Summer days and long drives

Summer is here, even if it is only temporary!!  We left Portimao on a balmy Tuesday morning, having decided to head north to Monchique.  However, sticking to plans has never been a strong point of ours and after stocking up on food and gas, with the temperature pushing 27 degrees C, we decided we'd try and cool down on the coast and we were soon on our way to Sagres instead!

We weren’t supposed to go to Sagres; we just happened to miss the turn off for the road that takes you north from Vila do Bispo towards Amado beach, our intended destination.  Instead of turning round, we figured we’d stop for lunch at the fort and give Powell a leg stretch before continuing.  We also made the decision to get some miles under our belt to kickstart the long journey north and ended up in Porto Covo for our second free overnight stop since arriving in Portugal on 1 March.  In fairness, the most expensive night so far has been 4.50, so it’s hardly broken the bank!  As for Amado beach, we'll see you next time!

There are actually two ‘official’ parking areas in Porto Covo, in addition to a multitude of tolerated places.  We parked in the more scenic of the two official spots, with a beautiful view of the Atlantic.  After a lovely little coastal walk with Powell, taking photos along the way, we toasted the sunset with a cup of tea and had a fairly early night, with a view to getting up and moving on at a reasonable time on Wednesday.  We were lucky we arrived when we did as there were other vans turning up well into the night and it was full when we woke up the next morning!  

Porto Covo coastline

Tea and sunset!

In the morning, we made use of the free servicing point at the other, not so scenic parking area, before heading to our next overnight spot at Lagoa de Santo Andre, just 30 odd Km up the road.

I’d read in the book that it was a tolerated spot, but on arrival, it seemed to have been made all but official, with water and emptying facilities having recently been made available.  There were around a dozen other vans parked up in various locations and we finally managed to pick a spot that didn’t look like it might end up with us getting stuck in deep sand.  Just as we were about to park, we saw a familiar figure walking up the road.  It turned out to be Callum (and later, his wife, Issie and dog Axle), our neighbour from Almerimar!  It just goes to show what a small world it is!  After settling in and taking a walk on the beach and up to the lagoon, we had a spot of lunch, then sat outside with Callum and Issie, catching up and chatting about all things travel and beyond.  The time flew and before we knew it, it was almost time for another sundowner.  This time, we did it properly and wine in hand, joined Callum, Issie and Axle on the beach for a sunset stroll.  Powell promptly decided that we were far less interesting than the potential food on the beach and took himself for a little sniff...he came back, as he always does, just as we were leaving the beach and out of sight!

Our spot at Lagoa de Santo Andre

On Thursday morning, we had a bit of a lie in, having only intended to drive a few kms up the road.  We said our farewells to Callum, Issie and Axle (thanks again for the CD guys!!) and got back on the road.  We stopped at Intermarche for some supplies and servicing (a few of the Intermarches in Portugal have free servicing points!!), before changing our plans again and opting for more miles...

A 3 hour, very bumpy journey ensued up the IC1 and the N10, to Obidos.  The roads are the Portuguese equivalent of A roads.  However, they’re in a terrible state in parts, so it’s almost impossible to travel any faster than 70kms an hour, and sometimes even that’s pushing it.  However, it’s cheaper than the toll roads and it also gives you access to some of Portugal’s stunning scenery.  We arrived in Obidos at around 1530, affording us a couple of hours to have some lunch, then take the short stroll along the viaduct and into the fortress village for a look around.  It’s so small and it was so warm, that we were done in less than an hour.  Pete was having a stroppy day, feeling overheated and hassled by bugs, and of course, it was all Obidos’s fault!  We made the decision, for my sanity and to pacify the beast, to drive the extra few kms to what should have been our Friday destination, Foz do Arelho.  Good job we decided to move on as it’s now Friday and the place is packed, with more vans arriving all the time!  The crowds have descended for the Easter weekend and our timing couldn’t have been better as we’d have struggled to get a spot had we waited; sometimes strops are a good thing!

Foz do Arelho is an interesting place.  It’s a fish and bird haven from what I can grasp from the various tourist information boards in the area.  Apparently, there are 50 different species of fish and 60 species of bird in this area, or it could be the other way around...we have no idea on either subject, but imagine it must be a birdspotter’s paradise when the hoards have gone!  I initially thought we were just in a bay, but we are actually parked right by another lagoon called Lagoa de Obidos and it’s lovely, despite the masses!  I say masses, there’s still a sense of space, despite the aire itself being full.  It’s 3 euros a night and we’re paid up until Sunday after a couple of big driving days.

This morning we took Powell for a run with the bikes before it started to heat up.  He loved it and we gave him a regular soaking to stop him overheating.  He was happy to chill under his umbrella outside for a few hours afterwards.  Pete has been back out on his bike and discovered some nice single track round the corner, so he’s happy to stay for another couple of nights!  I have yet to start painting but think I may do some tomorrow.  The wifi here is free and not too bad so I figured I’d get  bit of an update on while I can.

Our spot for the weekend - Foz do Arelho

The temperature has reduced considerably to around 22 degrees C; it’s been in the high 20s since Tuesday!  Hopefully if it stays a bit cooler tomorrow, we’ll be able to take Powell a bit further on the bikes.

We’re off to Nazare on Monday we think...there’s a beach stopover between here and there that we want to have a look at on Sunday; it’s another freebie and 50m from the beach so it would be crazy not to!  Pete has just checked the weather forecast....summer ends on Monday!!