We've arrived in the South West of Portugal in the Algarve region, staying near Lagos. We used the autoestradas, automatically clocking up charges on our Via Verde account, so getting here was swift, if not the cheapest way. The Orbitur campsite, unlike their others we've stayed in, is old and in need of TLC ... but we find a nice pitch and chill for the remainder of the day.
We decide to do a road trip the next day, as suggested in the Michelin Green Guide, heading up to Monchique for a coffee in this town, famous in the area for its twice weekly market. When we arrive, it's a bit 'Monday sleepy' and we guess from the snack bar and restaurants that it caters for an ex-pat contingent.
From here we head westwards towards the Costa Vicentina National Park, which borders the sea with high cliffs and some sandy, windswept beaches; it's surfing country. On the westward journey we see so many stork nests...
.Even on a dull morning, the views are spectacular...
We stop on the edge of the coastal park at Aljezur, with its Arabic style old town and castle. While many old town houses are on a state of disrepair, a number are being, or have been, refurbished to a high standard.
We stop briefly at Vila do Bispo but the church, the object of the stop, is closed so we refresh ourselves in a snack bar instead.
Time is chasing us as we head for Ponta de Sagres with its old fort housing an expensive EU funded building with visual and audio visual displays focussing on Portugal's role in exploration, trade and slavery. The multimedia displays were clearly intended for an audio tour but this wasn't offered. Unfortunately the unique 43 m diameter wind compass is no more.
We finish the day with a quick visit to Cabo de São Vicente, the windswept southwest extremity of Europe. The lighthouse here is one of Europe's most powerful.
Ponta de Sagres with its multimedia building....
A day on the beach in Lagos! We drive in and only desert the large Mela beach when the wind whips up the sand in mid afternoon. In the early evening we Uber in again for a wander in the old town for a drink and a meal. How good is that!?
Personal info (rarely shared!): We were here around forty years ago, when Sue was carrying our eldest daughter, Sam. This place has, therefore, some very special memories for us.
It's changed a bit since then:
What will tomorrow bring?...
.... Another mini road trip - much shorter this time as we cover around 140km, heading, first, for the town of Silves, once an important town in the Arab Emirate of Córdoba in the 10th Century.
A nod to those times forms an attractive square...
We spend quite some time in in the town's restored castle with some stylish, sympathetic paved areas and restaurant.
From here, it's possible to see dozens of stork nest around the town.
The Cathedral in the old town has a really welcoming feel, which isn't always the case, I feel. We eat on the old town, too, although there are some nice restaurants in the new part which we miss unfortunately.
Moving on, we arrive at Albufeira, a large bustling package holiday resort, popular with the British........
Heading back 'home', we stop at Algar Seco, famous for its rock formations at the town of Carvoeiro.
A good day; might try the beach tomorrow...
But before we relax on the well known Praia da Rocha we spend an enjoyable hour or so at Ponta de Piedade to see some fascinating rock formations caused by constant erosion of the soft rock. We walk to the point from a newly constructed large car park.
Beach - 'home' - eat - take down the sun canopy - spruce up the 'van and car - blog .... then check out the route because we're off to Tavira to the east of Faro. This will be our last stop in the Algarve before we start trekking north.
I really ought to do a bit more on the car in its review tab because it's a bit of a revelation - powerful and really great to drive on these trips.
Another day, another post. See you in Tavira?
Beautiful there at the most south west point of Europe. Wild!
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