2017 - 2018

France>Spain>Portugal

November 29, 2017

This year we are driving by car and leaving our RV safely in the barn.

As planned we left our house in southwest rural France at 9:00 a.m.  It was -2C/28F and very misty. The mist finally dissipated two hours later and then the sun shone until around four o'clock when the rain came pouring down.

However, by the time we arrived at the hotel in Haro, Spain it was dry and windy. We had booked at Los-agustinos-hotel.  The 14th-century building had formerly been a convent, a military garrison, a military hospital, and a jail.  

After relaxing for an hour or so, around 7:00 we ventured out into the cold night in search of tapas bars only to discover they do not open till 8:30. So, back to the hotel where it was warm and welcoming. While Brian watched Foooootball in the cozy bar, I chilled on a soft couch in the glass-domed, huge inner courtyard, sipping a glass of the local Rioja, listening to Italian opera, and being completely seduced by the dynamics, and yet, the peacefulness of the space. I was surprised/tickled when bartender Fernando brought to me my very own bowl of bar snacks - I thought I was being quietly invisible in that dimly lit space. First-class and attentive service; it is rare these days. Later, Brian and I enjoyed omelets a little after 8:30, 'cos that is when the kitchen finally opened...The Spanish prefer to eat late - as late as 11:00. 

Massive lanterns

Everything about our stay at Hotel Los Agustinos was top notch - the staff, our room, the ambiance and the attention to detail; but mainly and especially, we have been touched by this building's soul - it lives on in its new role, accommodating and welcoming its guests in style and we hope we will have the opportunity to stay there again.

Interesting lights, Inner Courtyard

The next afternoon we arrived in  Evora, Portugal.  I had wanted to stay here as there is a very good replica of a Greek temple and other sites.

Wouldn't you know it - it is under repairs and under mesh sheeting.

It is a lovely little town with cobbled streets, churches, old houses, and street art! We stayed inside the old city walls in a very modern hotel called Moov. The breakfast room had a commercial orange juicer. The oranges dropped in at the top, traveled in a circle to a blade that halved them, and then they were squished into juice.  Delicious. We walked streets, most decorated for Christmas, stopped for a coffee, took in the sights. Highly enjoyable.

From there it was an easy jaunt to our destination. Well, it would have been if we hadn't missed a turn the GPS neglected to tell us about. We ended up in Cuba (who knew) but it was lovely scenery and we weren't pressed for time. Of course, Brian has a different take on 'getting lost'; he doesn't view it as an opportunity, he views it as a bloody nuisance.  

We had rented a small one-bedroom in Praia da Luz in the southwest of Portugal. We met the German owners who imparted information about our new digs and the idiosyncrasies of the electrical system. Unfortunately for me, we forgot, and one morning Brian had the kettle and microwave on at the same time as I was shampooing my hair in the shower - Darkness fell! Coldwater fell! Brian quickly flipped the fuses; we didn't make that mistake again!  The building was constructed in 1997 and the electrics have not been upgraded. We have come to learn: This is not unusual in Portugal.

Bedroom with Seaview

The view was amazing!  

Yes, there are buildings in the foreground but the eye naturally is drawn to the ocean and the horizon.

For the next two months, we enjoyed every sunrise and sunset and everything in between. 

Most times the sunset was reflected into the south, as in this photo. 

December 1st sunset

Salema beach

There are many small villages along the south coast. This one is the fishing village of Salema. As expected when free fish is to be found, there were many cats roaming the streets. What intrigued us most was the one cat that lay unconcerned, in the middle of the road, and the cars had to go around it! Obviously, the felines are well like and well-fed, and colored to blend in with the surrounding rocks.

We do enjoy going to the Saturday morning market in Lagos. All sorts of products and produce, fresh from the farms. Honey, eggs, cakes, olives, bread, chili peppers, flowers, and live chickens are just a few of the offerings besides the usual vegetables and citrus fruits.

                                                                  Not far down on the main street is the fish market.

Heads and all!

That's it for now, will write more later.

Até breve  (see you later)!

l