Just found this

[HampshireRich]

.... They've all actually booked out gorgeous cottage in Swanage, totally full again this season
Gaynor

Does that mean Gary's actually finished the painting now - its only taken him a year to paint a window frame and a door

[James Faro]

I do not underestimate the valuable work my agent does in marketing the property, vetting the clients, handling the finance & deposits and ensuring the clients enjoy their holiday. However, the share of available income has to fairly reflect the risks and rewards involved by all parties, sometimes this wrongly favours the agent .

Very true. I did not know some agents could be that greedy by taking up to 43% of a weekly rental.

As we are all getting savvy on IT technology these letting agents may be vastly reduced when villa owners start to do their own websites or have younger relatives of friends who can help them take direct bookings online.

Same for travel agents. I have not been to one in the last 12 years - no need to. It is quicker and more easier to book online in the comfort of your own home!

- J

[shanagarry]

R.Wethereyet

Thank you for your kind words and I too hope I can remain positive for the forseeable future. As I am actively involved in three business outside Portugal, I will not have any excuse not to be anything other than positive - I pray!

On the telecoms front I am partly sorted out.

The PT broadband engineer never came again so I have bought an Optimus Kanguru and Modem - both work perfectly. However, I need a router that will take the Kanguru (USB) as I have a Sonos system that requires the router to do its job. That's in the hands of Rui at RJ Tecnica. Rui also sorted out my phones.

I have decided to go with World Telecom for the landline (unlimited calls to the UK) and the mobile for €30 per month - a lot less than I was paying in the UK.

As for slow drivers - I have come to terms with it - no point 'swimming against the tide' and glad to be here

[Gary/Gaynor]

Have started using Skype again and the quality has improved greatly. Not that Im stingy but if you hook yourself into a free wi fi you can call most places for peanuts

By the way HR it was a double door and large window I had to paint Quality workmanship takes time Needs a second coat next year so no doubt will have to roll up my sleves once more and head to the Red Lion for a pint or three.

Gary

PS Due to some of the reviews on here have decided to give The Cattleman another whirl. As for Ele and Ela food is ok but the toilets are crap

[shanagarry]

Gary

Have started using Skype again and the quality has improved greatly.

I have mixed results on it especially when I make calls to landlines - so much so that the people at the other end make comments like "it sounded as if you were under water". Skype to Skype to the UK is fine but to the USA during the late afternoon is not good.

Do you have the basic Skype subscription for VoIP or do you pay for calls to phones?

[Gary/Gaynor]

Shanagarry

We pay for calls basically use it to call the UK and have found the line to be clear even the guys at the other end have commented on how good it is. Not tried the USA so cant compare. I think it works out 1.7 cents per minute for most Western European destinations. Anyway will give it a try when in Portugal whilst drinking a cold lager in Hemmingways. Just need to find all the free Wi fi sites in CVO now which gives me an excuse for a little wander on a hot afternoon

Gary

[Graham]

take a look at voipstunt - saves me hundreds of pounds every year and you can also get an 0560 number which you can redirect to wherever you want so the UK can call you from a landline for the price of a local UK call.

[shanagarry]

Graham

I've looked - but if it's free what/why do you have to pay for

[shanagarry]

Graham

Just realised it only operates from a PC - we operate on Macs - thanks anyway

[Graham]

Does'nt it work on a Mac? - I am surprised since it works from my iphone

[cereza]

Like Skype its free for calls between members and costs nothing to sign up.
I use Skype in the UK and Portugal with no problems and good quality.
I'm pretty sure you can get an app to use Voipstunt on Mac or Linux - look at this link

http://www.voipstunt.com/en/download.html

[Graham]

I fon't know how skype works but the advantage of voipstunt for me is it connects two landlines together - the other party does not need to be a subscriber of even have a computer.

[shanagarry]

Hi Graham

I have 'played' with it this afternoon and can't get the hang of the setting up process. It asks for a series of telephone numbers and I don't understand if they are numbers you are going to call or are numbers you will be deemed to be calling from?

I am also confused with the concept of 'free' but you have to buy credits - clearly you understand it. Can you explain it to a confused Irishman please?

[shanagarry]

Hi Cereza

Like you I am a Skype user - but do not enjoy the best of reception with calls to landlines.

Thanks for the steer to the Linux/Mac link - it didn't really matter in the end - there was no downloading involved

[cereza]

Strange about the reception to landlines Shanagarry as I have always had really good quality and to mobiles too. When in Portugal I only use a laptop with an Optimus dongle as I am not resident but it has worked pefrectly so far. Could it be the broadband supplier????