Barragem de Ortiga

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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!


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