Saville, through Costa del Sol & onto Costa de la Luz

So where are we now?  Our next stop was Saville,what an enchanting city especially the magnificent Alcazar  the palace with water features, gardens and intricate Islamic detail including wonderful tiles throughout the buildings.  Decided to take the open top tourist . bus which took us around the city to see all the sites.   We stopped off at the cathedral which is the largest church in the world a huge gothic structure with the remains of Christopher Columbus, it is vast with lots of oil paintings and treasures in gold and silver.  You can see how powerful a city it had been in the past,  images of Carmen, bullfighting and flamenco everywhere. Could not get Alan to dance!!

Our next destination was the old town of Conil de la Frontera  very picturistic with narrow streets and an old fortress which is now a museum.  There are several churches in the town and the beach is long and sandy. 

The town is famous for fish so we tried several tapas which were delicious. 

On ward next to Torrox Costa just outside Malaga.

Throughout our journey we came across fields 

of Sunflowers all in bloom turning their faces
 towards the sun!

We have seemed to acquire a few more belongings along the way the van garage started off half full on leaving home it is now almost full. A  necessary purchase  was another Stat Nav which had GPS facility as without this it is difficult to get the correct address making our journeys somewhat stressful. We decided our new Stat Nav should have a name so she  is called Molly!

Alan abilities seem to have traveled across Spain
 he's still mending things?

On Day 50 headed south along the motorway mountain route (A7)  which turned out to be still  under construction with half the road not built.  So we had to go along a very narrow road which clung onto the side of the mountain  just before Motril for about 25 miles.  Alan’s driving was magnificent as he propelled the van through difficult turns and twists. 

During the journey to our latest camp site we stopped off at many villages. that were selling wonderful fruits, cherries, oranges, peaches etc with local butchers and villagers selling fresh fish & great smelling cheeses.

From the Costa del Sol headed for the Costa De La Luz, the site we were heading to was in Roguetta de mar.  The surrounding area is used for growing fruit and vegetable from a distance all you could see was plastic coverings everywhere which was a real blot on the traveling landscape.  The villages along the coast are set against a back drop of the Sierra Nevada mountains a much slower, quieter more relaxed pace.    

So what has Big Ted been up to trying        
his hand at camping outside in his tent

                                                                                                                                                              

So back to life on the beach before traveling to our next destination!

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.

European trip - off we go

And off we go

On the 18^th May we drove the van off the drive and headed South on our European adventure.  Stopped off to see my brother before having a few days in Plymouth exploring the sites and sounds of the town before catching the overnight ferry to Santander.

The Van ready for the off

Plymouth  not quite the mode of transport we will be using to get to Spain!

The beautiful gardens at the National Trust Property in Plymouth really worth a visit if you are in the area.

As we drove off the ferry singing Aveva Espainia it all seemed rather more real than in the past.  The adventure had begun!

Our first site on the Peninsula de la Magdalena was only moments from the beach we stayed for 4 nights.

The lovely beaches at De la Magdalena on the North coast of Spain.

We then found a stow away - Big Ted - could not resist taking him to the beach to build sand castles!

One of the many churches in the area

 We are now heading onto Aguilar de Campoo in the mountains, followed by Palencia and Salamanca..

Chile Pictures

A few photos from my Chile holiday in November 2010