Hello cubsur, another great set of photos, the town if France looks very nice. We had a go the new moving stairs in July a lot better than the old non moving ones and so nice to see the square at the bottom done at last, but as your new photos show they are still at it, we may go back to Albufeira next summer so lets hope it will all be finished by then. Keep the photos comming.
Dave.

I have uploaded a few pictures to show progress on the lift/elevator plus some other odd items. Also included are some pictures of the sunny beaches, to cheer up those of you suffering the northern European weather.

http://thomasallen.spaces.live.com

thanks a bunch T.A. just what i needed to feel more depressed!

See you soon! I am in Tonbridge now where it is overcast, gloomy but horribly humid.

When I left Albufeira this morning it was foggy, gloomy and horribly humid.

Pah!

I am in Tonbridge

ooh i use to live there

It stayed wet all week in Tonbridge.

While I was there I was told that a drain running under my flat had collapsed.

Hence delay in getting some new pictures.

So I went out Sunday morning and ther are some new pictures at the usual place http://thomasallen.spaces.live.com and I have included some blue sky and blue seas to cheer up those of you booked with XL or otherwise not here.

Was it hot today - still 80F at 7pm.

do you know what the new structure at the marina is ? it looks like a concrete water park !!!

That's a very good question. It looks for all the world like a road or path but it goes nowhere. I can't get the angle for a good picture of it, but it stops dead at the end of the fishing harbour where the temporary sheds are located.

There is/was a plan to build a sort of promenade round from the marina along the base of the cliff and coming out on the beach near where the lift is being built. Maybe it is a part of that. There is a narrow rocky path for some of that route already but it is dangerous.

Now that I am back indoors as it were I might take a closer look around next weekend.

yes that confirms what i had heard, that it was eventually going to go around the cliffs and meet up with the beach next to the lift, making the marina more accessible.when i was there in august i tried to see if you could get round but it was too dangerous, so if you do attempt to investigate further please be very careful.

you wimp T.A. , what about parascending around to get some arial views?

You jest! I get vertigo standing on a thick carpet.

I was planning to cycle round to the far side of the marina this afternoon and use me zoom lens but it keeps raining. A day or two maybe.

Cubby, it's been more than a day or two, have you not got on yer bike yet? I would love to see how the Marina to the old town is coming on as I won't be back until April

Cheers avril

They haven't started yet but materials are being assembled etc. As soon as they do begin, the camera will be out.

Also, I learned that the same slippery and dangerous paving is to be installed in the whole area, to replace the existing black and white calcada or cobblestones.

Make sure your travel insurance is up to date next year. Whoever thought of that idea is a serious idiot.

The work will of course enforce the closure of many bars and restaurants. I hope to keep every one up to date in the usual way during the winter months.

I have a copy of the official leaflet distributed to businesses etc concerning the work to take place in and around 'Bar Street' during the winter. This is a summary.

The work was due to start on 29th September but was delayed because of the heavy rain and subsequent flooding. Completion is scheduled for 11th February 2009. There is a budget of 410,000 Euros.

The work affects Rua Candido dos Reis, Travessa Candido dos Reis, Rua de Santana and Rua de São Gonçalo de Lagos.

All the underground infrastructure - water supply, drains, sewers and electricity will be replaced and renewed. Street lighting will be renewed. Telephone cables will be moved underground,

The whole area will be re-paved with a mixture of the existing type of calçada (cobbles) and larger slabs. Where there is a steep slope, steps will be added.

The Travessa will be completely covered with a kind of giant sunshade, which I have seen in Seville.

New 'street furniture' eg seats will be installed.

Obviously a majority of businesses in that area will be closing down shortly for the duration.

This work is in addition to the similar activity taking place in the Rua 5 Outubro - the road to the tunnel. At present I do not know a firm start date for that.

Camera is poised and ready to record events as they unfold.

Cubsur, thank you so much for keeping us informed. You are a star!

Starting on Monday 13th many bars and restaurants in the affected area will be closed for the winter while the work is in progress. Work is also imminent in Rua 5 Outubro (near the tunnel) so places there will be forced to close I would imagine.

It is not known if the closures will apply over Christmas and New Year. Nevertheless, intending visitors to the old town area should expect some disruption.

I shall do my best to keep you all up to date.

I have just uploaded some pictures taken this afternoon, Wednesday 22 October, showing the new work now under way in various areas of the old town section of Albufeira.

http://thomasallen.spaces.live.com

for those who don't know.

A new small set of pictures taken on Sunday afternoon, 2nd November, is available for your perusal at

http://thomasallen.spaces.live.com

Many large holes appearing!

I have uploaded three new photo albums today. Albums 2 and 3 are off-topic as regards Albufeira but I hope you will find them of interest.

Album 1 - Albufeira Eden Resort and Quinta da Bolota developments plus a few shots of the work around town and of the new roads near the stadium.

Album 2 - Lagos city centre road and parking works plus cranes and gloomy skies.

Album 3 - in memory of the fishing industry at Vila Real.

Any comments, thoughts, views gratefully received through this forum.

http://thomasallen.spaces/live.com