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WRINKLY TRIP TO 24th to 31st May 2007 |
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This was not strictly a Wrinkly
Trip as it comprised of three groups with only six true ‘Wrinkly’s’ amongst them. The groups
comprised of: ‘The Whiteman Party’, ‘The Earnshaw Party’ and ‘The Rest’. In the ‘Whiteman Party’ there were John,
Pam, daughter Joanne and
boyfriend Mike, son Neil and girlfriend Lindsay. In the ‘Earnshaw Party’ there were the three Earnshaw brothers, Peter,
John and 
Michael with wives Brenda, Pat and Judy. ‘The Rest’ consisted of Brian and Janet, Derek and Celia, Norman and Ken. However, we were all in holiday mood when we set off from
home on the 24th May.
Moondance Travel, who is one of our regular advertisers in this magazine,
provided the transport to
It soon became apparent that the rooms were not as requested
as they were all facing the main road or ‘The
Strip’; the shops and bars. John, with
his sharp attention to detail, soon
picked up on this mistake and was down at the reception desk requesting that
changes were made and that we were given rooms on the pool side of the
hotel. This was agreed to take place the
following day. That night though it was horrific!! The noise was horrendous and
it went on until 4.30am!!! Then, just as I was managing to get some sleep, the
street sweepers started up!! I couldn’t wait to get to my new room. This was
achieved by 12 noon the next day and the room was so much better. The view of
the pool and the surrounding area was wonderful. I was looking forward to a
good night’s sleep now.
In the dining room tables had been reserved for our party and we
were also provided with a bottle of wine and a bottle of water per couple for
each evening meal. During the week though it became necessary to remind the
staff as to who wanted what but it was all very pleasant. The meals were
limited in choice but what they did provide was extremely enjoyable. The only
down side is that the food was not hot but that seems very characteristic of
the European hotels and restaurants.
Each day was spent exploring the surrounding areas. The beach was
only a few minutes away but you had to negotiate a large hill locally known as “Cardiac Hill”. I think that says it
all as it certainly earned its title. It wasn’t so bad going down but a hell of
a treck getting back up!! Once down at the beach though it was extremely
pleasant and it was noticeably very clean and well cared for. The rocky coves
and inlets provided many a secluded area for children and families to camp out
in. I would certainly recommend them for families with children.
The main street was called “The Strip” and consisted of all the restaurants, bars, bistros and
shops. Again it was noticeable very clean.
One of the pleasant walks was into Albufeira itself. The first visit to the town, Peter, Michael Judy and I visited
the local RC Church set up on a hill
overlooking the square. After a wander round we settled in a café at the side
of a very pleasant square and had lunch. I must add that, contra to the photographs;
it was not a liquid one!!!
On the way back we took to the beach to walk along the coast to our
local beach. This was an extremely pleasant and eventually we had to climb up a
coastal path to get from bay to bay.
Although hard work at times I really enjoyed the 
experience. We had a welcome drink of local beer, ‘Super Bock’ as we left the beach
before tackling ‘Cardiac Hill’ and
back to the hotel.
As per usual, each couple spent the days as they wishes and, if
anyone chose to do the same thing, they teamed up. However, the evenings were
spent all together in a local bar. The first bar we used was called, Rick’s Cocktail Bistro but the beer
wasn’t cheap to we then transferred to the “Kilt
& Kelt”. The next bar we used was ‘Mary
Ann’s English Bar and Restaurant’
and we all managed to sit together much easier in this one, the food and the
beer were excellent as was the service, so it was used for the rest of the
stay.
Now, owning up time, (I take no prisoners – not even me!): On one
of the evenings John passed over a
2/3 full bottle of red wine which was not being used on his table and, shame on
me, I consumed most of it after tackling my own ½ bottle of white wine. Not a good idea! That evening I think I
was a bit ‘loud’ and a bit flushed to say the least BUT it was Boss Wrinkly’s
fault wasn’t it? I suffered during the evening but I think I kept my dignity
and respectability – if I didn’t you can be sure Boss Wrinkly will let you know!!! He shouldn’t have put temptation
in my path!!
Monday was Quiz Night
at Mary Ann’s Bar and Peter accepted
a challenge, on behalf of the Earnshaws
from John’s family. John’s team called themselves, “Ken Dodd’s Dad’s Dog’s Dead”, (Don’t
ask me why!!) My team was called, “The
Earnshaw Clan” – a very respectable title. Celia and Derek, with
assistance from Norman and Ken, called themselves, “Dell’s Boy”. It was a fight to the
finish with a lot of, well err, kinda, cheating going on but, in the end the
first prize when to John’s team with
a score of 37/50. My team scored 33/50 and Cella’s team got the booby prize with a score of 12/50. Now I must mention at this point
that ‘Gentleman’
The next day, Peter and I got caught up in a sales pitch for a Club Membership. It was my fault really
as I wanted to see just where these things went to. Not a good decision but a
very interesting tour if a local holiday complex. So, be warned folks – you
don’t get ought for nowt!!! That afternoon the lads and lasses went back to Mary Anne’s Bar to watch the Blackpool vs. Yeovil match. Needless to
say with great success;
The next day Peter, Michael,
Judy and I hired a car to
explore the coastline further. We visited the beautiful marina of Vilamoura. It was said that Cliff 
Richard berthed his yatch there and, as my
sister-in-law is a dedicated fan of his, we search the lines of yachts to try
and see it but without success. Onwards then to the old town of
On the way back to the car we spotted two rather rough looking
chaps robbing a phone booth. Peter,
(stupid man), took on the role of ‘schoolteacher’ and ‘protector of all that is
legal’, and went over to try and stop them. I was scared to death he would be
knifed for his efforts but they men moved on. Phew! Will that man ever learn?
Michael had done an excellent job of driving and we
ended up at another beautiful beach known as Praia da Rocha at Portimao.
Again we came upon some ‘undesirables’ as we tried to park the car. They said
the car park was by donation but we said we were only staying for five minutes
so they let us go. However, when we visited a local café the chap there told us
not to give them anything as they would only use it for drugs! When we had
finished our walk Judy and I jumped back into the car very
sharply and Peter and Michael followed to make a quick get
away – no reason to take any chances! Now don’t go imagining that it is unsafe
in
Plenty of sun worshipping was going on within our group during the
holiday and, as is tradition, at the end of the holiday 
the award for Sun God
and 
Goddess was awarded. This time John Earnshaw, who won it last time in
All in all another very successful Wrinkly Holiday, magnificently and expertly organised by Boss Wrinkly. (I can crawl when I have
to John!!) Seriously though, John, (not forgetting his expert
advisor and assistant, Pam), does do
a magnificent job of organising these holidays which takes all the hard work
out of it for the rest of us. You know what they say, “Behind every great man there is
a great woman.”
We are now looking forward very much to the next one which is in September to
Written by: Brenda J Earnshaw
Submitted: 2nd
June 2007
Edited by: Peter Earnshaw (Being
very careful not to upset me.)