Portugal Surf Trip

Following an idea inspired (i.e. ripped-off) from some boys from Durham Uni we'd organised flights, hire cars and accommodation in the Algarve for some winter surfing action.

Following a gay-early start, Matt, Rick and I arrived at Stanstead, boats in tow, at the ridiculous time of 5am. After meeting Chris we had some fun with airport trolleys and cask's which suddenly seemed a lot longer in a crowded airport.

Despite having enough time to make the plane, Chris, Matt and Rick managed to drag their feet enough that I was left standing on the tarmac by myself, with everyone else already on the plane. I was considering ways of stalling the plane, included but not limited to chaining myself to the landing gear, thankfully, potential terrorist related problems were avoided when the three of them saunter up, not a care in the world it would seem.

A dull two and a half hour flight later we arrived into Faro to find the weather sunny and warm, in November! After some difficulty with a maxed-out credit card and a missing strap we managed to get two hire cars are were ripping it towards the coast. Only one wrong turn later and we arrived at Casa Linda to find a pretty decent two bedroom house, complete with swimming pool! Due to some slight confusion we ended had two singles and a double bed. Despite everyone fighting to have Ricky touch them in the night, Matt was the sharpest and was setting up the aromatic candles quicker than you could say George Michael.

Our host was nowhere to be seen so we took a drive to the local beach which considering we'd been in rainy London only a few hours previous was really quite special.

unfortunately, the same can't be said for what could only optimistically be called 'surf'.

fortunately there's about a dozen beaches within an hour or so of where we were staying so we headed down the coast to find more amazing beaches but pretty piddly surf. Not to be put of, we got on anyway and made the most of what was probably only two or three foot worth of action (I've always wanted to say that).

We paddled until the sun dissapared over the horizon and drove dangerously fast back to the house. We had a few beers, wondered where our host, the famous Linda of Casa Linda was and generally kicked-back.

Following day the weather was still great, the beaches still amazing but the surf still pretty poor. We spent quite a bit of time driving down the coast trying to find bigger surf. In the end we settled for a beach right on the south-west point of Portugal. Matt and I enjoyed taking a bit of pasting in the breaking waves before getting off and walking back up the beach where Chris, sensibly had chose a spot which didn't even getting face's full of wave every ten seconds. We made the most of only slightly bigger surf but still had a great time.

That evening we went into town, had a few beers and headbutted some restaurant windows (Matt)!

By the third day we were seeing a definite link between calm, sunny weather and no surf. We opted for the nearest beach, had a few easy sessions, sat on the beach, drank some beers and checked out the hairy Portuguese girls.

Following our last evening of setting fire to Jeffrey Archer books and still pondering why Linda had still not shown herself, we got an early-ish night before dashing back to Faro. It obviously goes without saying we made the trip to the airport much more stressful than was necessary but on the plus point we discovered the benefit of paying nine euros for no excess insurance.

The witty list of damage Ricky and I did to our hire car:-
- Snapped off aerial
- Bent bumper from reversing into a lamppost
- Dented and gouged roof from using punctured inflatable roof racks

The no excess standard has been set!

So, all in all, an amazing trip, the weather was great, the beaches great and the beer cheap, just a shame about the surf. We're already looking into another similar trip in February or March, can't wait.

Dave.