If you've ever lost your iPhone, take solace in the thought that maybe - just maybe - some mouse family now has a flat-screen TV.

Today resulted on no trip to the beach, but it was one of the best days yet.  My daughter had bought herself a snorkel and some flippers after making a friend on holiday who had the same and loved them, so when at the local supermarket my son spent some of his holiday money to get a set.  The kids love them, that and some toys to play in the pool resulted in a very enjoyable day for them, and therefore all of us!

Steve McManaman: "Gareth Bale needs to embrace the Spanish way". With his record for diving, it appears he's already done that.

Evening all, again a day at the pool.  I am not going to get to watch the football tonight.  We heard an interesting discussion where one husband was trying to convince his wife to eat somewhere that he could watch the match.  Words relating to poo and hole were used to describe one of the places that he wanted his wife and baby daughter to visit for this!  The wife is getting better, but my daughter has now hurt her ankle!

In a strongly worded statement the UN warns Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, if you use Chemical weapons again, we will be forced to hold another meeting.

The kids have had a great time today. They have again used the pool, and used the pool and also made use of the kids club that is here. My wife unfortunately is still ill but appears to be getting better. So I took the kids to the local supermarket for supplies for dinner tonight.  Not that it was anything special, but trying to get the kids to eat can be fun.  Still, it was a relaxing day.  I did not get to watch the Arsenal game which was a pity and I do not think that I will get to watch it tonight either.  It was good to hear that we won again and I hope that this is the begining of something good.

What is surprising on the world stage is the way that the world stands by while murder continues in Syria.  There is no doubt that both sides are bad and the choice is between what is felt to be the least worst side.  Not that it helps that the rebels are not just one group but loads.  I guess while Russia and China side with Assad, all we can do at present is to pray for a quick and just end to the violence there.  It is interesting that no one is taking action against Syria for having chemical weapons, something that Syria never agreed to not developing, but still something that in my view makes that nation one which should be shunned by all.

José Mourinho - "I'll walk if Chelsea don't win trophies." Stephen Hawking- "I'll walk if Arsenal win trophies."

The kids have had a great day in the pool today.  It has been hot enough for us to be in the pool and enjoy it, though as my wife was not that well, we were not able to stay there as long as the kids would have liked.  There are two pools here, a smaller paddling pool and a larger one.  The last time were were out here, it was warm, but not hot enough for the pools to be warm.  That is not the case now.  While the pools are still cool, with the heat they quickly dry off.  The trick is also to make sure that they are not too tired.  So far, I have managed to pace them by taking one into the pool at a time.  There is a bit of complaining at the end of the turn each has, but I think that is the only complaint that they each have.

Thanks to the joy of WiFi, they have not been able to stop me keeping up with Arsenal, and it was good to hear that they won on Tuesday.  You never know, the season may not be over already and who knows, we may even be able to land a player or two!

GCSEs: Who needs them? I've been lying on my CV for years and no one has checked them. B in maths? I can't even count to B.

Well, it is the end of a long day.  We woke at two in the morning for our journey from home to Luton Airport for our early morning flight to Portugal.  The kids were excited as they had never been woken up at two in the morning to travel and they stayed awake for ages!  Luton as an airport was surprisingly easy to get to.  Meet and Greet was in the short term car park, and on arrival, there was no one there to greet us. It could have been worse as at least it was not raining when we arrived.  Things in the airport were simple and it was my wife and I who fell asleep on the plane, the kids both were awake and would wake us up at times.  In fact, it was only once in Portugal that my daughter fell asleep, that being in the car which is normal for her.  Back at the hotel, the kids have loved it so far,  We got here too late to nab a place at the poolside and that is something we are looking forwards to for tomorrow.  So far, rest, food and the kids have been in the playground and have been making friends.  And of course, sleep again...

Praia dos Caneiros

We went back there today.  All I can say is that it is an amazing beach, one which the kids love.  They enjoyed the sea and they enjoyed the sun.  And also the food, though the ice cream/lollies probably helped.  Afterwards, while my wife made use of the spa the kids slept which meant that we were able to go out at night again to ONZE, though this time we almost did not get a table as we had not booked!  Great day for all once again.

Vale D'oliveiras Quinta Resort And Spa

Today the kids got to spend the day at the pool.  It was an enjoyable day, one where the wife and I got to relax and the kids got to try to swim.  As you can see from the picture, there are two pools, one deeper, that being in the backgroud.  The kids did try the deeper one with me, but in general they were more than happy to splash around in the shallow one.  So far, so good here.  The service is friendly and the setting is wonderful.  My wife has yet to try the spa but if it is like the rest of our stay here so far, she will have a great time.