Month: May 2019

25
May
2019

Peaceful overnight at Evora … eventually

Stayed overnight at a campsite at Porto Covo, where not made particularly welcome by the main reception person! then inland to a free aire with good reviews at historic town of Evora. Whilst congratulating myself on how well all was ‘working’ at this aire – nice location, safety in numbers, international community, but brits around if help needed quicker etc, the peace of the Saturday night was disrupted for upto an hour and a half, because Benfica had won the Portuguese league. The disruption consisted of the town’s primarily male Benfica supporters driving round and round the town centre roads (which unfortunately went past the aire) hanging out of their sunroofs, shouting, waving flags, and constant pressing of their car horns. It did come to a stop thankfully around 11:30, and indeed a good night’s sleep was had. Evora was worth the visit, as my first inland Portuguese town, and driving the non-toll roads to get there took me through some pleasing countryside.

Posted by Jackie Barnes in Cities-Towns, Places, Portugal
17
May
2019

Human Fauna observed in Portugal

Loads of the usual Dutch, Germans and large ex-pat communities it seems of Brits in the busier Algarve.

There seem to be quite alot of Asian men working in various capacities on building sites, and in the fruit & vegetable sector which although in the Alentejano is nothing on the scale of Spain, including ‘plasticos’ coverings of the crops, it seems to be the only other main sector in addition to tourism in this area. According to Diogo (see post ‘Every Cloud’) there is very little work other than seasonal tourism outside of the main bigger cities – population of Lisbon only seems to be around 250000 – and the average wage is 700eu per month. Whilst the northern europeans have brought investment to the Algarve, they’ve pushed up property prices, and indeed the food prices in the supermarkets in the southern coastal areas are the same as in the UK. Diogo manages a campsite, but lives in an apartment, as can’t afford a house.

Posted by Jackie Barnes in Musings
17
May
2019

Vila Nova de Milfontes

Wanted to come here en route to have a look and walk around – have to mark this one as one of the best. The photos say it all:

  • Stunning beaches at the mouth of the river
  • Gorgeous restaurant location – still on the Rota Vicentina
  • It is a shame I can’t appreciate the sea food gastronomy
  • …… from the beach
  • More selfi-ing proof
  • Building from 1600s
  • not just the visual but coming upon the smell from the honeysuckle
  • Very interesting construction

Only around 20 degrees, windy but very pleasant in the full sunshine. Does get very busy apparently between mid July to mid August. Prefer this or Cabanas, to the more ‘full-on’ Algarve or French mediterranean coast.

Posted by Jackie Barnes in Places, Portugal, The Good
16
May
2019

Zambujeira do Mar

Following recommendations, staying at a lovely Camping Villa Park, at the above. The coast is stunning – the coastal path is beautiful, and here’s my attempt to capture some flora actually along the footpath and cliff tops:

  • Village at top of the cliffs – beach below

I should also make mention of the fauna I observed on my walk along the cliffs – what looked like herons nesting on a rocky outcrop. Google tells me these may be Egrets. Didn’t take any pictures for my birder friends to check out. as wouldn’t get enough quality given the distances.

Posted by Jackie Barnes in Places, Portugal
16
May
2019

Europe’s SouthWesterly tip Cabo da Sao Vicente

Yesterday, decided to leave the Algarve via driving to the above, and then up through the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina.

There have been hints that a few selfies would be in order. which I get, so that readers are reassured that my photos are genuine and have not been taken from Google images in some kind of Capricorn One conspiracy. Despite the fact that I have found it rather difficult, the whole selfie thing, not just the embarrassment factor, drawing attention to the poor loner, but also from a practical pressing the button perspective, I will do a few examples every now and then including this one:

  • Enjoyed my first Bratwurst since September
  • Long distance footpath
Posted by Jackie Barnes in Places, Portugal
15
May
2019

Every cloud ….

Van window – part was delivered yesterday as promised, and fix was scheduled for 9.30 this morning.

As a result of the window being broken, I got to spend time with Diogo the campsite manager, who went with me to the glass fitting service centre, and while this was happening, drove me to some other viewing points in villages across the river from Portimao. It was great to spend time with a very open friendly Portuguese guy and we talked about allsorts from Brexit, tourism in Portugal, standards of living, his family etc etc.

Really pleased, as one might imagine, that everything for this went smoothly, so that I could continue my onward journey, particularly since now needing to be in Lisbon to pick up a repeat guest (my most regular 1st Mate) on Sunday.

  • Praia da Rocha from across the bay
  • View from Punto do Altar Lighthouse
Posted by Jackie Barnes in The Good