France > Spain >Portugal

February 12, 2017

It was 2C/35F when we left at 8 that morning. Our first stop – the village poubelle (trash can), then onto Spain. Much of the day was rainy.  

At end of the day, 4pm, we had traveled about 630 kms /390 miles to Burgos. Delighted by the restaurateur on our last stay at the campsite we were looking forward to a good pitch and a hot meal. 

It was still raining when Brian tried to connect to the electricity; it didn’t work. An Englishwoman told us that hers wasn’t working either, so being the nice guy he is; as campers arrived Brian used his tester on the outlets.  Not a good start. We subsequently moved to another pitch with working power.  We met an English couple at the bar and chatted with them before we went into the restaurant and had a very good dinner served by the same delightful older gentleman. As we were the only customers he was extremely attentive. After dinner, during our nightly Netflix binge, the electricity failed and so we had no heat during the night. This was a disappointing stay.

The next morning we were off and running again at 8. We had stayed at the campsite in Caceres two times before and liked it very much as each pitch has its own private toilet facilities. We had intended to eat at the restaurant but we met another English couple in the bar/eating area and before we knew it it was 8:45 and we didn’t want to eat that late. The couple has owned, for 15 years, a pub in the center of Tamworth, England. They were so sweet and very kindly gave us a homemade frozen curry and a package of rice. Special people indeed.
Rainy most of the day but as we entered Seville the sun shone and it was glorious. It was a short-lived glory though, as we left the city the grey clouds were forming ahead of us.

Near Faro airport, in Portugal, we picked up a car. It is incredibly inexpensive to rent a car here – less than €7 /day.

When we arrived at our campsite in Lagos, we were told that the only available pitches were up the hill in the back but could move after the 23rd. So be it. However, we really like this area even though it is a good walk down to the store and the common areas.  There are super clean new washing up, toilet, shower (with heated towel rail), and chemical toilet disposal facilities very close by. Also, we have quite an open view from our front window, a place to park the rental car and the WIFI is excellent up here. We set up then went to the Lidl supermarket for supplies - gorgeous vegetables and fruits and so inexpensive.  

We had arrived on St. Valentine’s Day so celebrated with 4 former friends and two new ones.

Ann and Tina; Brian's Love Note: Crepe Station; Ann and Dave; Dessert choices

Wednesday was lunch with our good friends Anthony and Maureen at Chico Ze fish restaurant and on Friday a BBQ at Tina and Dave’s pitch. They actually booked in for one more week so we could meet up again. Fabulous. 

Last autumn, Maureen and Anthony bought a house not far from the campsite. It is a beautiful Mediterranean-styled 3 bedroom, open plan home with a pool. It reminds us of the houses in Florida. 

They, being the perfect hosts, gave us and 6 other fellow campers a Sunday afternoon of feasting, drinking, and relaxing.  Hilarious stories of camping, boating, world travel and winemaking were exchanged. It was a perfect way to start (or end) the week.

I remarked that it certainly was convenient to have ‘pre-made’ friends! We are being far more socially active here than in France.

View from Anthony and Maureen's new home

Back at the campsite:

Activities  - fitball, yoga, Nordic walking, Zumba, archery, petanque (bowling), dance, and for the more cerebral - Portuguese lessons. What a choice. My first time practicing yoga outside yesterday morning was - refreshing!

It is Monday, February 20^th and tomorrow Tina and Dave heading north back to their home in Spain.  This afternoon we are meeting them, Maureen and Anthony after their dogs have had an ocean swim and frolic on the beach. Coffee and custard tarts all around!  Farewell drinks in the clubhouse this evening. We will be sorry to see them go….

February 21st:
Coffee, tea and beer at the beach yesterday.

Dave, Anthony, Jo, Maureen, Tina, Anne, Bob, and Brian

So that is our first week in already!