Hereford fishing site

A visit to Hereford CC and C site which has an
excellent fishing lake.

Abergaveny Birthday

Spent my birthday in Abergaveny and went to the |Food Festival

Cricklehowell

We are spending a couple of days at Riverside Caravan site very close to the banks of the Usk in order to go to the Food festival in Abergaveny.

Gower Peninsular

We spent a couple of days on the spectacular Gower peninsular.

Newquay welsh version

Left Jean and went to Newquay on the north coast as we have not been before.

Jean, Alan and Adam at Tenby

We are on a short break in Wales to see Jean and family, have a few days sight seeing and go to a food festival.

While we were with Jean we went to Tenby. This was a favourite place to go on caravan holidays with our children, when they were small.
We even stayed at a hotel here one.

A village called Broglie

Another even longer drive of 250 miles has taken us within 180 miles of Calais. Started looking for aires at about 6pm and found a very likely candidate outside a fire station near an oldy worldy village called La Sap. Just about to 'settle in' when the firemen (and women) came out and started doing circuit training along side the parking area accompanied by music from a portable CD player.- 'time to go said Zebedee'. Found an even nicer village 20km further on called Broglie with an aire on the site of an old railway station. The station buildings are now refurbished as the local library and the goods yard is a landscaped aire for 8 camping cars. Very nice for 5 euros, has security guard, toilets, water and just a short stroll for fresh bread in the morning, with friendly neverlanders and french motorhomers for company as a bonus. However, its a bit cool this evening. I think we must be getting close to England.

The Vendee

Had a fairly long drive to the Vendee to a camping cheque site called La Yole near St Jean de Monts. A very British style site with Canvas Holidays, Keycamp and Eurocamp all well represented, not to mention those independents who had booked with Caravan Club. Rosemary bought an English newspaper from the site shop and so a Thai chicken curry cooked on 'the jamie' did not seem out of place. The walk to the beach and back was just 'back to back' campsites of a similar nature, although most seemed empty. Every other voice was British but at least there were no full English breakfast signs or Cornish pasties in evidence. The area has changed a bit since we bought Mark and Katie here when they were young 30 years ago.

Ile de Oberon again

Walked into Le Chateau (the name of local village) along the coast road despite it being nominal 2.5 km away and a hot day. By the time we looked at its ruined chateau, the port and the market we had done over 6 km. Even had a 'quel courage' from french neighbors who we saw cycling in both directions! But we did get some sardines and mussels to cook/bbq and the pool was warm and the beer was cool!

Next day we decided to drive round the Island to the lighthouse and La Cotiere a pretty fishing village which was heaving with weekenders having sea food lunches. Stopped on the island for a final night at The Remparts, an aire type camping site on the outskirts of the Le Chateau which was 99% motorhomes.

Ile de Oleron

We chose to stay on the Ile de Oleron for the weekend and made for the camping cheque site (La Bande) via the coast road thru tiny villages and ports. The ports are now mostly for pleasure use and each one had a very good motorhome aire along side its small marina. Noted for future journeys! Arrived at site during lunch hour so went off for a snack and had a most interesting lunch experience. The nearby oyster and mussel 'producture' has a small restaurant cooking mussles the 'aglade' style. This involves arranging lots of mussels on a square plank covered in foil then covering the mussels with pine needles and twigs. The whole lot is then set on fire (with blow lamp!) and when it goes out the mussels are cooked. We had to try these of course with some frites and wine. Very nice but blew the Sunday lunch budget (maybe). Eventually returned to the site and found a nice pitch with sun and shade for the weekend. It has free wifi and I am sitting writing this in the warm sunshine with a glass of wine. Excellent pool with warm water, so that's tomorrow taken care of as well.

Moving back to the coast

Did not have any luck fishing in Beauville. It was a nice lake but too big and deep unless you have the time and bait to tackle it properly. So we decided to move a day early and make the most of a rather grey day to chase the forecast sun to the coast over the weekend. Rosemary found a really nice aire on the municipal picnic area in a small village on the Gironde and we had it to ourselves. Right next to the village 'minimarket' too - so very convenient. To get there we had a pleasant, long, drive thru the Lot region (Agen, Villeneuve sur Lot) and then down the Dordogne from Bergerac to the Gironde estuary. I walked down to the old water mill to stretch my legs. It was 1.5km thru the woods and same back along road later. Both sides of the road had fields full of either sweet corn or sun flower plants. It would be quite a sight later in year.

Beauville - Les 2 lacs

Made friends with Gladys again once we were near our intended stop at Les 2 Lacs for a couple of days fishing. However when we still going up a steep hill and she announced we were 1 km from our destination doubts returned. Lakes are not normally on hills. But sure enough we arrived at the camp site entrance 500m from the village as described and then all become clear. The camping is at the bottom of a very steep winding hill in a lovely sheltered valley another 500m from the entrance. There we were on our own (how many more times do I have to write that) but quickly become acquainted with the dutch owners in the restaurant/reception which has been built between the swimming lake and fishing lake. Apparently this was becoming a popular leisure destination with locals including Brits who live in the area. We had a lunch time bbq so I could have an evening fishing. The lakes are also home to hundreds of frogs and I have never heard so much noise as soon as it gets dark. I think it goes on all night - at least it had stopped by morning.

Rocamadour

After leaving Sarlat we picnicked on the way to Rocamadour which Mike fancied seeing before we left the Dordogne area. We arrived late afternoon at the top of the canyon (with Margaret navigating again - GPS not to be trusted) where the chateau, sanctuaries and old Cite are stacked on top of each other clinging to the side of the canyon. As it was our last night before parting we had dinner at a restaurant with a sublime view over looking the site. The flood lights even came on to complete the picture as we finished our meal. We decided to have regional specialty menu which consisted of turkey giblets salad with walnuts and pate followed by duck and chips, goats cheese and ice cream. It sounds much better in French of course and was actually very nice indeed. The next morning we said our farewells to Mike and Margaret and they departed for a long drive to the Loire valley 'to do chateaus' on the way home. We were not going so far and decided to go down to the car park at the bottom of the canyon and visit the cite site before we left. We caught the little train to the outer gates and walked thru the old cite (gift shops!) and up the 197 stone steps or the 'Le grande escalier, (better in French again) to the sanctuaries. Then walked up the way of the cross which turned out to be the pilgrim way down to the cite from the top of the canyon. The chateau was not open to the public so we had no option but to walk all the way down again. We set off south towards the Lot valley where Gladys (the GPS) navigated us to a non-existent motorway junction and then up a farm track - where's Margaret!

Dordogne and Sarlat

The first objective of seeing some of the Dordogne was achieved in the short drive from the aire on the canal, via Bergerac, to a large camping cheque site on the bank of the river. We passed several picturesque castles/chateau on rocky crags overlooking the river en route, before we reached the site near Montfort. We chose two pitches just over the hedge overlooked by a huge rocky crag (photo opportunity) for a relaxing day with no driving. Rather cloudy day with a little rain overnight but cleared up later for short stroll along the river where we saw a kingfisher and eagles/buzzards soaring overhead. The following day we drove into Sarlat parking outside the old town and walked down steep pedestrian way. Very attractive old buildings with lots of restaurants offering regional dishes mostly duck, walnut and foie gras based. Rosemary bought me a rather chique wooden duck for my collection from one of the many little shops.

Spain to the Dordogne

Last day in Spain was rather cloudy so we made the most of the day by putting in a longish hop of around 180 miles back into France. Although this was mostly A8 motorway (but with tolls) it did involve negotiating both Santander and Bilbao's Friday afternoon traffic. Not a pleasant drive. A detour thru San Sebastion was a big mistake as it had nowhere to park two motorhomes, but at least we found a large Eroski supermarket to stock up on food and diesel before crossing the border into France. We had an ice cream (first and last in Spain) and pressed on to stop over night on a camping cheque site near St Jean de Luz. We ate outside but it thundered and rained overnight. Frenchman cheered us up by telling us there would be storms all weekend. Although it was wet again we left 'the storms' behind us as we headed north East towards the Dordogne and Mike found us a very nice Aire for the night by the Garonne canal just of the D733. Just got there in time to take the last two places. We had coffee and croisants at the local cafe/shop in exchange for our free night before the last 75 miles to the Dordogne.

Leaving the mountains behind for a Spanish village

After two excellent days and nights in the mountains at Potes we departed the way we came (ie white knuckle run thru the Hermidas gorge) and back onto the coast. Stopped over at San Vincent de la Barque for a lunch break before proceeding to the camping cheque site at Camping Santillana. This is less than a km away from the centre of the touristy village of Santillana del Mar. It has a history of being the home of wealthy Spaniards and has many well preserved villas and a monastry. Many of the buildings are now up-market hotels, trendy boutiques or restauraunts. We walked down the steep back road and found it rather quiet (ie lack of tourists) but still very picturesque with balconies full of brilliant geraniums. We had a simple sandwich lunch and walked back up the hill. The evening has turned rather cool and overcast and it looks like the weather is going downhill for a few days just as we are about to head for France.

Fuente De

Feunte De is the 'end of the road' from Potes and a comparitively gentle drive of 20Km to put on another 3000ft before reaching the wall of rock that is Feunte De (literally the fountian of the River De). We have been staying on La Isla camp site, a super friedly place (with lots of Brits) which has views of the Picos and all the usual site facilites including a restaraunt which we tried tonight. The final leg of the journey is a 3 minute trip in the cable car and is a single exhilerating lift of 800metres to the top of cliff face. There were still patches of snow, despite the hot sunshine, to entertain the youngsters (and the geriatrics!) so we achieved another of our objectives of making a snow ball in the Picos. We sat on the terrace on the edge of the mountian at 6000ft sipping coffee and eating muffins (how terribly English!) while we took photos of the view and the eagles circling overhead.

To the Picos de Europa mountains

Its Sunday and the day many campers change sites, including us, but we seem to be about 3 hours behind everyone else. We were heading towards Llanes along the scenic A8 autoroute, mountains on one side and misty coast on the other. Fortunately the mist had dispersed by the time we reached LLanes. The beach was very busy, could not park on the Aire, whilst the town appeared to be full of confirmation parties with girls in pretty white dresses and their extended families. We finally parked within walking distance of the harbour and had typical Spanish lunch (menu del dia) in a nice restaurant perched above the beach. The final part of the day involved a 40 mile drive to Potes in the Picos de Europa national park. 20 km of this is through a 'spectacular' narrow gorge formed bythe river Deva. Spectacular that is unless you have big motorhome, - Mike had a another name for it - but we made it unscathed and found the site easily. Relaxing with a well deserved drink and view of the mountains it was worth the effort.

Cubilliero

Spent 2 nights on an ACSI site close to Cubilliero - very helpful and amusing owner despite language barrier. Two really nice grassy pitches for relaxing in the warm sunny weather. Unfortuately we were 400 ft above sea level so the steep walks down to the beach and quaint fishing village were too much for Margaret. (Cubilliero bans busses and vans from its narrow cobbled streets.) Peter and Rosemary did do the 4 miles return walk, lunched at one of the 'wall to wall' fish restaurants (we deserved it!) and brought a sea bream back to cook. Later a thick sea mist swept in (remember the film The Fog? - spooky) right up to the site - never did get a photo of the beach. Swimming pool opened while we were there, lovely pool area - but water not warmed up enough to tempt anyone in! Also a good opportunity do some washing - good dryin weather (apart from the mist).

Serantes

Drove a short way along the coast admiring the scenary. The playa de cathedral was suberb series of coves interspersed with huge rock formatons. Decided to try a site we found in the caravan club book. It was deserted but appeared to be open so we decided to stop anyway. (A couple of hours later a young lady receptionist/cleaner/gardener appeared). A very nice site, lemon trees in the play area and 1km from a small beach (not visitied). We bbq'd the sardines and rabas (squid) while Mike did some burgers and sausages. Weather is very good now with hot sunshine and sea breeze. Nights are still cool with dew on the grass in the morning - ideal motorhoming weather in fact.

Santaigo to Foz

Drove in convoi (behaving like French already) to the coast at Foz in order to start seeing some of the coast scenary. Nice drive via N634 thru rolling mountians. Had a 'jamie' style BBQ and a short stroll down to the beach but the tide was in over the rocks. First ACSI site we have used on this trip.

Santiago de Compostella

Met Mike and Margaret in Santiago after a short burst down the motorway from A Coruna. They had saved us a pitch next to them having arrived the previous evening. Went into Santiago on the bus and visited the cathedral. A few pilgrims in the square but not as many as last time we were here. In fact there seem to be fewer tourist everywhere - the credit crunch I guess. We all had a coffee and Tarte de Santiago just off the square and caught the bus back again.

A Coruna and the Tower of Hercules

Bade farewell to the Belgians, paid the 14 euros (for cold showers!) and went into town to the Sunday market. Bit dissappointing cos it was mostly vegetables and plants but did buy a couple of Padron pepper plants to grow on the way home - will they have flowers by the time we get home? Then we drove the few remaining miles into A Coruna, where we first located the official Aire overlooking a small fishing harbour to the west of Coruna. It was deserted, no services and did not fancy it. Seems like the coastal aires are for the summer months.

Went into A Coruna, a big town and busy despite being Sunday, around the touristy front to the Tower of Hercules area. This is the site of a roman light house, now fully restored, with its exhibition area (geriatric entry rates). We had a nice, if expensive, Sunday lunch with lamb and turbot and half bottle of wine within site of the tower and a TV screen. Saw Jason Button win Monaco grande prix (Alonso crashed out much to Spanish dismay!) I went most of the way up the tower before giving up - lots of stone steps - too much lunch. Booked-in to a super, but deserted, camp site at Santa Cruz as it started to rain, backed into tree - only minor damage!

Galicia and Finistere - End of the world again!

Set off to drive round part of the Rias via Ribaveria (where there was a huge market), Noia and Muros in light rain. However it soon brightened up to show the super coastal scenery at its best. Reached Finistere in the late afternoon where the sun was still shining and hardly any breeze - not quite the image for the Costa del Morte! Drove up the steep access to the lighthouse at Cape Finistere, which was thought to be the end of the world and final destination for many pilgrims to Santiago, if they still had the energy. We saw a few who had cycled and some mainly Spanish tourists, had a coffee and headed north for a site on the north coast close to A Coruna. Arrived at 7-30 after driving 160 miles. Just us and a Belgium couple - it would be a lovely little site, if it wasn't pissing down with rain.

Back in Spain

Drove the 20Km up the old N13 (terrible road surface) to the border at Valanca for crossing back into Spain, now clocked up 1610miles since leaving home. Hopped onto the motorway to give suspension a rest and bypass Vigo to get to Pontevedre. Only spent about 10euros on tolls until now but the few miles on Autovia d'Atlantic to Pontevedre cost almost 5 euros! Explored a bit of the coast line before finding ourselves on a brand new bit of regional motorway (free) which led us back to Padron. After eating the famous Pimientos de Padron, bought many times from supermarkets, this was an opportunity to buy some of the real thing and a packet of seeds to grow our own back in UK. Padron is also the place where Saint James's body was landed before being taken to Santiago, so has many historical and pilgrimage connections. Stayed overnight on the Aire at Boiro which now costs 6 euros a night, if you can find a way to buy ticket at the underground car park in town! We tried (really) and failed - crazy idea. We were the only ones there, nice spot overlooking the water, wonder why! Walked along shore to nearby harbour where we saw a man catch a sepia (cuttle fish) - don't fancy sea fishing anymore! Rosemary cooked a thai chicken curry - makes a change!

Caminha - last stop in Portugal

In view of the nice weather we decided to bypass Braga (and the 1000 steps - we have done plenty of those) and head for the coast. Stopped 3 nights to chill out at Caminha, which is at north west corner of Portugal. Its literally a stones throw from Spain (if you can throw a stone a couple of hundred yards across the River Minho which is the border between Portugal and Spain). Small quiet Orbitur site a nice 2km walk from town round the bay. We have a perfect pitch amongst the pines with a view over the bay to Spain behind us. Just lazying around in the sun with the odd BBQ and bottle of vinho for a couple of days, before we head off into Spain to Padron, A Coruna and meet up with Mike and Margaret in Santiago next week. Mike arrived Wednesday evening in Santander - exchanged a few SMS's so far.

Douro valley and wine country - part 2

Next day starts very sunny so we continue down the south side of the river. This time the road hugs the river passing 'wall to wall' vineyards with all the well known 'quinta' (Sandeman, Dows etc) until reaching Palau a really nice little village with a 4 star hotel. We met the tour guide of the Saga cruise boat which was moored there for lunch. We coffee'd in the superb but suitably expensive hotel, took photos of the ornate tiled railway station before moving on.

This was the most hair raising bit of driving I have ever done! First decided to see a bit of the north side of the river which started flat then turned upwards and narrowed with no turning back and no edges to the road which dropped also most vertically away on every bend.We reached a wine lodge half way up the hill, managed to turn round in the entrance and retrace our journey. This time we were on the the outside of the bends meeting local traffic coming up fortunetely not too many and not too wide! The correct road to Sabrosa was almost as bad but at least had barriers and was wider. Strangely enough there was hardly any traffic on this road for the whole of the 1500 ft hair pin ascent. Amazing views of the vine yards below - when I could take my eyes off the road.

Sabrosa was the birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer, navigator and first man to plan a voyage around the world. He was actually killed on the voyage and did not complete it himself, contrary to popular history books. I took a GPS fix on his house to within 25yds with my Magellan 210, he would surely have been both honoured and amazed. For the record N41deg 15.891sec, W7deg 34.550sec and 1880 ft ASL

Last scheduled stop of the day was at the Solar do Mateus, the country house famous for being on that bottle of rose wine. Mostly UK tourist here, not very impressive place really, but we have been - not got the T shirt.

Onwards and westwards now along the IP4 back towards Porto. This is a 3 lane highway, two lanes uphill and 1 lane down. Never driven down a 8500 metre (5 mile) 12% gradient persued by a string of lorries before. Glad to stop the night at Amarante before the final site seeing (in Portugal) at Braga. Rosemary is cooking raditional fish stew with rice from bag/kit at supermarket - god knows what is in it. Only 1000 steps to climb at Bom Jesus tomorrow then we can hit the coast for some relaxation.

Douro Valley - part 1

Set off early to drive the 90 miles or so around Porto (no way do you want to go into Porto with MH) and then along the picturesque Douro valley. The road heads up into the hills and then dives down to the river again numerous times giving spectacular views of the Douro and hillside villages along the way. Its cherry time and every parking area has liitle old ladies (and men) selling them at around 2euros a kilo. The vines start to appear in precipitous vine yards by the the time we reached the end of our first leg in Pego do Regua, which is also a regular stopover for the the Douro river cruises from Porto. Its not far from the N-S motorway system so a popular day trip tourist spot.

We had not seen another motorhome and got some funny looks as we drove thru the mountain villages, until we reached Regua. We found a small '4 berth' MH parking area with a Portugese MH and with a view of the river and went down to the quay for a coffee. As we walked back Rosemary spotted a convoi of 3 motorhomes heading for the parking area. Sure enough when we got back we were surrounded by 3 muttering French drivers trying to squeeze 3 MH into the 2 remaining slots! We were in the middle. We bade them 'bon jour' and they retreated, still muttering, to an adjacent car park (without a view) - YES!!! Entertained in the evening by a bus load of (happy!) day trippers singing and dancing to accordions and drum accompanyment.

Port Wine Lodges

Rather a grey day, late start but OK for visiting wine lodges. Lunch in Italian restaurant (black seafood spaggetti) and then spent a couple of hours in the Croft lodge (mosty waiting for English tour - not drinking port all that time I must hasten to add) and eventually retired with a couple of bottles of Croft Pink port (new addition). Tried others including a 20 year tawny, nice but expensive. Staggered down the hill just in time to visit the Sandeman lodge, last your in Italian(!), given by fluent young lady in cape and torriador hat. More photos to download. Bus home in the rain with 10 Swiss mh'ers from our site.

O Porto

Now we are spending the weekend in a huge Orbitur (like their 25% discount for geriatrics!) site just outside Porto. It can hold 5800 campers, but now has around 50 touring motorhomes of all nationalities from Australian to Slovian, as its main attraction is the 30min bus service to Porto. The bus journey is a white knucle trip thu windy cobbled streets with much reversing and horn pipping by crazy bus drivers to the centre of town.

Porto is constructed at an angle of 45 degrees as everything is/seems to either be up or down cobbled streets and steps. Lots of spendid old buildings from Portos rich trading past and the old part of town is a lovely riverside area and world heritage site.

In two days we are doing all the touristy things, except the site-seeing train, even taking lunch at the Cafe Majestic (tapas, cod mellon soup and a glass of Mateus Rose). Coffee on the water front, walk over the high level bridge for photo opportunities etc etc. beer and nibbles in a music bar waiting for bus. Tiring, muscle aching but most satisfying day. Its wine lodges tomorrow to seek out a bottle of Croft port for Christmas.

Coimbra

Drove up along the minor coastal road, must have been rush hour cos we saw at least 12 cars in an hour. Road deteriorated into a track thru dunes and pine forest for miles and miles (no traffic at all) before we reached the A1 north.

We spent just one night in the municiple site in order to have a longer look at the oldest university town in Portugal. Found somewhere to park, eventually, on south side of the river and walked over the bridge and up lots of steps and narrow cobbled streets to old university at the top of the town. Rosemary helped lady in internet cafe with her grammar - now understands the meaning of 'wherefore art thou Romeo' - should come in useful sometime! Looked round the old university (used to be a palace) and had some lunch with the students in refectory (bit like peoples college after senior screen) not sure whether we were supposed to - but it was cheap! I wandered into an out of the way tourist information office and was set upon by keen young lad wanting me to go to a music/craft exhibition. I think I was the only person he had spoken to all day - he needs to get out more. Coffee back in the square, found the van and headed back to the coast at Sao Jacinto near Aviero.

Sao Jacinto

This was a really out the way Orbitur site! Down a long spit of dunes, a few miles wide, with the Atlantic on one side and a huge lagoon on the other. The site was empty apart from us and a dutch couple in small caravan. The really friendly receptionist was very pleased to see someone - even gave us some flour for the squid. I spent a few hours fishing in the lagoon with bits of squid - but did not catch anything. The lagoon is fished by hundreds of traditional gondola shaped boats - needless to say fish is really plentiful and cheap! Little old ladies with barrows of fish by the roadside. We BBQ'ed some 'spinypau' or something like that - very nice.

A step north

After a weekend in the pines (and a nice fishy Sunday lunch) heading towards Porto. However its has been cool with frequent heavy showers and as the forecast for the next few days is similar we will go via Coimbra, an old university/historic town. Do a bit more culture and stay overnight in the new municipal campsite before continuing on to Aveiro where hopefully the sun will be out again. Had lots of time on the wifi and established contact with Mike to discuss rendezvous. The locals went yesterday and those in transit left early, so I guess we had better be moving too.

Sao Pedro do Moel

Weekending on a nice comfortable Orbitur group site at a small village called Sao Pedro do Moel. Its in a pine forest 1km from the sea but we can hear the surf crashing on the shore. Sao Pedro is supposed to be trendy (not enough people around to tell) but some nice litttle restaurants (maybe Sunday lunch opportunity). Its a bit grey today with a few showers, but as there is free wifi on site it is a good opportunity to catch up with emails and blog management. Interesting contemporary couple near us from UK in Hymer MH heading south with trailer. Repaired leak in mixer tap (minor flood developing in cupboard) and fitted longer mains lead to 'George Forman' grill as I forgot to bring the outside extension. Slight problem with wine - its mostly in 5L boxes - suppose will will have to drink more! BBQ some sardinas last night and had nibbles and drinks with neighbours. Its tough out here!

Sao Martyn do Porto

The site at Soa Martyn is just on the outskirts of the holiday village, right on the the big sandy bay. Ideal position, nice board walk round the bay, however it is rather open and run down and full of permanent vans. Apparenty they fill up and empty over the weekend with Lisboan's, as its not far off the motorway system. We had friendly Netherlanders for company but its Friday morning and we are off again, two nights served its purpose. The coastal weather is much fresher but just as sunny so we are off a bit further north to find an ACSI site with some shade for the weekend.

Alcobaca

The library at Batalha didn't open until 2-30pm so we missed the chance for free WiFi, will be getting withdrawal symptoms soon! Rosemary had another English paper so she is OK, especially after seeing the RBS share price. An unevenful short hop took us to our last culture stop for now, the largest gothic church in Portugal at Alcobaca and very impresssive it was too. Attached monastry was more interesting than most, not too many cloisters and with with a choral recital in one of them. Managed to order a lunch time snack in Portugese and set off in the unrelenting heat to the coast. Decided to bypass Nazare and head for a small sheltered bay on a camp site we found in the Portugal sites book.

Fatima and Batalha

Back into Fatima to take in the huge new church built at suggestion of the last Pope for winter masses. I seats 10,000 ! and was built in less than 2 years. Amazing modern concrete structure, fantastic acoustics. Catholic church not heard of credit crunch. Very enthusiatic 'church warden' explained everthing in great detail to Rosemary and Dutch lady. I took some photos ;-)

Its very hot again so had some lunch (Prego and Bifana) and set off for the old Portugese regional capital of Batalha. Had another look round the amazing massive church where many Portugese kings, including Henry the Navigator, are buried. Found the new aire for the night, overlooking the floodlit monastry/church/monument, without further incident. Identified the library building where free wi-fi is available to upload this, another tip from Ortiga gent, then off to Alcobaca before hitting the coast and hopefully lower temperatures.

Tomar

Nice couple of days at the reservoir, which turned out to cost us just 4.60 euros per night, with 5 star showers. We are doing a bit of culture stopping at aires on route. Its really hot now, 95+, according to friendly long term brit with dog, Kate, at Ortiga. Tomar has a Knights Templar castle and ruined convent on the hill over looking the old town. Interesting, but I got a bit 'cloisered out' eventually, Rosemary met Irish lady with young son to exchange views on education system and keep her happy. Parked up in market car park (potential stop over) and went walk-about to find English newspaper. Nice coffee break on hotel terrace on an island in the river, to start the paper and returned to find van surrounded by market holders lorries.

Plan B - beat hasty 'short' retreat to Fatima for the night. Bit too hasty, missed turn to the main road. But it looked like we were on the old route - at first that is, but by the time we got to a village called Chaos, literally, I decided to power up the GPS to get us to Fatima. Narrowly missed extremely old lady adjusting underwear in middle of road in tiny village and various 3 wheeled farm vehicles on the way home. Then overshot the entrance to the last camping car park and 25km and two motorway tolls later finally arrrived in Fatima, as it was getting dark.

Not to be downhearted we had a quick snack and then walked into the square to see the candle lit procession again.

Barragem de Ortiga

Barragems are reservoirs formed by dams. Portugal has lots of these and they are treated as recreational areas with sandy beaches, swimming, canoeing etc. We decided to stay at the municipal site right by the barragem at Ortiga on the River Tejo, instead of the aire at Macao, as the full price was 9 euros per night and they gave 50% discount for pensioners!! Nice small site with excellent wash room showers etc. Full of Portugese weekenders, a few Neverlanders and us. It was hot 85+ but nice breeze over the water. Unprotected single track train line to Lisbon was 50m away (elf and safety ? nao problema).

Cooked some fish for dinner on the 'Jamie' and cracked open a bottle of Vinho Verde - nice!

Decided to have a walk over the dam and a typical Sunday lunch in local restaurant! No choice - eat what you given, 3 course with coffee and more wine than you can drink for 6 euros each, excellent (thats more like it) followed by siesta and no need for dinner again! Well sardines on toast when it cooled down.

Most Portugese and scout troop left on Sunday - very peaceful now - but should be moving on!

Eventful first steps in to Portugal

Set off early (for us) and stopped at first services in Portugal for diesel. Pumps were not working, probably because diesel is 15c/litre cheaper in Spain 5km away - first mistake. In the confusion I left the filler cap on a pump - second mistake - but did not find out till an 1/2 hour later when filling up in Guarda. Decided to retrace tracks 40Km and sure enough it was still there on pump. Everyone but me knows diesel is cheaper in Spain! As it was lunch time by now we had a coffee and sandwich.

Nice drive down thru mountians to Ortiga/Macao area where we planned to stop the weekend.

Salamanca

Spent 2 nights close to Salamanca taking the bus from site entrance to the lovely old part of town. Arrived just in time to see the socialist Mayday marches - but no maypole dancing. Walked around old town and into cathedral before treating ourselves to lunch in pavement cafe just of main plaza. 30 euros for the two of us including wine and coffee and people watching - location, location, location - and no need for dinner! Bit more sight seeing and coffee (and stork watching) in square before back on the bus with German neighbours before dark. Day was sunny but nights are very cold, still plenty of snow on nearby hills and we are at 3000ft.

Palencia

Stopped in one of the newly established motorhome aires in Palencia. About 15 of mixed nationality (but we are only Brits as usual!) Its in an ideal position close to town with nice walks by the river to shopping malls and historical sites, short cut thru the park. Sat in the precinct and downed a coffee - average price so far 1.30 euros (and deisel is 83 cents/litre) so not too bad despite the exchange rate. Food generally a bit more expensive than on previous trips but a drinkable litre of wine is still 1 - 3 Euros range. Sunny and warm in Palencia - very pleasant!

Leaving for Salamanca this morniing for a couple of nights stay. It is a public holiday for May day while we are there so we may see some Spanish maypole dancing :-)

Playa Joel - Noja

Stopped in Playa Joel for just 2 nights. Wet both nights and very windy, but sunny, the day in between. Good walk in to Noja to do some shopping (good in the sense that a mile up hill is good for you) but at least its down hill on the way back. Met a couple, Ron and Margaret from Tipton, with a big old NuVenture (custom made) staying at Playa Joel for the whole of the season! Woke up to more wet weather so decided to head south without delay, thru the snowy mountains and into the sunshine.

Bay of Biscay

Left Plymouth on time and on board Pont Aven bound for Santander. Bright and breezy with a moderate swell which decreased later and turned to dull and wet. Nothing to spoil the meal and wine. We arrived on time at low water with sand banks very close - tight manouvering to get along side. So far so good.

We are off roeming again

Leaving shortly for an overnight stay near Bridgwater to break the journey to Plymouth. This will give us time to call on cousin Barbara in Oakhampton before catching the Brittany Ferry to Spain on Sunday afternoon. Planning to stop at Playa Joel in Noja for 2 or 3 nights to get acclimatised/wet before heading south to Portugal.

Summer 2009 - Portugal and Spain - North

Outbound ferry is booked to Santander on 26th April to see the parts of northern Portugal and Spain that we have missed on previous trips. A few objectives are being decided and these will shape the overall holiday.

1 Catch some fish in Portugal - sea and lake
2 Visit Fatima again
3 Buy a bottle of vintage port for Christmas at Taylors in Porto
4 Climb the 1000 steps at Bom Jesus sanctuary
5 Stand on the cliffs at Cap Finistere
6 have some 'pimientos de Padron' in Padron
7 Have a lobster dinner in A Coruna on wedding anniversary
8 Make a snow ball at Feunte De
9 Wade across to Isla from Playa Joel without getting knickers wet 8)
10 Meet Mike and Margaret
11 return home thru France before the end of June

to be continued ....

Top Lodge

Spent two days at Top Lodge with Mike and Margaret to give the vans their first trip of the year. Despite the weather forecast it was pleasant enough to enjoy a walk in the forest, try out all the systems and compile a list of things we had forgotten to pack. Looked at some of the options with Mike for the summer trip to Spain and France.

Off to Top Lodge

Just going out for a couple of days to recommission the system prior to main Holiday. Booked the ferry to Santander for 26th April with a view to doing the parts of northern Portugal and Spain which we missed last time. If the Atlantic weather hasn't settled then maybe drift over to the Mediterranean via the Pyrenees instead - we shall see. Hope to meet up with Mike and Margaret in mid May to return via western France around the end of June.

Trial blog from Netbook

Using a GPRS connection via Asda mobile on Xubuntu to see how much data is exchanged in a typical blog update using GTBlog (without checking the results). After much late night oil finally cracked how to set up everything for a MS Windows less communications using Wifi , GPRS or modem over Cellular while away this year. Just need to set EZpc up the same way now and find out how to set up GPRS with a local French/Spanish pay-as-you-go SIM!

NEC trip

Off to the show on Thursday to get some ideas

Where will 2009 take us

The maps and site guides are out so the question is where should we go.

With Euro close to a £1 and the cost travelling up 50% up on last year, maybe the question is where can we afford to go this year.

But will it be a good summer in England this year? Probably not, so I guess its off to Spain or Portugal again but perhaps not for quite so long as last time.