Thank You to the Scottish Ex-pat!

[James Faro]

Three weeks ago when we arrived in Carvoeiro I was trying to decipher a map that the tour operator gave me to find a villa I was staying at in Albandeira. It wasn't a map but a Chinese alegbra diagram!

After two fruitless hours of driving around in the baking heat and being tired from flying nd being thirsty we stopped at a cafe near a steep mountainous cliff road to ask for directions. Not only did he give directions he came out of the cafe drove into his car and told us to follow him.If it wasn't for him it would have been hours more before we found the damn villa of which its location bears no resemblence to the map!

He was a delightful man and now lives in Carvoeiro. He originally came from Aberdeen.

We really were grateful and if he is reading this or if you know of him please give him a big THANK YOU.

Cheers - James

[Gambrinus]

drove into his car and told us to follow him.

It is probably a typo, but I can't help but wondering what the scot was drinking before he drove into his own car?

[James Faro]

He was definitely sober. Probably drinking a soft drink and having lunch. If that was in London someone else offering to follow. then we'd be buried in a ditch! I keep forgetting that outside cities people are genuinely helpful.

- James

[SJ & RE]

He missed it, he missed it Gambrius, I was doodling a piccy of it just as you wrote it, bang, he drove into his car.
Sorry, i do hope someone says thanks to the real kind man who helped you for you.

[Michael Crane]

.... If that was in London someone else offering to follow. then we'd be buried in a ditch! I keep forgetting that outside cities people are genuinely helpful....James

I have done this a couple of times, directed people to follow me through Lincoln. Once, when walking into town a lorry driver asked me for directions. It was too complicated to tell him from where we were, so I hopped into the cab and off we went. He quickly made his delivery and then we returned to the city centre where he dropped me off and he continued his journey.

[lincdoc]

I've done exactly the same myself Mike. Lincoln is a bloody difficult place to give directions and my Tom Tom bears no relation to Lincoln city council's road system. I suppose most cities are like that now. Never had to give anyone directions in CVO yet but with the current situation I'm a bit apprehensive ( going out in 3 weeks time - first visit since Jan) Hope we can cope with the new road system. Have to say all the posts and photos have been very helpful.

[James Faro]

One year one and I never did find the identity of that very helpful Scottish chap giving directions.

Every time I have booked a villa for CVO ,the tour operator when handing the villa keys at the airport, hand out the most atrocious squibbles for directions. I am off in September for 2-to-3 weeks and if I again use a tour operator for a villa I will draw up my own bloody map and fax it back to their head office in Faro!

- J

[Stevie-C]

He was a delightful man and now lives in Carvoeiro. He originally came from Aberdeen.

Aberdonians are great people

[Ellie]

My late Mama loved Scotland and went there regularly for hoidays....in fact I almost had a Scots step-father
My lovely mum had a fling with a man called Jock...my cousin(who went there with Mum) said they really hit it off. I do so wish she had re-married(she was widowed at 45)...Im sure Id have learned to love 'Jock'

Before we came to live in Algarve my 2 sons travelled up to Scotland and said how beautiful it was...they went up to Loch Ness & actually went on the Loch. My youngest who was about 10 said it was eerie and he expected any minute for the monster to surface

Ive only been as far as Jedburgh, which was very nice..we travelled up via the East side..beautiful country

[James Faro]

Much to my shame I have never been to Scotland. I have never heard of the expression Aberdonians. What a lovely name

[Stevie-C]

Much to my shame I have never been to Scotland. I have never heard of the expression Aberdonians. What a lovely name

Aberdonians come from Aberdeen
Glaswegians come from Glasgow
Dundonians come from Dundee

You should hold your head in shame James come up and see us some time. I don't tend to travel too much in Scotland but a should really do it more often but there is always somewhere more exotic to go to. However two weeks ago I walked from Milngavie to Fort William on the West Highland Way, approx 100 miles according to my GPS. Some beautiful scenery especially around Loch Lomond but also some very remote areas. If you get the chance try it but watch out for the Scottish midge, fearsome littel critter . A tough walk in places but if you don't do the 20 odd miles per day and get your bags carried from one overnight stop to the other it will be much easier, trust me, still suffering a bit now.

Just to add that I went walking in England last year, 84 miles from Wallsend in Newcastle to Bowness-on-Solway, yes you guessed it, Hadrian's wall. Again some tough stages but easier to manage if you break it down into smaller chunks.

So, get you walking gear out and see the whole country. Must admit though that I have never been to Wales, sorry Gaynor but I have it on my list of " must do one day"

Been to Dublin about 4 times to watch Rugby but didn't see much more that the inside of a pub must do better

[James Faro]

Stevie,

I will make a trip this year to Scotland. The flights are so cheap and nearby. I would like to visit Edinburgh for the history an architecture. I have two siblings I will be taking too. They like the preferences I have chosen because that entails SHOPS, SHOPS, SHOPS, and oh did I mention shops?

I go to Dublin about four times a year and I am off there on Friday morning until next Monday. Dublin is so nice in the summer!

[Stevie-C]

Stevie,

I will make a trip this year to Scotland. The flights are so cheap and nearby. I would like to visit Edinburgh for the history an architecture. I have two siblings I will be taking too. They like the preferences I have chosen because that entails SHOPS, SHOPS, SHOPS, and oh did I mention shops?

I go to Dublin about four times a year and I am off there on Friday morning until next Monday. Dublin is so nice in the summer!

You and your family will enjoy Edinburgh James. The castle is a place you must visit, enjoy Dublin

[Gary/Gaynor]

I have had at least three holidays in Scotland, visited Edinburgh , Dunfries, Gretna Green. My mother has travelled to the Highlands as she has Scottish ancenstors. I never made it that far but is on the to do list when Gary and I eventuallym ove back to the UK. I really enjoyed Scotland and the time I spent looking at the gallaries and architecture.
Gaynor

[EMM]

We give detailed instructions and maps and so far no problems,, apart from a few who have ignored the maps and bought their sat navs with them.
They usually are directed off the motorway at Alcantrahila ( we say stay on until lagoa ) are. directed down past Intermarche ( they miss the turn up to the Solfeiras ) end up in the village one ended up in Val de Milho. Contrary to 90% of our directions.

We had one call from a frustrated family ( with sat nav ) over an hour late only to find them at the bottom of our road red faced and obviously in the middle of an arguement.
Why do people bring their sat navs to the Algarve ???