Feb 17th to 19th

Camping Albufeira is a large site, part of which is block-booked each year by the Camping and Caravanning Club of the UK to hold a rally. As members of the club, we booked our pitch through them to get the discounted site fees. We’ve never been on a rally before, but know all about them through the Club magazine: lots of social events like line dancing, quiz nights, bingo, whist drives, walks etc. Well, we are keen on the walking. Checking in with the rally steward, he said, “There’s lots of activities, but no pressure.” We breathe a sigh of relief. He continues, “But unless all members support these functions we’ll lose the use of the hall.” Gulp.


The weather is mild but unsettled. Long-stay rallyists tell us it’s been raining since December. If your pitch becomes waterlogged, the campsite has a rapid response gravel service. A lorry appears and two men Feb 17th to 19th furiously shovel gravel onto your pitch and then rake it into the mud and puddles. We requested this facility on day 2 and were impressed by its’ efficiency. The Portuguese are clearly less mañana than the Spanish. You can see all our lovely effective gravel on the photo, and how our pitch would be un–gravelled by looking at the vacant plot adjacent. It is water, about 6 inches deep