Places

May

2019

Lagos: Cycled too far, and gained an hour

If I didn’t think I’d managed to leave schedules behind, I do after today. And the story is:

Google maps on my little screen (smartphone as opposed to non-digital more contextual map) said the distance to Lagos was about 5 miles. Eminently cyclable it seemed so duly set off fully loaded with beach stuff, including parasol, book etc. Well at least twice that later via main road I finally arrived determined to sort out how I was going to get back without having to cycle that same distance/route, and knew that there was a train line and station, so thought I could at least get most of the way back. It has to be said that the pressure is mounting for the purchase of a Brompton folding bike which I could sling onto a bus, or in a normal-sized taxi.

Turned out there was a water taxi, from Lagos to Alvor which would have taken my bike, subject to space, but not operating today due to rough seas, so the station turned up trumps with a local train running at 15:13 which would get me to the nearest station of Portimao, meaning I’d only have to cycle the 3.8 miles then back.

So I only spent about 1.25 hours hanging around Lagos, before arriving back at the station in very good time, to enable me to negotiate whatever it would take to get me and my bike on that train, including fighting off any other cyclists (number of bikes limited) who may not want to queue in an orderly fashion according to arrival time. Therefore at 14:45, entered the station – no-one around, train in – brilliant. Happened to glance up at the station clock to see it showing 13:45. This now ‘chimed’ (pun appropriate) with my having previously noticed but absentmindedly dismissed as just a phone/GMT thing, the time on my phone being an hour behind my watch. 🤔 Decided I’d better check that the station clock was accurate! and having this confirmed, meant that I had been an hour ahead of everyone else in Portugal since I crossed the border 7 days ago. It also explained why everyone was getting up about an hour later than me, and corrected my assumption that people seemed alot more laid back here.

Anyway – the bits I saw of Lagos indicated it was indeed a busy, but pleasant holiday hotspot, very nice marina, beach, waves.

replica of the sort of ship they sailed in 15th century to explore the seas

May

2019

Alvor & Oh dear

So landed yesterday (Sunday 12/5) at Camping Alvor, in Alvor, Western Algarve, after a really enjoyable 65-mile drive on non-toll roads seeing some of the countryside behind the Algarve coastline. Set up to watch the Race for the Title matches, at the back of the van despite the heat etc, to try and mitigate the noise and the irritation it caused, of the strimming being carried out on pitches around mine. Was achieving this reasonably successfully until all of a sudden there was a sound as if a whole load of earth had been chucked at the bonnet of the van. The strimmer stopped ominously. Basically a stone had been thrown up at my passenger door window, resulting in its complete shattering.

What was originally intended as a 2-night stay, I could see turning into more than that, and my sister had literally just booked a flight out on Sun 19/5 to join me in Lisbon and up to Porto for a week.

Long story short, the campsite have organised through their insurance to get a new window which will have to be sent to whichever service centre in Portimao. It will apparently arrive by tomorrow evening, meaning they’ll fit it Wednesday (hopefully!)

The good is that this is a very nice place to stay – spent 4 hours cycling around and about – to Portimao, and back along coast past Praia da Rocha, and these iconic beaches. There’s lots more to explore/do etc, and the campsite is well set up, given that it has a static caravan ‘permie’ presence. Have a very nice pitch under the trees, and have put the awning out for the first time this season. 🙂

May

2019

Swimming Cossie & Parasol; 1st proper beach day of 2019 at Praia Cabanas today

Clear blue sky, and late 20’s; time to do a summer holiday at the beach – ie sit on it in costume, under parasol, full suntan lotion, be prepared to go in the water. What a perfect beach. It’s a little boat ride across the river – part of the Ria Formosa nature reserve area for 1.50 eu return, and then just glorious. And I actually went into the Atlantic, and then dried off without sitting under the parasol.

Cabanas – over the river
looking up the beach towards Tavira

May

2019

Tavira

Cycled to town of Tavira today – about 4 miles away; absolutely loved it – reminded me of St Martin de Re on Ile de Re in France, but alot less understated. The buildings are beautiful. Also am realising that it’s great to be enjoying this weather now in May – around 25 – 27deg today, without the holiday crowds which people have indicated there are in late July/August.

May

2019

Into Portugal; Cabanas: Camping Rio Formosa

Easy journey from Dos Hermanos, near Seville, to just across the border and into the Algarve, staying at the above campsite, without electricity, for an extremely reasonable price, even including a discount for the ASCI card.

Must give campsite a plug, for its location – just 1km down the road to a lovely sea-front, train station with regular trains along the coast to Faro etc, 5 kms from this recommended town Tavira, good wifi, fantastic shower, and lovely swimming pool – yes in operation, altho’ water temperature is only 17deg, so will not be taking a dip unless the temperature rises more than the forecast of a very pleasant early 20s,

May

2019

Seville; Camping Villsom

Well – indeed a fabulous city to visit – nice campsite to stay at at town called Dos Hermanos; half-hourly air-conditioned (very welcome, even at mid to late 20’s) bus within 50 metres of the site for the sum of 1.70eu.

There was a feria day on Wednesday and the obviously proud citizens were already parading about in their traditional finery.