Well, the last 10 days have been absolutely glorious - non stop sunshine and clear blue skies. The temperatures in the shade have been around 18°C and in the sun between 25°C and 28°C! We took a lunch break at a beach bar on Meia Praia last week and people were in their swimwear topping up their tans! The only hint of autumn (is it still autumn or should it be winter now?) has been leaves falling off some of the trees, but then in typical Algarve fashion - the yellow bermuda buttercups are starting to open on the cliffs so it looks more like spring!  We see the UK weather on the television and all the advertisements for Christmas shopping and it does seem a million miles away, not just a short two and a half hour flight. Fancy doing your Christmas shopping in the sunshine?!