When in Portugal, do your own thing

DISCLAIMER: Anything hereunder that resembles or may be interpreted as criticism, implied or otherwise, of the Algarve and its constituent parts — food, beaches, tranquility, water parks, golf courses — is entirely coincidental.

Furthermore, the practised disdain of travel reviewers in lambasting resorts plying them with food and lodgings will find no sanctuary here. I paid for my holiday. I come to tell the truth.

While we’re dabbling with declarations of interest, it’s worth saying that consideration has been given, on an ongoing basis, to packing up and giving Algarve life a real go. On occasions, that became a serious consideration. December and February (oddly) are the only two months I haven’t spent time on Portugal’s Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. The passport officers at Faro airport smile at me now. At least, I think they do.