Not So Golden Algarve

Just back from a great Easter break on the Algarve, staying with friends in what's known as the 'Golden Triangle', the area of central Algarve between the two luxury resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo and the towns of Almanil and Quarteira. The 'Golden Triangle' - land of pleasure and plenty - though slightly less so these day it seems. Much local chatter about where to shop for bargains, from foodstuff to golf gear. And many developments remain empty or lie half-built, including the much anticipated 6-star Conrad apparthotel - rumour has it that buyers have been keen to withdraw and lose their significant deposits rather than maintain their 'investment' in a declining property maket. So the European recession impacts on even these golden shores. Further along the coast at Praia da Luz was another visitor, Gerry McCann, returning to the Ocean Club, the site of his daughter's tragic disappearance. The local newspaper reported him filming for a Channel 4 'Cutting Edge' documentary to be shown in May. And whilst the paper had respected his request for secrecy leading up to the visit, it gave full coverage of his 'on location' trip, including McCann's praise and appreciation of all that the local community had done for him and his family over the past two years, including his recognition that local jobs and tourism had also suffered. It seems that half the staff at the Ocean Club resort have just been fired with the 'Maddie Case' being cited as one of the reasons for the dismissals. And I noticed that in turn, Mark Warner has launched a legal action against its insurers, AIG, seeking compensation for loss of earnings following the 'Maddie Case' at the resort. It's not so Golden along the Algarve these days.

Staycations

I read that the latest holiday trend in these straitened times is not to go away at all but to stay at home, so much so that the 'staycation' is now on Collins English Dictionary's shortlist of new words to be included in their next edition. I do think there may be some confusion here regarding 'at home' - is that in your local neighbourhood, county or country - could it mean not leaving your street or not leaving these shores? Travel Weekly last week published a survey suggesting that 38% of a sample of 2,000 Brits were planning not to go away this year but to spend their annual hols 'at home'. Last week VisitEngland were claiming their research shows that 63% of Brits expect to take an English break or holiday this year with one in five who took an overseas holiday last year considering switching to the UK to save money. I must say that I'm all in favour of staying close to home and discovering what's on our doorsteps. Living as I do in West London, I'm luckily spoilt for choice for local days out such as: Kew Gardens,Osterley, Richmond Park, Ham House, Syon Park; quirky museums like the Musical Museum at Brentford and Kew Steam Museum; let alone miles of walks along the Grand Union Canal, literally just down the road. I did find myself vaguely considering a National Trust working holiday the other day - did I prefer dry stone walling or forestry?! Thank heavens an exhausting day's work in my own garden this weekend has convinced me that I can even fix one of those 'at home' for myself as well.