Freemaps

Northern Europe for the last few months has been inundated with lashing rain, wind and even heavy snowfalls. Serious flooding has affected many areas in the UK with the worst rainfalls in 240 years, since the record taking began. At the end of February it rained for more than than ten days without stop in the Algarve. The Algarve is not equipped for such heavy rain, drivers not used to rain, aren't thinking of slowing down, there are more accidents on the roads. Yes the Algarve did get some rain but nowhere near these flooding conditions throught the rest of Europe. Storm Hercules roared across the Atlantic straight to Europe especially to England and the Algarve.

The storms also brought in massive waves, never seen before, that surfers took advantage of.A local surfer Alex Botelho surfed from the Lagos beach 'Praia da Batata' all the way to Meia Praia beach. Even some of the beach bars were washed away, many couldn't afford flood insurance. Even though they only work 6 months a year, they now have to face rebuilding. But the rains we've had, have now led to a magnificent spring show of flowers. From one week to the next new garden and wild flowers come forth in an ever changing palette of colours. In the fields the yellow clover blossoms stretch as far as the eye can see, to be followed by a blanket of scarlet poppies.

The mimosa blossoms come forth with slashes of bright yellow blooms along the roadsides, especially the road to Monchique. The Judas tree bursts forth with its bright pink blooms, before it's leaves have even started to come forth. Come and see the Algarve blooms, any drive in the country will take you to thisever changing gorgeous flower show. The show ends in mid to late May, when the heat becomes too much for the flowers!   Carpet of blooming ground cover in Sagres!