I'm moving this blog over to a WordPress platform at CostaEsuri-Spain.

Please visit the new site and bookmark that page / sign up for the RSS feed as I will not be posting here any more.

The new blog will be updated very soon with pages for photographs. property for holiday lets etc.

Thank you for your patience in the meantime and, of course, your loyalty.

Mark

Monte Rei Golf

For those with a desire to play the best courses Monte Rei is a very short trip across the border into Portugal.

2 Championship Courses - the first now open and the second still in design stage.

Jack Nicklaus designed, Monte Rei features 5 beautiful blue lakes and over 7,200 yards of glorious golf set amongst the dramatic hills of the Eastern Algarve.

Although certainly not cheap at (currently) euros 150 a round, for any serious golfer a round at this prestigious club must be a high priority when staying at Costa Esuri.

For full details visit the impressive website - Monte Rei - but note that a handicap certificate is required - maximum 24 for men and 32 for ladies and soft spikes must be worn. Mind you, I can't imagine a hacker wishing to pay that level of green fee!

Clubs are available for hire and a brilliant club house awaits after the golf.


jack nicklausmonte reimonte rei golfmonte rei golf course

Lost in Belfast

I don't know if any of you are from Belfast but regardless I thought I would see if I can help a friend of mine raise awareness of a site he has created to help people who have gone missing.

Obviously, the Madeleine McCann story has brought this into the public eye recently but it's sad to say this is not an isolated occurrence.

If you know anyone from Northern Ireland please refer them to Lost Without You
( http://www.lost-without-you.info/ )

Discounted flights to Spain & Portugal

Monarch have slashed fares to Spain & Portugal by up to 75% for flights booked before 5th July.

If you've been sitting on the fence nows the time to jump to Monarch Airlines


discount airfares spain cheap flights portugal cheap flights to spain

Early Summer Huelva Province

I had to drive to IKEA in Seville on Monday (I know how to spend my time in Spain!) and was absolutely taken by the motorway,

No, I've not taken leave of my senses. More used to grey skies, endless traffic and the concrete of the M25 in England I was amazed that virtually every kilometre of the central reservation between Ayamonte & Seville was covered with pink and white flowering bushes (I think they're called Kalmia). The fields of Sun Flowers are in full bloom and the Pelican's nesting on telegraph poles added to the interest. The hour's drive passed very quickly.

On the return journey, however, my peace was shattered by a loud rumbling from a puncture! Unpacking a fully laden boot to access the spare wheel was not fun but at least I managed to crawl to a service station just outside Seville rather than unloading everything at the side of the motorway!

Costa Esuri Golf Clubhouse

The new clubhouse is now fully built, pained and ready to open but...

Still awaiting the necessary licence, which has been promised for weeks. I'm told they are hopeful it will open by end of June. We'll see!!

In the meantime, I have to say I'm impressed with the temporary clubhouse - food is pretty good and sitting on the terrace in the warm evening sunshine last night made me remember why I bought here!

When the new clubhouse does open the temporary one will be moved to course two to be replaced by a more extensive driving range.

At the moment a twilight deal (after 4pm) of euros 40 is available. Bearing in mind it doesn't get dark until long after 9pm and the course is still very quiet I think this is great value. Clubs are available at euros 20 so 2 or 3 rounds a cheap would be cheaper than paying to bring your own clubs from UK.

Costa Esuri Photos

I'll be in Costa Esuri next week and should have some up to date photos to post by the end of next week. Sign up to the feed so as not to miss them or remember to stop by next week.