Back on the road - Northern Spain/Portugal beckon

[Dutch 68]

Yep - Sorry, didn't spot that.

Beautiful town but forever remembered as where I fell ill with covid mark 1 unfortunately

 

[VXman]

Beautiful town but forever remembered as where I fell ill with covid mark 1 unfortunately

 

[VXman]

One of my favourite finds so far has been the hilltop town of Monsanto. Apparently used as a film location for House of the Dragon (prequel to Game of Thrones). A lot of the houses are built out of and into the boulders that are strewn in this hilly region.

We stayed the night in the Square of another village just below Monsanto. The guy whose house we parked outside of came over - not to complain but to offer us a dozen free lemons! Locals are so friendly and welcoming!

Also met a lovely Portuguese lady with excellent English who gave us some excellent tips on places to visit.

 

[VXman]

The next day we moved on in a southerly direction. The weather is getting warmer. Popped into Idaha a Velha, a small history village with a lot of Roman remains. There we were given a guided tour by a local dog.

Strange these places. They are specifically set up and maintained as tourist attractions with clearly a lot on money invested in restoration, buildings and staff and yet completely free

¯\(ツ)/¯​

 

[jumartoo]

One of my favourite finds so far has been the hilltop town of Monsanto. Apparently used as a film location for House of the Dragon (prequel to Game of Thrones). A lot of the houses are built out of and into the boulders that are strewn in this hilly region.

We stayed the night in the Square of another village just below Monsanto. The guy whose house we parked outside of came over - not to complain but to offer us a dozen free lemons! Locals are so friendly and welcoming!

Also met a lovely Portuguese lady with excellent English who gave us some excellent tips on places to visit.
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We ran in an orienteering competition at Monsanto. It was very interesting, not least because it started to rain and running on the cobbles was tricky.

We really need to have a trip back to Portugal to meet up with some of the friends we met through the competitions.

Thanks for bringing back a lovely memory.

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[VXman]

From IIdaha a Velha we popped into Castelo Branco where we had a little wander and visited the Jardim do Paco Episcopal. This is hailed as the best gardens in Portugal. Well if they are it's a little disappointing but they were lovely in their own right. Basically hedges and lots of statues of bishops and other important folk.

 

[VXman]

After this we travelled to a parking spot near the river in Vila Velha de Rodao. It's on the river Tagus - the longest river in Spain/Portugal. Starts west of Madrid and enters the sea at Lisbon. Lovely little spot. Met an Irish man how has been living here since November in a beat up little caravan. There was also a Norwegian in a little caravan who had been here all winter. The Irish man lives in Sweden and just works there 6 months a year and then comes down here to escape the cold is Sweden.

Had a pleasant night here. Chilled for a while watching the school kids take canoeing lessons and council workers weeding the flower beds! I do like chilling and watching real life sometimes.

A lovely little cat tried to stow away with us. I think she was trying to escape her responsibilities of her six 1 week old kittens which were born in the Irish mans caravan!

 

[jennywren]

Brilliant day to day account and Great photos. Love the simple photo of the lemons and mug. Where is the 12th lemon though? Was it used in a crafty G&T, disguised as a mug of coffee?

We are headed that way later this year. Ferry to Dieppe and ferry back from Santader. Have visited many of the places several times but not in the van as we usually spend our summers somewhere in Skandi, mostly Sweden. Thought we would go south instead so your account has been great help, thanks. We are staying at a friend's house in the Ardeche for a week en route and also a week in an old cottage in Pido (Picos de Europa) so not 'roughing' it every night!

It was interesting to learn that San Sebastion comes with many good reviews. Did not appreciate that before so will make sure we give it some time, also Burgos.

Anyway, enjoy rest of the trip and safe travels. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jennywren]

We ran in an orienteering competition at Monsanto. It was very interesting, not least because it started to rain and running on the cobbles was tricky.

We really need to have a trip back to Portugal to meet up with some of the friends we met through the competitions.

Thanks for bringing back a lovely memory.

We also ran in the same event. About 10 years ago was it? Infact, we have done the POM events many times as well as the training camps. This is the main reason we have got to know Portugal so we'll, and love it so much.

Best wishes

 

[Jane NotRog]

Lovely thread and great photos, thanks!

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[jumartoo]

We also ran in the same event. About 10 years ago was it? Infact, we have done the POM events many times as well as the training camps. This is the main reason we have got to know Portugal so we'll, and love it so much.

Best wishes

Well, small world isn't it. We helped at the World Masters in Portugal in 2008 for three weeks. We've done lots of POM's also.

Sorry for thread drift.