Category: Diary

Posted on

Faro, EM527-1

Stopped for lunch and then headed into Faro to see the Chapel of Bones, now back here to stop for the night. Lovely views but planes taking off every now and then are quite loud.

@park4night : http://park4night.com/lieu/30590/A large and flat car park, no shade and very quiet, except for the planes.
You can come and go to Faro by bus.
A wooden walkway connects you to Playa de Faro, where you can spend a very pleasant day, with many bars where you can recover your strength and a great beach.
The planes are constant, both in takeoff and landing, at night there is a break between 23 and 7 approximately.#prettyPhoto

Posted on

Camperplaats Alvor

Camperplaats Alvor
https://www.campercontact.com/en/portugal/algarve-80-89-/alvor/21554/camperplaats-alvor

A large dusty car park, must be messy in the rain, has 2 MH service pointa but the attendant turns the water off when he is not there.

Lots of long termers and D,GB,NL,F,P couple of large rigs.

Beach is 5 minutes, town 10 minute walk.

We met up with June & Gary who had cycled from Lagos.

Wandered into the town and marina very nice, narrow cobbled streets, lots of cafes had a nice meal.

Walked length of the beach in the evening watching sunset.

Next day we took a bike ride to Portimao, road virtually all the way. The bikes performed very well. So far we have cycled 12 miles and eco is still showing 80 miles so battery size is good. Portimao was pleasant another coastal town. Had lunch at a beach restaurant we passed on the way in Jacqui had Sea Bass quite rich.

Posted on

Lagos, 20 N125

@park4night : http://park4night.com/lieu/14432/Not the most relaxing place around but does the job if you are heading into Lagos. You just pay €3 into the machine and display your ticket. From there it’s about 20 minute walk to the centre of Lagos. When we arrived there were over 50 motorhomes so it’s a popular spot!#prettyPhoto

Met Gary & June who we first met at SMC meet in July. Took a walk in the town and had a meal very nice PiriPiri Chicken.

Posted on

Comporta Aire to Zambujeira Campsite

Left Comporta Aire, heading towards Sines, however it turns out Sines is a large refinery and port. So we changed tack and headed towards Villa da Milfontes.A large carpark no services other than parking. Near a lovely town and a good looking beach but not close to either.After lunch and coffee headed on to Zambujeira, a very pleasant campsite ACSI, pool, bar, shop and 3 motorhome service points. Pitches are sandy gravel, lots of trees, clean facilities, good showers and toilets.

Posted on

Orbitur, Costa da Caparica to Comporta Aire

Left the Orbitur site around 10:00, having used the service point to fill and empty. The service has one huge flaw, the toilet empty point doesn’t have a water point,. You have to use the fresh water. To use we removed their adapter, sprayed with disinfectant and used our own adapter.

Drove off and probably not to return.

The drive only eventful by trying to park at a big Auchan and Leroy Merlin but unable to find anywhere as either underground or had height restrictions.

Still found another Auchan about 20 mins down the road, so stocked up. Popped into an Aki, sort of B&Q, found a Cortina de Porta fly screen, 59€ and only one so have left if to now.

Carried on and arrived at a dusty car park that is the Comporta Aire, basic but safe and big.

Posted on

Foz da Arelho to Orbitur, Costa da Caparica

Left the site at Foz with some regret it really was a treat of a site and our spot was a prime one. Phil and Barbara decided they would stay on another night and enjoy being stationary.Decided we would head to Cape de Roca and the Sintra and Lidl etc… One of the routes offered took us through or passed Sintra so we changed plans slightly and decided to check out a couple of the stops around Sintra and then go to Capo and then back to Sintra for a shop and overnight.The first stop was a railway bus station car park, the latest review stated they had been robbed soon after parking up and it was really very exposed, with no security. After a small wrong turn we headed into Lidl and the second spot. Easily found and just as described but completely empty apart from a converted lorry in one corner.So we decided to head off to Capo and decide what to do afterwards.Tried to pick a route which did not take us through Sintra but again the satnav chose an completely unsuitable route. Narrow tights roads walled both side building cobbles trees cars tight turns steep roads, horrible. Jacqui said oh look a coach which thankfully seemed to be going our way but after awhile we realised it was one of those small coaches that they use when the big ones will not fit and they were all like it.Eventually after many Kms we reached an N road with kerbs and white lines. Followed this.Cabo de Roca was as busy as we have ever seen Portugal, lots of people but not packed.I decided I was not going back to Sintra and did not feel comfortable staying on the spots we had found. Plan B was to head for the Orbitur site near Lisbon only a bus and ferry away from the centre. Checked in and 38 € for 2 nights with ehu. It’s ok, nit the best and not the worst, road noise and dated facilities.