Beech's 1st moho adventure

[Podney]

Super pics!
I think they might do gas at the intermarche at Sagres,but not sure. You’ve probably already thought of that.
The campsite you’re in seems ideal. Have you visited Guadalupe on the way to Lagos on the 125? Worth popping into.
Sleeting here at the moment and snow elsewhere!

 

[Helen Ariel]

Super pics!
I think they might do gas at the intermarche at Sagres,but not sure. You’ve probably already thought of that.
The campsite you’re in seems ideal. Have you visited Guadalupe on the way to Lagos on the 125? Worth popping into.
Sleeting here at the moment and snow elsewhere!

No not been there. What's there? Nearest Gas is in Lagos. We're on our way now and it's strong wind and rain. Love the campsite we're on a good place to stay for Christmas.

 

[Podney]

No not been there. What's there? Nearest Gas is in Lagos. We're on our way now and it's strong wind and rain. Love the campsite we're on a good place to stay for Christmas.

You can’t miss the sign on the left as you go east.

Its a museum and church,opened by old ladies who appear from nowhere to open up. Easy parking.
It might be open this time of year,not sure. Or try on return journey.

 

[Helen Ariel]

So we've had a slightly dull week as the weather has been very changeable, cooler with some showers most days and there has been no good surf either so lot's of eating instead as is the tradition of the time of year.

We've had a couple of meals out with friends and some lovely ones at home (beetroot and coconut curry, chicken and black bean enchiladas and chicken and vegetable pie).

Today dawned grey and drizzling which fitted the mood for attending Grandma's funeral on zoom and our mood was rather somber afterwards but we had a message from friends saying that the surf was finally working again at Tonel so we pulled ourselves together and the sun burst out of the clouds for a glorious couple of hours in the ocean with lots of smiles.

Sadly Paris and Georgette our new friends are returning home to Switzerland tomorrow so we decided to go out for a farewell dinner and tried out a spot I'd liked the look of called 3 birds, a burger and taco place with craft beer and a nice atmosphere. It felt like being back in Brighton with prices to match but was a nice change from the very basic Portuguese cuisine of grilled fish/meat.

We're rarely out after dark these days so it was nice to see the Christmas display in town.

Tomorrow we are off on a mini trip as the inter regional travel restrictions that have been in place for the last two 4 day weekends are over.

We are going to visit Fuesta further into the Algarve and stay overnight for a day or 2. We need to pick up some medication for Beech and do a few bits of shopping in Lagos on the way anyway so it will be a nice change of scene hopefully.

 

[Helen Ariel]

So back on the road for a mini trip after 7 weeks in Sagres!

It was another wet and windy morning when we left yesterday for the drive to Fuseta. We stopped at the vets in Lagos to restock with Beech's medicines. A very easy process with a British vet, no consultation or prescriptions required.

We had a park 4 night spot lined up near to Fuseta and the light was beautiful when we arrived and went for a little walk around the estuary.

It was lovely to have a new seaside view from the bedroom after so long static.

DH cooked up his speciality pancetta and pumpkin risotto and we had a pretty quiet night apart from the dog barking at something in the middle of the night.

We had a slow start to the morning as it was overcast and forecast to be so all day and I busied myself with some inside van cleaning chores whilst DH and Beech went for a stroll and then the skies suddenly cleared up nicely so we drove the 5 minutes on into Fuseta, a lovely little fishing town surrounded by water and the home of many small fishing boats and water taxi's that do tours over to the island.

Is it weird that I love old, peeling doors?

There were lot's of different types of restaurants, cafés and bars we liked the look of but we settled on a simple fish restaurant with outdoor grill for a lunch and the sun felt beautifully warm again after a mixed couple of weeks weather.

We had tuna belly which was almost raw in the middle (just how we like it) and a beautifully cooked sole (that was full of roe which Beech enjoyed)

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[Just smiffy]

So back on the road for a mini trip after 7 weeks in Sagres!

Is it that long..! Doesn’t time fly...
There is quite a following of old doors on this forum so keep the pictures coming..

 

[Langtoftlad]

Is it weird that I love old, peeling doors

No, apparently not, there's a few funsters who like a well proportioned door... eh
Robert Clark Anthea M ???

 

[Helen Ariel]

No, apparently not, there's a few funsters who like a well proportioned door... eh
Robert Clark Anthea M ???

Oh well glad I'm not the only one! There is no shortage of abandoned buildings here so I should be able to find more doors.

 

[Hirsch]

Aren't well proportioned doors brilliant!

(Thanks to Paul Whitehouse)

 

[Helen Ariel]

Another lovely day in Fuseta where we stayed right by the water along with about 8 other vans. Bit of noise from kids on motorbikes later on, and some dog barking this morning were the only complaints but it was Friday night so we’ll let them off.
Nice to wake up to clearing skies after the mixed weather we’ve had in Sagres lately, so we decided to follow a route from Wikiloc around the salt pans over the river from Fuseta.

Came across a lovely big statue of a cod fisherman in the middle of a roundabout. It’s definitely a great place if you like fish! Loads of history & character here.

Couple more pics from the harbour. We had to walk about 3 miles to get to the other bank that you see in the pic above!

We saw more flamingos! Mad looking birds. We also saw more storks, cormorants, loads of little wading birds as well as a beautiful kingfisher!

It was about 23c and felt a bit muggy so had to cool down when we could... even though we know we shouldn’t...

Cam across a stunning new building. Looked like it might be a holiday let, but no signs to indicate. It was immaculate and in a fantastic spot facing Fuseta harbour.

Looking back towards where the van was parked. Only another 3 miles, or a 1 minute swim! Maybe another time...

Another chance to cool off and get clean at the same time!

With a pitstop on our way home to Sagres for some suckling pig rolls at one of the numerous restaurants we spotted on our outbound leg that seem to specialise in it. This place had great reviews and sold nothing but roast pork dishes - only about 6 in total! It was fantastic. Succulent pork & crispy cracking with homemade crisps.

Once we got back to the campsite our neighbours told us it had rained for the three days we’d been gone. Made our little road trip seem even more of a good idea!

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[Langtoftlad]

Beech knows he's in so much trouble...

...but luckily the later swim saved his ass

 

[KiwiKampers]

You seem to like old peeling boats as much as you like old peeling doors!
Both are great subjects for photographs.
Keep up the good work.

 

[James-Alex]

Still look forward to reading about your adventures and seeing your pictures. Hope all is well! Have a funny feeling beech will have been good this year and getting a nice present from the big man

 

[Helen Ariel]

She was filthy when she stood up.

 

[Helen Ariel]

Beech knows he's in so much trouble...

...but luckily the later swim saved his ass

And she was told in no uncertain terms not to go in the puddle on the return leg of the walk.

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[Val 3 dogs]

Hoomans can be soo mean!

 

[Helen Ariel]

Well a week seems to pass by so quickly here. I guess not having much structure to our days they do somewhat blur one into another.

We've had slightly better weather with a few bright but cooler days and have mainly been going for nice beach walks at low tide and checking different places for surf as the conditions haven't been ideal.

We had a lovely walk on the wild West coast with our friend Sam followed by coffee on the cliffs one morning.

Yesterday afternoon we spent several hours sitting listening to music on the beach and watching the surfers as the sun dropped into the sea behind them. I don't think I could ever get tired of that view.

Today it's back to pouring with rain! So a lazy day mainly although a solo female traveller is arriving at the campsite at some point today who posted on a Facebook group looking for people to meet up with on her journey through Portugal so we may go for a walk and show her around Sagres as it's due to brighten up this afternoon.

Thankfully it looks like we have a dry spell coming for Christmas which I'm pleased about as cooking my 1st Christmas dinner in the van will be a challenge with only one shelf in the oven so I want to use the webber bbq to do the chicken leaving the oven free for spuds. Pigs in blankets and stuffing will be done earlier in the day and can warm in the bottom of the oven

We shall miss seeing all our friends and family very much but i suppose it's for the best as we wouldn't have been able to do too much visiting anyway and it would have been fraught with worries about spreading covid.

I just hope everyone back home can find their own little moments of joy this Christmas and beyond into a New Year x

 

[Mikey RV]

We don’t really do Xmas but thats my idea of Xmas right there in them pics. Sun and surf And a beer on the beach. Last year we were at Pembury in South Wales. We walked down the beach and saw a big log that had drifted in, I said to Nikki that is where I am going to sit Xmas day and have a beer. So that’s what we did.

 

[Helen Ariel]

We don’t really do Xmas but thats my idea of Xmas right there in them pics. Sun and surf And a beer on the beach. Last year we were at Pembury in South Wales. We walked down the beach and saw a big log that had drifted in, I said to Nikki that is where I am going to sit Xmas day and have a beer. So that’s what we did.
View attachment 449819

Sounds like my mum. She stopped doing Christmas once i left home and now does a walk and sandwiches. I love doing the food part and Christmas lights do brighten up a dull uk winter day but don't bother with presents or big gatherings.

 

[marion saunde]

Lovely pix and messages. Glad Im famous. Turkey wiv Jill Xmas day,only day we are allowed. Beef sarnies on Cuckoo trail boxing day lol Mary and motherx

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[Podney]

Lovely pix and messages. Glad Im famous. Turkey wiv Jill Xmas day,only day we are allowed. Beef sarnies on Cuckoo trail boxing day lol Mary and motherx

Not just famous Mum,now you’re very very famous......this is Motorhome Fun.......you could go viral

 

[Helen Ariel]

Lovely pix and messages. Glad Im famous. Turkey wiv Jill Xmas day,only day we are allowed. Beef sarnies on Cuckoo trail boxing day lol Mary and motherx

You managed to sign up on here! Your IT skills are progressing Mum xxx

 

[Helen Ariel]

Happy Christmas everyone!

We've had a nice week of beach walks, surfs and a couple of meals out.

Yesterday we headed to Lagos to get gas and stopped off at a couple of new beaches we've not visited before. 1st stop was Praia de Luz the most resorty type place we've visited so far but a lovely little bay with a promenade with cafes and restaurants along it. Where most people seemed to be British and there were cream teas being advertised and we were subjected to hearing our 1st Christmas pop music. Coffee and a cake for 2.50 though so not all bad!

Then we headed to Lagos and did a spot of shopping and had amazing all you can eat sushi.

Finally we stopped off to check out Praia de Mos as a potential surf spot our friend Sam recommended for a more relaxed surf than you can get in Sagres and it's a beautiful long stretch of coast so I'm keen to revisit that soon.

Tomorrow I'm planning a simple smoked salmon and cream cheese muffin for Christmas breakfast over looking Mareta beach and then back to camp for a day of cooking, feasting, drinking and maybe a Christmas film or two.

Have a lovely time all x

 

[Podney]

View attachment 450960
Happy Christmas everyone!

We've had a nice week of beach walks, surfs and a couple of meals out.
View attachment 450966View attachment 450967
Yesterday we headed to Lagos to get gas and stopped off at a couple of new beaches we've not visited before. 1st stop was Praia de Luz the most resorty type place we've visited so far but a lovely little bay with a promenade with cafes and restaurants along it. Where most people seemed to be British and there were cream teas being advertised and we were subjected to hearing our 1st Christmas pop music. Coffee and a cake for 2.50 though so not all bad!
View attachment 450961View attachment 450962View attachment 450963

Then we headed to Lagos and did a spot of shopping and had amazing all you can eat sushi.

View attachment 450964
Finally we stopped off to check out Praia de Mos as a potential surf spot our friend Sam recommended for a more relaxed surf than you can get in Sagres and it's a beautiful long stretch of coast so I'm keen to revisit that soon.
View attachment 450965

Tomorrow I'm planning a simple smoked salmon and cream cheese muffin for Christmas breakfast over looking Mareta beach and then back to camp for a day of cooking, feasting, drinking and maybe a Christmas film or two.

Have a lovely time all x

Ooooooh,I’m green with envy! Praia Porto de Mos is my favourite “everyday” walk when we are in Lagos. Enjoy!

 

[Helen Ariel]

Ooooooh,I’m green with envy! Praia Porto de Mos is my favourite “everyday” walk when we are in Lagos. Enjoy!

Yes it's a really nice looking stretch that I'd like to explore more at low tide.

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[Helen Ariel]

Well what a lovely, relaxing day. I must say i quite like Christmas day just DH and the dog. Much less hectic than cooking for lots of people and so i probably enjoyed my dinner more than normal as I hadn't been rushing round a hot kitchen all day.
A simple, light breakfast over looking the sea then a short walk along the cliffs.

Back to camp to make stuffing and pigs in blankets to reheat later then a few family facetimes reduced the feeling of being so far away with calls to Northern Ireland, Australia, Scotland and England and a background of Radio 4 helped to dispel any feelings of homesickness.

Chicken popped in the bbq and spuds in duck fat in the oven, sprouts with bacon and chestnuts that we foraged, gravy with cider and the giblets and blood from the chicken (whole chickens come with everything here, head, feet, packet of blood and offal so nothing wasted as Beech will happy chomp the feet up raw)

A constitutional walk round the campsite to aide digestion and the rest of the day we'll be tucked up with booze, pudding (made Jamie's Christmas crumble yesterday) and Die Hard on the TV. I hope you've all had a good one.

 

[KiwiKampers]

How do you three manage to fit so much into your days? It would have taken me all day just to make the breakfast! Somehow you manage to eat restaurant-style food, keep slim, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I admire you.
I also couldn’t help but notice how tidy you keep your motorhome and al fresco dining area.
You are an example to us all and I’ve really enjoyed your postings. Thank you.

 

[Helen Ariel]

How do you three manage to fit so much into your days? It would have taken me all day just to make the breakfast! Somehow you manage to eat restaurant-style food, keep slim, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I admire you.
I also couldn’t help but notice how tidy you keep your motorhome and al fresco dining area.
You are an example to us all and I’ve really enjoyed your postings. Thank you.

Ahh thankyou. I do love to cook so it's more of a hobby than a chore and i may be a bit ocd about sweeping the mat outside the van but as I'm used to working full-time i do like to keep busy plus Beech keeps us fit as i can't resist her guilt trip eyes telling me to go for a walk twice a day. I hope you had a nice day x

 

[Just smiffy]

Merry Christmas... hope you’ve had a good day...

 

[Helen Ariel]

Beech is definitely preferring the winter weather here and I think it helps her arthritis it not being so cold and damp and less chance of an injury not constantly walking in slippy, sloppy mud.

This is the calmest I've seen the sea on the West Coast and the light is just gorgeous today.

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