In October 2019 I hired a Camper Van and toured around The Lake District's beautiful countryside. Had a great day out on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway.

A walk through Morningside, Braidburn and a climb up Blackford Hill and on to the Southside and John Leslie Pub.

Towards the end of summer of 2018 on sailing trip, I spent some time on Kerrera waiting for a change of crew and heading back to Largs through the Crinan Canal. At that time CalMac did a tour from Oban to Iona which included all transport by ferry and bus so I packed my ruck sac and set off for the ferry.

After a week in La Perdrix, St Martin De Riberac playing guitar I started on thr journey home, first stopping off in Sarlat for a couple of nights. I visited to the small town of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, the château and Musée National de Préhistoire. Then on to Brantôme a pretty town on the La Dronne. I also spent some time at Château des Milandes once the home of Joséphine Baker an American-born French entertainer, activist, and French Resistance agent.

I have been going to Guitar Retreats for some years now, mostly in the UK and France. This was the first GR in Portugal - a bit of winter sunshine. The Retreat was held in the splendid Pestana Dom João II right on the wonderful Praia de Alvor. We sepnt a week there and also visited the nearby town of Lagos. I hired a car and drove to Farol do Cabo de São Vicente.

This was my first Guitar Retreat at La Perdrix. I stayed with Sue and Chris before we flew to Bergerac. A memorable Retreat for a number of reasons, not least Nancy from New Zealand.