Onward's back to Spain & Ted's adventures

We have really enjoyed our time in Portugal hired a car and explored all the hidden coves and beaches.  A few challenges along the way:

1. Our water system  on the  van  decided to smell a little and we found out that we needed to flush out and start again.  Only a small tummy upset !!!  Glad we found it early at day 42
2. Alan locked the hire car keys in the boot so  had to get a guy with a piece of wire to unlock the car after he demanded 90 Euro's - but onward and upward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are having a great time and are both really chilled out.

Wonderful surf

Walks along the coast line proved to show us dramatic scenery  and plants standing out against the blue skies in wonderful sculptures.







By public demand on my email  - - - a few pictures of what Ted has  been up to whilst we have been enjoying the walking, the beaches, food, and meeting different people in hte Algarve. Ted by the pool.

Then by chance our new neighbours had some playmates Horst & Jorge belonging to Rolf what games they got up to including playing & cooling off in their paddling pool.

Ted getting some practice in before heading off to France

Not one of Big Ted's skills sorting out the barbi!!  Tying to teach him new skills since his security guard incident.







So its now onward towards Spain and Seville.

New bikes, the Algarve, deserted beaches and miles of unspoiled natural park land

New bikes, the  Algarve, deserted beaches and miles of unspoiled natural park land

Decided we could not continue our adventure without bikes so a purchase was made two matching bikes!! Hope this matching thing does not become a trend. 

Journeyed on from Lisbon to  a camp site - Turiscampo about 3 KM out of Lagos, a nice site with a large swimming pool, bar & restaurant.  When we arrived lots of nests with young were around the wash block so we watched with interest as the youngsters grew and eventually left the nest just as we were going to our next destination.

The Beach  is only 2 Km, Lagos 3Km &  near to the village of Espiche and Luz on the coast.  Luz is a real tourist spot in a cove a very pleasant location with lots of bars and restaurants

Largos is situated midway along the Algarve cliff coast on the edge of a wide bay.  The outskirts are unattractive with skyscrapers however the old centre has a few historic medieval sites.  

The town is mainly a tourist port with many restaurants and nearby sandy beaches.  We visited the Igreja de Santa Maria chapel and walked the many little streets with woodcarving and tourist shops.

Toured the coast on the grotto boat very entertaining with dramatic scenery

Visited & explored Europe’s south westernmost point Sagres which we found great it is where the land  ends and the sea begins.

We went to see the Cabo de Sao Vicente fortress, the lighthouse and had coffee in a local bar. Not much remains of the original fortress which was destroyed in an attack by Francis Drake and finally finished off by an earthquake in 1755.

 On the way back to the site we stopped off at Burgau  a unique and charming little village a place where time has stood still.  We had a late lunch in a fabulous restaurant overlooking the sea I had the fish of the day a John Dory the best meal I have had since crossing the channel

It is now day 32 of our adventure and we have met some very interesting people with lots of tales to tell.  (feel a book coming on )

Alan's reputation has become well know (in more ways than one!) and he is becoming the odd job man for several fellow campers so time to move on I think!  However the fresh orange juice, fruit and beer in return for the work is very welcome.

With Spring in the air Big Ted has found friendsHorst Sallenker & Jorge Gonzales & finding different activities to follow.(photo's to watch out for next time)

                                                       

Mountains, Lisbon & the bike theft!

Nazare & Lisbon &  the bike theft!

Our next destination was a camp site in Nazare the address was not clear and we found ourselves lost in the heat of the day eventually we found the site and the next day we explored Nazare which is a well-known seaside resort a onetime fishing village.
 Fishermen laying out their their catch on wire
 racks to dry in the sun in Nazare.
Views across the bay from Sitio

The other reason for visiting was the funicular to Sitio which was quite a find up the steep cliff.  On the top we saw wonderful views of the bay and an old village with the usual church. 

The Pilgrim church of Nossa Senhora

Our next stop was the city of Lisbon the weather had changed as we drove south as we awoke to grey skies, windy weather and a much colder day.  We took our first organised trip a city tour which gave us a really good overview of the city.

the dome and tower of the Basilica da Edtrela

The Expo 98 monument on the water front

Typical transport in the city






So the bike theft!

On our second day in Lisbon, awoke & Alan noticed that the bikes had been stolen from the back of the van!  We were devastated as they had served us well up until now. Big Ted has been demoted from security guard duties!!!!!!

Alan informed reception and asked for the police to be called.  They arrived about 30 mins later and Alan went off in the police car to the station to make the report. (Never to be seen again!)

We had intended in spending the day in Lisbon but the robbery had really put us off. When Alan returned at 11.30am (thought he would be much longer)  decided that we should continue with our plans, not get too disconcerted and headed off into the City.  So that's what we did.

The elevador do carmo which connects the lower city with upper city a very striking sight.








One of the many street entertainers displaying their many skills as we sat at many cafe bars watching the world go by.






So decided to leave Lisbon tomorrow with no bikes but we are heading for the Algarve  sun, sea and sardines.

Onward we go towards Portugal

Palencia & Salamanca & Ciuda Rodrigo’s places before heading into Portugal

Of course chores still need to be done this open air life is teaching us new and varied skills!  Perhaps not quite ready to sell the domestic appliances at home quite yet.

The last towns & Cities before crossing the border had very similar architecture but all had special historic buildings. 

   

On entering Portugal  the journey was very challenging with heavy  thunder storms and the motor ways were flooded the rivers had burst banks everywhere so lots and lots of water!!

The campsite was down a very tricky muddy lane with water running down like a rive.   Alan was great driving the van - I and Big Ted were  not much help just hoping we would not be washed away.   We were very happy  when we finally got to the site and found a pitch then the sun came out and it has  been very warm and sunny since. 

The site we next  stayed at was north of Guarda in rural Northern Portugal we travelled from Salamanca in Spain and it was worth the journey.  There were  lots of jays (in fact too many as the rest of the bird life will suffer ) and different birds on the site so Alan  was  well pleased.  There were many local walks which we took advantage of taking us through rural villages and watching local life go by:

The bridge over the river !  All answers on a post card!

Old buildings with character and charm.  

Alan thinks a log store to die for - is this a man thing! ( ok waiting for the sexist comments)

Dolly the satnav still continues to do a wonderful job guiding us on our way and the van is a joy to drive and live in.  The weather continues to be kind to as we head off to the mountains of Portugal.