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.
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.
Praia de Mira to Foz de Arelho
Left the site after a restless night apparently the sound of wave crashing can be sleep disturbing.Filled up with water and emptied before leaving 23€ for the 2 no guts, EHU was very good 16amp I think. Showers were uninviting but very good.We set decided to head to Foz de Arelho, which had been recommended by so many people. We stopped off at an InterMarche and Bricomarche to get some essentials. At the entrance they had an offer on 5l box red wine 13% at 5.99€ sorted! As we wandered round I started to think maybe it will be rubbish like the stuff in Spain. Then I came across the aisle selling boxed wine not sure what the cheapest was but 4.99 for 5l was very visible so we splashed out and kept the 5.99 box, what can go wrongCracked on stopped for lunch at a free spot next to a cafe overlooking a bay, we both though ooohh, this looks nice really attractive. So we stopped had a coffee and some lunch. The apps suggested we could stop but we felt a bit uncomfortable as it was just a parking layby other vans there but did not feel quite right and it was too early to stop for the night. So we headed off thinking not going to find anywhere that nice, missed opportunity etc…Passed another spot near some dunes but 5€ for parking up seemed expensive and we were heading for 4€. When we finally arrived it looked awful like a van storage yard but a bit run down and bleached. Paid our monies one night only and drive past the electric area to reach a larger parking area drove down the front rows and space appeared but blocked with chaos so carried on and found one more near the end reversed in. Teh view is stunning right across and down the estuary and next to a lovely beach with anchored small fishing boats.Met a French neighbour a photographer who took some stunning a pics. Just a lovely spot, makes traveling worthwhile.
Quinta das Cegonhas to Praia de Mira
Left the Dutch site on a cloudy morning we had a nice 2 night stop and felt a bit recharged. The dinner we ordered was ok, but having to provide a pan for them to supply it in if having a takeaway was a new one for us.
We headed to Lidl, for some supplies and then towards an Aire, which was an easy trip, it was empty and seemed brand new all free, but only 14:00 and alolthiygh great access to town there was no views at all, we moved on, decided to make for the coast.
Headed for Mira, specifically Praia de Mira, as 3 campsites and a few free options. Picked the Municipal Site at we think 11.50€pn inc EHU. About 500m from the beach which is fantastic, cold cold water no swimming without a wetsuit and even then brrrr!
A lively day sat in the shade and rested again.
Valladolid to Quinta das Cegonhas
Left the Aire around 10:30, we used the hidden water taps to fill up risking the slightly chlorinated water. Made reasonable time and had a good journey the land was on the whole dull.
Filled up in Spain at 1.275 as we believe Portugal maybe higher prices, crossed the border bit wiggly but straight through as discovered fuel at 1.455, although it did come down to 1.389.
When we passed border there were lots of signs for toll so we stopped Leomil services and googled Portugal Toll. Ended up using EasyToll linked to Nationwide CC, Revolut would not work, very annoying.
We have finally stopped at a campsite 17.50 no EHU per night will probably do 2 nights. The guy at the reception when asked about the pool said, we no longer clean it, so a bit green, or fill so a bit low, and it is very cold but you can use it if you want to?
It does have WiFi and clean facilities,mostly D and NL vans one other Brit.
Europe 2018, 18 & 19
Long drive, bit tedious but no tolls arrived in Luxembourg, on the outskirts of Luxembourg City, at Camping Kockelscheur. A golf course, gym, with A large site, 36 euros 2 nights, plan is to visit the city by bus tomorrow.
Saturday the bus is free, rained a little but over night but nothing major. Quick bus trip to the Hamilus stop, had a brief wander around the streets when Jacqui checked and had an email, saying the alarm had gone off. We had brief debate checked van location and it had not moved, so decided to leave it, Jacqui mentioned the moths and that put my kind at rest as could not work out what had set off the alarm.
We had a coffee and then looked at the sites to visit info, the only one that stood out was the Maudan Gallery of Modern art, it was a 35 mi walk (hahhaha). We set off and the skies brightened and it got hotter, followed the Vauban itinerie. The museum cost 8e entry for that we got a on entry badge, magnetic very clever. Saw some interesting art work and some crap. Sometimes you do feel that the artist(?) with the best spiel get the exhibition. The wind artist Sunsuma shingo was v.good and some his pieces were exceĺlent.
Afetre the museum we needed physical, sustenance so found the Yumm festival they had some food wagons and a jazz orchestra. We queued a long time for for a truffle burger it was very good but I wish Jacqui had had the tagliatelle which self divine. Walked back and caught free bus , not much for tea.
Europe 2018 14, 15, 16
Vauvert, Flower campsite after 3 nights at holiday campsite decided to head up the coast and then start making our way home. Ended up at a site we had stayed at before and really enjoyed. It is just very relaxed no hassles chilled out site. Full of Dutch, no bad thing.
Stopped for one night and stayed 3, went to vauvert town on the Tuesday to pick up some vape stuff and 2 gel pads for our saddles. Next day went to the cave and then rode through the commune of Gallician to the Camargue, smelly marsh lands basically but lots of birds etc….
[geolocation]
Europe 2018, 11,12 & 13
Left site dreading village but as no oncoming traffic or parked cars it was easy. I wanted see if we could get some better leg supports for our chairs having seen a chap at Auch using some. On Google I found that Narbonne Acessories where just around the corner and from their website seemed to stock everything. Although I the wrong direction it was only a small detour. It is a great shop, lots of stuff, we ended up buying 2 chairs, 2 leg supports and a folding brush 260 euros.
We then set out to the site I had found that looked ok with a pool, restaurant, voi verte nearby, and access to the sea. Camping Village Il Floride, ACSI so booked in for 3 nights.
Choice of pitches but all on top of each other, good hedges but it was all a bit cramped, once setup we enjoyed the pitch and the site.
Good shade and good morning sun, made great use of the lounger chairs etc…
Sat cycled down the voi verte and stopped off for a beer and coffee.
Sunday went to the market, bought take away tea, used the pool, ok, pad Thai, chicken curry and rice.
Monday left.
Pros, great for families
Cons, noisy till 2am night clubs, no motor home service point , they will argue this saying they have one but it is inaccessible to all but the campervan. Would not return, should have left on Sunday.
Europe 2018, 7
Took awning in last night as it felt it was going to thunder,but no, so this am out it out again, supposed to be warmer today but on the whole felt the same. By 12 it was clear and blue skies so a wander in to the village centre nothing open.
We popped to the inetrmarche for some items, will pick up beer and wine tomorrow in the way out.
Back to van read for a bit then pool relaxing a catching up on social media.
Still undecided as to what to do after Weds, if now news then will carry on to Spain.
Prepare food for a chicken stir fry with rice and a lot of veg. Jacqui will be pleased as she can now buy some more.
We discovered that 3 tablespoons make enough coffee for 2 mugs.
Europe 2018, 5
Awoke to discover that most had already left the site, we packed up paid our 4 euros, and moved to the unique service point. Lots of levers and slots, but all worked well and obvious what to do.
Then headed off the short route this time, decided to head south and see where we where around lunch time. Used the Auto route around Poitiers, this saved time initially but misunderstood the junction numbering so missed J29 and J30 so took J31 all in all about 90km, Peage initially came up with class 3, 18 euro, pressed button to speak took awhile to connect but ‘je suis une camping car…’ bingo class 2, 12 euro, very pleased.
Stopped for some lunch, decided to headed for ASCI site at Saint Justin, then changed mind and headed for
Camping Vert Bord’Eau
https://www.campercontact.com/en/frankrijk/aquitaine-24-33-40-47-64-/saint-symphorien/55430/camping-vert-bord-eau
When arrived no one atbtge reception waited no one arrived other than 2 French couples eventually tried calling but dialled wrong so no answer, the French lady tried and got through, we got the code and setup electric and water all nearby, pool, restaurant closed but it’s ok, very hot, 32 in the shade.
Had a take away pizza from across the road. More Reacher and a glass of wine.