Our first overnight stop was in Zarautz, on the coast of northeast in the Basque country of Spain. The campsite which had alluded our GPS last year was found without difficulty this year. What a beautiful setting, overlooking the wild ocean. We had travelled almost 450 kms/ 280 miles and were happy to walk the dog then rest before we had a fairly good dinner at the restaurant.
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It was a bit blustery but this wee robin was warmly puffed up in his bright feathers The next morning was incredibly foggy and for most of the day we drifted in and out of it. It made for slow going at times but it was quite pretty in some areas as the sun tried to penetrate the mist and by the late afternoon it had succeeded.  We stayed only one other evening in Spain at Caceres-Camping. Just as we ordered dinner a couple came into the restaurant and greeted us with Bonsoir. We had seen them in their camper and knew them to be Brits, so they joined us. We discovered they were on their way to the same site in Lagos (pronounced Lagosh). Maureen and Anthony were staying one more night in Spain before spending 2 months at Lagos. We arrived at our final destination of Turiscampo, a fabulous campsite, around 3:45 having gained one hour as we crossed the border. We were met by our new friends from France, Andrea and Brian, who had been here for three weeks and were well ensconced in campsite life. Campsite life is quiet and relaxed. It is not unusual to see men and women in their housecoats after ten a.m. wandering down to the toilet block for a shower. The toilet and washing up facilities are extremely clean, modern and well thought out. There is a separate children's room and even a pet wash area! There are many dogs here and they all seem to be walked several times a day. There is a little convenience store open from 8 til 1 and the office does not close until 9. The restaurant/bar is open for lunch and dinner and on sunny afternoons the terrace over looking the pool is filled with campers enjoying a coffee or a drink. For those who love to dance, entertainment is provided on Friday and Saturday nights. The campers are friendly and we have met so many interesting folks from all over Europe. Lagos is five kilometers away. It is a pretty place set at the mouth of the Bensafrim River flowing into the Atlantic. It is a historic town that saw the launching of many naval excursions during the "Age of Discoveries": A historical period of European global exploration that started in the early 15th century.  Such beautiful, old buildings with a bit of a Moorish influence.    The Man in the Street Our Christmas Day table was shared with Andrea, Brian, Maureen and Anthony. The buffet was well stocked with very good food and we enjoyed much merriment with wine and, of course, the pulling of Christmas crackers and the wearing of paper crowns. There was an excellent band playing oldies but goodies dance music. Catering to the British campers, there was a Boxing Day lunch and so we repeated the eating, drinking and dancing. Thank goodness it was only two days of fun! One morning we and Anthony and Maureen took a car ride out to Cape St Vincent, the most southwestern point in Portugal. Its lighthouse is 24 meters (79ft) high and was built over the ruins of a 16th century convent in 1846. It guards one of the busiest shipping lanes and is among the most powerful in Europe. There is a museum with fascinating maps outlining in great detail much of the world in the 1500 and 1600's. We were in awe of the specifics within each continent. Unfortunately, but understandably, no photo taking was allowed.   1394 - 1460 Henry, the initiator of the Age of Discoveries, was born and lived in this area. This only part of the big bronze statue of him at the museum entrance. 
 The Romans considered it a magical place where the sunset was much larger than anywhere else. They believed the sun sank here hissing into the ocean, marking the edge of their world. That, of course, was when the world was flat.
(In these colors it does look enchanted!)
 Healthful fat free pomegranates and sweet oranges  Not so healthful fried donuts but most likely delicious We had been told by our friends that the drive to and the village of Monchique was worth a visit - a little town 60 kms / 37 miles north and inland. This is an area of cork trees and we have learned that a tree's cork is harvested only once every 10 years. Last year we were unaware of why the half naked tree trunks bore numbers but now we understand it is the year of that tree's stripping.  Monchique is indeed a pretty little place and we lunched al fresco in the square. Afterwards, while walking around taking in the sites Brian spotted a Caterham (Lotus Super 7) red sports car. Shortly thereafter, the owner and partner arrived so I continue sightseeing while the boys discussed motor racing. As an aside, two days later we were 40 kms/ 25miles south of Monchique, at the beachfront in Portimao and we ran into them again!   Paraphrased from Wikipedia:
Humberto Messias is an important
Portuguese surgeon and a notable native of Monchique.
He was born in Monchique, a rural village in the mountains of Algarve in 1947 when life was difficult and it would take a long time to get from Monchique to Lisbon. Today he´s the Director of the Surgery department of Ocidental Lisbon Hospitals The statue of Dr Humberto Messias is part of a set of 5 sculptures that were placed as an hommage to him as recognition from the population for friendship and dedication to his fellow citizens. Dr. Messias didn´t want to have a statue on a pedestal so he asked that his statue be represented as part of the daily life of Monchique people and that they could interact with it. Melicio, the sculptor, was invited to create this set and he decided to represent Humberto Messias seated like he was talking to the other statues around him. All sculptures are lifesize and made of Bronze and were placed in display in May 2010 It would appear, he is a humble man. This elegant and thoughtful one was placed on a wall which overlooked a park   Common throughout continental Europe are signs with the red lines through the name indicating you have left the town. Til next time Bom dia! (Good day) |
