Portugal Archives - Page 3 of 3

Dog Friendly Portugal

So Ferra-good-o! – Ferragudo

July 3, 2018Lorraine Stokes4 min read

30/06/18 – 3/07/18 – Ferragudo & Portimão, Algarve We spent 2 very relaxing days in Ferragudo, a little fishing village popular with tourists but not so touristy that it was obvious or unspoilt. It’s easy to think you’re in Portimão (where we had intended to be), as it’s just opposite on the other side of the estuary. This was actually a case of serendipity, as Ferroguda was so much nicer. Alongside lots of other campers, we parked literally a couple of steps away from the beach. Guess what too….it was freeee!! Also it was our first experience of a dog tolerant beach in Portugal, so Marley was in his element and so were we in seeing his energy levels lift when he leaped about on the sand. There were plenty of other dogs doing the same including Marley’s cute little friend who followed him around for at least an hour. They were such a great match, we even contemplated taking him with us as his owner was nowhere to be seen. Of course we would never really do this...

Portugal

The Moho-Mojo – Falésia

July 1, 2018Dan5 min read

29/06/18 – 01/07/18 Falésia & Benagil Leaving Estoi, we were starting to miss being on or close to a beach, so our next stop (Thanks to searchforsites) would be on Falesia beach midway between Faro and Portimão. We had read about a couple of Moho sites in the town, but thought we would chance the free overnight stop directly next to the beach. We passed both sites on the drive in and soon afterwards the road changed from tarmac, to dirt track….roads in Portugal are pretty terrible but this was extra bumpy and dusty but we decided to persevere anyway. So, about a mile or so later and having a few fillings rattled out in the process, we arrived at the overnight stop on a section of the beach called Praia dos Tomates. (Perhaps because of the colour of the cliffs facing it). The carpark is now under private ownership, so we paid our €2.50 for the rest of the day and half expected we would get moved on at 19:30. There was only one other Moho on the land the other side of...

Portugal

Faro-tastic!

June 29, 2018Lorraine Stokes4 min read

28/06/18 -29/06/18 – Faro – Algarve We stayed in a magical place tonight….a car park just over the road from the airport. A massive well laid out car park with a bit of greenery, which overlooks the Ria Formosa estuary. It was very exciting hearing the planes take off followed by the sheer intensity of the noise and size as they went over our heads, then disappeared into the sunset. Great entertainment for the evening so long as you’re a heavy sleeper…I’m not!! Luckily they didn’t fly all night though. Over the estuary bridge is Faro beach and a carpark where you can park your camper in the low season. They fortunately have a toilet block which was handy since our toilet in the van was full…eeeew. Yes this is one of the joys of motor homing, the fun of finding service area to dump it, and the actual process, well you can use your imagination. It’s quite a grim job but you get used to it. Dan and I take turns to make it more manageable, and fair. You very...

Drinks Food Portugal Vegetarian

Happy Birthday to Me!

June 28, 2018Dan3 min read

27/07/18 – 28/06/18 – Tavira We were up early as we had the Moho booked in for some investigatory works on why the batteries didn’t seem to be charging, this gave us time to appreciate the area in the calmness of the early morning. Waking up with sea views never gets tiring, particularly when they are as beautiful as the ones here. By choice, I wouldn’t have booked the van in on my Birthday, but as it was the only slot they had for the next couple of weeks, we thought we had better take it. So off we trundled to Camperserv to get it checked out. We had a 10:00 slot, but due to being a member of staff down, we didn’t get seen until closer to 15:00. That didnt stop us going for a Birthday beer at a roadside cafe/restaurant. Lorraine and I were dubious at first, as at it looked a little run-down and untidy, we were the only people in there (it was only 11:00 though) but by lunchtime, the place started to fill up with locals. We both had our first taste of...

Portugal

Bom Dia Portugal – original post title!!

June 27, 2018Lorraine Stokes2 min read

26/06/18 – 27/06/18 – Cacela Velha / Ria Formosa – Algarve Our first Portuguese destination was the cute little town of Cacela Velha in Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve – just a short drive from the border. The town overlooks the easternmost lagoon of the Ria Formosa, and it has two cafes, both of which were very busy while we were there. About a 1km along the coast further into Portugal is the more populated Fabrica beach. We stayed one night on a grassy field in front of a car park that had a great view of the lagoon. Although it stated no autocaravanas we decided to chance it and park up anyway! Getting cocky now, as we were the only ones there on arrival. Over the next few hours we were joined by several other Mohos and campers. Throughout the day as the water went out we enjoyed the changing shapes and beauty of the lagoon. I took a walk via from one beach to the other, and kept on walking into Fabrica town. I was trying to find a birthday present for...