Ha ha! That would explain it. On reflection, having taken my daughters and then grandsons on the thing over the years, it might be a maintenance issue with me as much as with the train. We're both getting to be pretty vintage items. I like the idea of you commuting on it - has to beat the tube every...

I gather the road train had a little disagreement with the wall on the hill near the GNR station. I'm not entirely surprised; when we took the grandkids on it last October I nearly lost my fillings. Clearly, it wasn't just the suspension that needed looking at, as the driver apparently stated that t...

The Facebook page has a lot of comments, including some suggesting the local authorities were unaware of what has happened, and that they haven't authorised the work. Some speculation a local restaurant might be behind it. It's a shame, whatever has gone on.

Roy and Geoff, thank you once again for your very helpful input.

Thanks Geoff. I'll confess my ignorance of AL licenses, but I assume they exist to allow a property to be rented out legally? If that is right, I imagine certain standards will apply regarding safety of equipment in villas etc. As I said, the company representative insists she is unaware of any lice...

Thank you, widge. I did speak to the woman you mention. She refused to engage in any way, other than to insist I speak to the woman named in a number of the TrustPilot reviews. They make interesting reading and, although they aren't by any means all negative, the substantial number that are seem to ...

The agency is Algarve Vacation, based in Stalybridge. This particular villa is Villa Margarita, three beds, three baths. it's in Areias dos Moinhos, up the road as you leave town from the right hand turn to the old Ponto restaurant. Further up on the right, as the road divides. It's actual name (on ...

Thank you, Roy. We're back in the UK now. It's really not about the money; I've written that off. I did look and the agency is not an ABTA member as far as I can see (lesson learned), but I had hoped they were as they might at least have the clout to make the agent sort this place. Your advice about...

My family rented a villa in Carvoeiro for two weeks in October. This was through a UK registered company, albeit with Portuguese directors. There were many issues with the villa, arising from a general lack of cleanliness and maintenance, a number of which I regard as actually dangerous. These inclu...

That's very helpful - thank you both.

Hello all. I'm returning to Carvoeiro in April, my first visit for over two years and I'm trying to get my ducks in a row as far as required documentation is concerned. In terms of the outward trip,I think I get the picture, in that I will need printed or digital proof that I've had my three jabs, a...

Yes, I must admit to a bit of a shock after a more than two year absence (not by choice of course) at the cost of car hire for my late April break. About two and a half times what I was used to paying. However, Steen still seems competitive in the current market and I've used him for years without p...

Thanks Geoff. Yes, fingers crossed.

Good news indeed. Looking at possibly coming over in June. Not an easy question, but does anyone have a view on how things are likely to look by then? Urgently in need of a fix but if we're likely to have to be masked up all the time and restaurants etc. are closed, perhaps better to wait. Clearly t...