One of the things we really like about the location of Costa Esuri is that it is just as easy to eat out in Portugal as it is in Spain. Add to that the fact Portugal is one hour behind Spain and you have the ability to leave home at say 9pm yet still eat at just after 8pm!

Now I’ll admit, my children do not have the most varied of diets – “I don’t like that” “it’s not cooked the way I like it” etc etc. so when we were told about the Mars Bar is Manta Rota Portugal we were interested.

It’s not what you would call a chic restaurant – it doesn’t boast the best location overlooking the coast nor does it have an enormously varied menu BUT we think it is fantastic.

They serve the best Chicken Skewer kebabs I’ve ever tasted and my eldest son just loves their foot long hotdogs!

From the outside it looks like a roadside beach bar but in view of the number of reservations (very difficult to get a table unless you book in advance if arriving after about 8pm) there are clearly plenty of other people who enjoy good food and good value.

I’m sure you won’t be disappointed by the food so I’ll give you directions for you to give it a try next time you’re in Esuri.

Take the motorway into Portugal and take the second exit sign posted to Monte Gordo.

Follow the road to the”T” junction of the 125 where you turn right (away from Monte Gordo).

After a few miles you go straight over a few roundabouts until you see one signposted to Manta Rota (DO NOT TAKE THIS TURN) but continue for further mile or so until you see another sign to Manta Rota where you turn left and follow the road down towards the coast.

The Mars Bar is on the right amongst other shops and restaurants – you should see the sign but it is a little difficult to see as the patio area is set back off the road.

Probably takes about 15 minutes to get there – let me know what you think.

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Two weeks holiday equals total business madness upon return!

I promised myself I’d post stacks of information about our two weeks at Costa Esuri in August but the workload has been relentless.

I decided I must start and do a little each day.

Our apartment is on the ground floor and earlier in the year I decided we should have a gate installed so that we had direct access to the swimming pool area rather than going through the apartment and taking keys with us all of the time. If you have children you also know that it would mean getting up and down every two minutes because they need something indoors.

Without a doubt it has been the best thing we’ve spent money on. The kids can run in and out as much as they like and we don’t have to think about taking out drinks etc etc.

We walked round all of the Manzanas at Marina Esuri and most were being used but typically by only a few people.

I originally thought the pools were rather small but I’ve found out that if they were any larger it is a Spanish regulation that there has to be a lifeguard on duty. That equals increased cost and shorter opening times.

In fact, the pool is plenty big enough and the paddling pool is great for younger children.

A perfect day? Costa Esuri Golf first thing, walk back for a quick swim, lunch then out to one of the beaches until early evening. Return for another swim, barbecue on the patio and a cool beer. Must get rid of this work nonsense!

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I’m just back from a brilliant two week holiday in my apartment at Costa Esuri.

There’s much to tell you which I’ll do over the coming week but just to let you know I’ve added a whole batch of photographs to the Images section, including many of the Costa Esuri Golf Course.

The weather was brilliant sunshine for 2 solid weeks, my apartment’s snags have all been sorted and I could really relax for the firtst time.

The Golf Club house is now fully open – I really like it – good feel and food (the only drawback was one of the staff was on holiday – just at the busiest time!!) but I can forgive that as I sit with a cool beer in the warm evening sun overlooking the driving range.

We found loads of great beaches, some just across the bridge in Portugal and even enjoyed a day trip to Seville. I say even because cities are not normally my kids’ idea of fun but a trip in an open top bus and a horse and carriage ride kept them happy!

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Regular readers will know that my golf game is inconsistent! Today I came across a website that has a unique Golf Swing Test This golf swing test was created to see if us golfers have a single swing fault that is stopping us from hitting the ball further, straighter and more consistently. (That last word caught MY eye!)

Apparently if you have this one swing fault it could be costing up to 50 yards in distance.

So I took the golf swing test and the result was very enlightening. If you are looking for some improvement in your game you can also take the test here:

GOLF SWING TEST

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I heard the new clubhouse opened at the weekend. Has anyone used it yet and can confirm it really is open?

3 weeks ago it was ready and as much as I enjoyed a cool beer overlooking the practice range in the warm evening sun sitting on the old veranda I’m looking forward to what, hopefully, will be a great clubhouse that stays open and serving food until later.

I guess the temporary clubhouse will be on the move again very soon and for a short while the area will look strange while the range is extended.

Nobody has been able to tell me what is planned there – more open bays? or something grander.

I’d love to hear from you with any news or indeed a review of the clubhouse if you’ve tried it.

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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

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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/ )

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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

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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!

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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.

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