on Taylor" suttonclaret. I hope to have another zinger for tomorrow!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Not in your lads league but we just came back from a lovely trip to Cleveland.

Saltburn up on the coast north of Whitby is a lovely, little hidden gem and the town of Yarm is simply gorgeous.

We sailed the "Teesside Princess" on Sunday afternoon for a River Tees "Navigator Cruise" with mid afternoon high tea and it was stunning!

YARM in all it's glory...

5182

[suttonclaret]

Hey up tec different time zones .in reply to your post .just about everyone knew about Taylor .has he signed yet ?.hope he does. I ain't here to have a go at no one .we are clarets .utc

[suttonclaret]

Ps try Sands ends it's nice as well .whitby is in God's county

[outwoodclaret]

Last few days of the holiday back in New York. Tuesday July 4th we were invited to an Independence Day BBQ at a friend's house on Long Island and heard the fireworks long into the night. Yesterday morning we went up to the observation deck on the 86th Floor of the Empire State Building. Spectacular views over Manhattan and the East and Hudson Rivers. Lunch of fish and chips at a great pub The Long Hall on East 34 St. You could watch either the tennis from Wimbledon or the New York Yankees v Toronto Blue Jays on their large screen TVs. In the afternoon took the subway uptown and went for a horse drawn carriage ride round Central Park. Today we will do a little local shopping and then pack ready for the flight home. Farewell America.