I’m sat watching Glastonbury highlights; local lads the Arctic Monkeys are headlining and I love them. I will go one year  – Ive ONLY been saying that for the past 20 years. The idea is romantic , the reality not so.  I cant cope with wee in my hair ( at a recent gig I looked like I’d been in the blinking shower and I smelt divine) never mind not washing for 3 or 4 days!

The weather outside is decidely bleak and Liz my blogging buddy is in Spain. I’ve been back off my holidays a whole 3 weeks, my tan appears to have fell off and to be honest it feels like I’ve never been…I have and I blinking loved it.

We spent a glorious week in Alvor, Algarve at the end of May . Its a beautiful resort,  very child friendly with fabulous beaches. D’s kids had never been abroad before which added to the excitement. Its also the first time I’ve been away with D’s children. If I’m honest I was dreading it, I’m  used to getting ‘merry’ and to partying all night with the girls. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Lets just say there were some little disagreements but all in all it was fine. In fact I came back fresh as a daisy and not in need of another holiday, like I usually do!

So after spending some time looking through my photos I thought I would share some memories with you.

You got your seat-belts on as  here we go…

I bought myself  a little treat on the plane journey out to Portugal. GLAMGLOW face mask. If its good enough for Micheal Buble then its good enough me.

To be honest I’m not overly impressed , I cant see its even made that much difference. Juries out on this one…A review will no doubt follow!

While Eddie proceeded to terrorise Dad…

Bling, sunglasses and Body Oil – Holiday essentials

These 2 little munchkins  – Georgy (11) & Eddie (7) – spent the majority of the holidays  in the Pool. Im surprised they didn’t grow fins…

           

We stayed at the lovely Hotel Alvor Baia, a fairly new hotel which only opened in August last year. Its very stylish, spacious and clean looking . All black and white with splashes of colour here and there.

There’s FREE wifi but only within the Reception area. This pleased me a lot as I think I am addicted to Instagram!

You know the song that goes  ‘fresh, fresh exciting’ … well that’s this hotel to a T.  The pool is enormous, it was freezing and it dominates the external seating area.

A great play area for small children

Eddie tackles the yoghurt at Breakfast. Look at the concentration on that face!

I got quite partial to coffee and cake for breakfast …

and cocktail of the day at 10.00am on the dot, much to the amusement of the waiters. Well I was on holiday…

The Beach…

You could walk ;  its hot and sticky but luckily on the way there it’s all downhill . It will take you around half an hour to get there from the Hotel.. maybe a-little longer with small children.

There is however a bus – train to the beach directly from outside the hotel. Its very slow … you could probably walk faster but its free and we tended to use it to get to the beach and back. Its easier than walking down with children; it keeps them amused, stops the whinging before it starts.

We were advised by the locals that the  beach was known as The 3 Brothers Beach because of the rocks which lead out into the sea. Its breathtaking, it really is.

This is what happens when I feel the sand between my toes and the sea is within  my sight! whoooooo!!

The same happens to Georgy … we were practically jumping for joy all over!

Alvor Town

A 15 minte stroll in the opposite direction takes you into Alvor Town. I always make it a mission to find the local church.

He didn’t let me down…

The Mother Church of the Holy Saviour is a glorious building

Down at the Marina of Portimao

The Lanes of Alvor… bright and beautiful

Holiday Outfits

A snippet into my holiday wardrobe – a couple of the outfits I wore. I’m not sure about you but I love seeing what other people mooched around in…

My Andy Pandy Oufit…Bought from Primark a couple of years ago, which I have recently re-discovered.

From Bedroom Floor to reality …

Shorts with my favourite Zara top – don’t mind if I do …when in  Portugal do as the locals do! Get yer legs out!!

Below : Dress by New Look

Sorry all the outfit pics have been taken by myself. I have an impatient partner who cant take a photo to save his life –  I refer to it as shaky hand syndrome , and if truth be known can’t be bothered to take photos of me either!

All in all we had a great time, and the week flew by far too quickly. Alvor really is a beautiful place with something for everybody.

I hope our paths cross again one day… soon!

* snaps finger * and its back to reality …

I’ve got some catching up to do on  Glastonbury, and I need another Baileys on Ice.

I plan to slouch on the settee,  half naked with my glass of creamy deliciousness; the perfect place to watch in the safe knowledge I can then trot off to my warm ‘mud-free’ bed and dream of yet more holidays

Tracey x