São Pedro de Moel

Inching towards Lisbon, a short trip of around 90km with the 'van brings us to the coastal town of São Pedro de Moel which has a campsite that's a great base for exploring Sue's well researched sites of interest. It's so good that we've decided to stay for three nights. 

We've been exploring some fascinating stuff- so more to come.... But Vinho Verde calls - desculpe...

.............

Normal service resumes.... So:

After arriving at this excellent Orbitur site, we pitch the 'van on the sloping pitch and head off to Nazaré, a coastal holiday town full of holidaying Portuguese - but all the better for that. We ride the funicular to the upper town where street vendors hopefully display their (mostly attractive) goods then walk down to the point which is a world renowned surfing area. 

Apparently, Atlantic waves from each side of the cliffs diffract around the point and interfere constructively which, with the right conditions, can produce waves of up to 30m. Terrifying. We  watch videos of surfers on these waves which, to me looks almost suicidal. There's a brilliant centre here explaining all this in detail and the analysis and impact of the deep ocean trench at this point. 

Anyway, before heading back we lighten up and eat a traditional Portuguese meal of pork and clams....

Monday arrives and, after an unusually long deep sleep for me (at leat that's what my smartwatch tells me), duly rested, we head off to Tomar a historic town which is home to the Convento de Christo, originally constructed by the Knights Templar. Wonderful. Just look at this call to prayer horn..

Heading back to base we spend time exploring the Mosteiro da Batalha, its architecture renowned as an example of Portuguese Gothic art. There is so much history in this small country. 

Tuesday sees us having a restful day in our 'home town' of São Pedro de Moel, walking to the lighthouse. It's warm and so, for the first time on this trip, we cook and eat outside - the (new) cooking machine working a treat.

We keep extending our stay here but Wednesday is set to be the last day as we head out to see one of the most beautiful and renowned Cistercian abbeys, Mosteiro de Santa Maria, at Alcobaça. Fascinating.

Finally we head to the medieval city of Óbidos, protected by a massive perimeter wall... We walk the somewhat terrifying perimeter ramparts, with no barriers between us and a somewhat lengthy drop to oblivion. 

It's a beautiful place to spend a couple of hours though, with plenty of nice street restaurants, and historic buildings. Even the many gift shops don't detract.

....well it's not quite finally because there's Lidl to visit and also BP to fuel the car with a present of 98 octane petrol as we're towing again. So we do all that and now it's time to think about our next destination. That'll be Guincho, not so far from Lisbon; see you there, then, all being well.