Birds, beer and BBQs...in Spain and Portugal

[Gonestravaiging]

Walked from our hilltop campsite yesterday through eucalyptus groves, olive trees and bamboo to the village of Penela and its hilltop castle. As it was a Sunday everything was closed apart from one excellent restaurant...which was fully booked. Never mind, there was a different 40 minute route on the way back.

View from the castle ramparts towards Uxa Paraiso (Oh Paradise) campsite, marked by the arrow.

The view back to the castle from the vineyards near our van.

Left the hills today to drive to the excellent Vaga Splash campsite/aire outside Aveiro. The site has no shade, but it is right behind the sand dunes on a stunning beach. It also happens to be right behind a brilliant beach bar which was playing suitably surfy music and was manned by a very cool, dreadlocked dude who gave a double thumbs up and a smile to every comment and request for a beer.

The busy beach in front of the aire.

The boardwalk leading to the edge of Aveiro.

Searching for shade when the awning won't provide it.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Lots of colour today on a visit to Aveiro and its canals. Our multi-lingual guide was a lively performer and at least as entertaining as the 45 minute canal cruise on an converted salt-carrying boat.

Lunch in Aveiro was followed by a brief stop at the colourful striped houses of Costa Nova which were once used by fishermen to store their nets.

Maybe Porto next. Tried to photograph flamingoes today but the results weren't great. Missing the birdlife of central Spain.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Now in beautiful and very busy Porto, which has a stunning waterfront on the River Douro and lots of fantastic port houses to visit. We chose Sandeman (Scottish connection as it turns out) for an excellent tour and tasting, and spent the rest of the day wandering the city's steep cobbled streets, visiting the cathedral, the brilliant food market and trying out the expensive, but impressive, Cafe Majestic.

Tried to get into the Orbitur campsite on the beach when we were arrived but were turned away and ended up at a great spot at the Parque Biologica do Gaia, which does what it says on the tin, and has nine completely enclosed motorhome pitches behind a locked gate. The 19 euro a night price include access to the park and its plants and animals.

On a separate note I'm not sure whether to carry on with this travel thread! I may just be speaking to myself!

 

[Borisski]

Just discovered this thread and am really enjoying it, please continue.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Just discovered this thread and am really enjoying it, please continue.

Thanks for the message, much appreciated!

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[The Happy Hooker]

On a separate note I'm not sure whether to carry on with this travel thread! I may just be speaking to myself!

I've just discovered this thread too and am finding it very interesting. We are crossing from Spain to Portugal tomorrow and picking up lots of tips from you. Thank you.

 

[Lenny HB]

On a separate note I'm not sure whether to carry on with this travel thread! I may just be speaking to myself!

Keep going a lot of people look at travel treads but don't bother to give a "like" you find this a lot with newer members.
I've met Funsters on my travels who have said we love following your travels but they have never made any response on the threads.

Also you tend to build up a following and members look out for your threads.

 

[Hickory]

Now in beautiful and very busy Porto, which has a stunning waterfront on the River Douro and lots of fantastic port houses to visit. We chose Sandeman (Scottish connection as it turns out) for an excellent tour and tasting, and spent the rest of the day wandering the city's steep cobbled streets, visiting the cathedral, the brilliant food market and trying out the expensive, but impressive, Cafe Majestic.

Tried to get into the Orbitur campsite on the beach when we were arrived but were turned away and ended up at a great spot at the Parque Biologica do Gaia, which does what it says on the tin, and has nine completely enclosed motorhome pitches behind a locked gate. The 19 euro a night price include access to the park and its plants and animals.

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On a separate note I'm not sure whether to carry on with this travel thread! I may just be speaking to myself!

Really enjoying your writing and photos. We are off to Portugal in September, I had planned our route and campsites. Complete opposite of winging it! I can see some detours happening after reading your posts. Definitely starting my list for next time.

 

[jumartoo]

Now in beautiful and very busy Porto, which has a stunning waterfront on the River Douro and lots of fantastic port houses to visit. We chose Sandeman (Scottish connection as it turns out) for an excellent tour and tasting, and spent the rest of the day wandering the city's steep cobbled streets, visiting the cathedral, the brilliant food market and trying out the expensive, but impressive, Cafe Majestic.

Tried to get into the Orbitur campsite on the beach when we were arrived but were turned away and ended up at a great spot at the Parque Biologica do Gaia, which does what it says on the tin, and has nine completely enclosed motorhome pitches behind a locked gate. The 19 euro a night price include access to the park and its plants and animals.

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On a separate note I'm not sure whether to carry on with this travel thread! I may just be speaking to myself!

No you're not. I'm reading and now commenting. I've said the same thing on my threads in the past, so I really should comment more. Just a few words of encouragement are all that's needed.

I'm more interested when you go back into Spain though, as nice as Portugal is.

 

[Landy Andy]

Many, including myself, like to read these type of threads but don’t have anything constructive to add, and don’t want the topic to drift to chit chat like so many on here. We just read and enjoy.

Thank you.

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[Jane And Rog]

Also finding this very interesting - please continue. We visited Sandeman in Porto too and loved our tour.

 

[DBK]

Even if you are writing it only for yourself that's no reason to stop.

What you'll find is in a year or two when the details of the trip are fading in your mind you can look up this thread and re-live the journey. I do that with my trip reports from time to time. It can brighten up a damp day in winter looking again at the sunshine.

 

[Norfolk Nige]

Many, including myself, like to read these type of threads but don’t have anything constructive to add, and don’t want the topic to drift to chit chat like so many on here. We just read and enjoy.

Thank you.

I echo that. Really enjoying the thread Gonestravaiging

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Keep going a lot of people look at travel treads but don't bother to give a "like" you find this a lot with newer members.
I've met Funsters on my travels who have said we love following your travels but they have never made any response on the threads.

Also you tend to build up a following and members look out for your threads.

Cheers Lenny. Will do.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Really enjoying your writing and photos. We are off to Portugal in September, I had planned our route and campsites. Complete opposite of winging it! I can see some detours happening after reading your posts. Definitely starting my list for next time.

Thanks, you'll love it.

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[bellabee]

I'm another who has just discovered this thread.
Really enjoying your writing and the pictures.
Thanks for making the effort. We haven't done much of Portugal yet and you're giving me some good tips

 

[Just smiffy]

I’m having terrible weather in France and going into Italy sooner or later and envious of your weather but I want to do something different as I’ve done Spain/Portugal a few times and I’ll be doing it again for the winter but I’m really tempted to turn right instead of left in a few days….

 

[Jimbo50]

Keep it going as enjoying every moment of your thread. Leaving Plymouth on 21/05/23 to Santander. May even attempt a reverse drive of your journey making use of your and other Funsters experiences

 

[Kurt and Ko]

Thanks for posting about your trip, I have really enjoyed your fabulous photos and commentary. Cheers, Jane

 

[lorger]

Please keep posting, although my writing style isn’t quite as good I always post about our trips, I personally wish more would as it is a MH forum after all

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[Gonestravaiging]

Wow, thanks everyone for the messages of encouragement! It's fantastic to hear from you.



I'm very happy to keep the thread going, although we only have 10 days left. Catching the ferry home on the 22nd.
After a couple of fantastic days in vibrant Porto we moved north to our second Dutch-owned campsite in Portugal. What can I say?
It's in a place called Arco de Baulhe, an ordinary village in the midst of beautiful hills and forests and it is indeed owned by a Dutchman. He's a sort of grumpy, goatee-wearing Dutch version of Ray Winstone. Rough, tough and pretty gruff. He may have the demeanour of a retired safe cracker, but he's no sexy beast.
He does, however, make good food. We had his excellent stew on our first night!
It's an odd place. He leads everyone into the campsite, and drives in all the caravans and bigger motorhomes himself.
The entrance is via a very narrow, steep and twisty road. How he gets caravans down it I don't know, but he takes people in and he takes them out. It wouldn't get planning permission in the UK.
It is, however, a beautiful place to be, with terraces that allow nearly everyone to enjoy a good view.
Did a circular walk today. It's a nice place for a chilled couple of days, and Guimares, which we stopped in on our way here, was an attractive and friendly small city. But it's not on our "must return" list.

The views from the site though are nothing to complain about.

From our walking route

Leaving tomorrow, hopefully for a free aire in the Douro valley, although apparently it only has eight places. If we don't get in we'll stravaig somewhere else.
Stravaiging, in case you didn't know, is an old Scots word meaning to "wander aimlessly", which suits us at the moment.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Keep it going as enjoying every moment of your thread. Leaving Plymouth on 21/05/23 to Santander. May even attempt a reverse drive of your journey making use of your and other Funsters experiences

Many thanks Jimbo. We're going to be passing you. Catching Santander ferry home on the 22nd!

 

[bobandjanie]

Loving this thread don't give up, it's great for us having visited lots of places in Portugal but even though we first went in 2008 and probably not missed many year's since, you never see it all.

Nazare put a smile on my face, and it wasn't the big waves it was our daily visit to the indoor market to get our hub cap bread seeing all the ladies in the traditional clothes that unfortunately will be no longer in a few years time.

And Porto is another favourite we have been many times and never get bored, the last time me and our dog had 4 days there while Janie flew back to the UK, I certainly got fit with the dog dragging me up and down the hills looking for her mum.
keep posting loving it. Bob.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Loving this thread don't give up, it's great for us having visited lots of places in Portugal but even though we first went in 2008 and probably not missed many year's since, you never see it all.

Nazare put a smile on my face, and it wasn't the big waves it was our daily visit to the indoor market to get our hub cap bread seeing all the ladies in the traditional clothes that unfortunately will be no longer in a few years time.

And Porto is another favourite we have been many times and never get bored, the last time me and our dog had 4 days there while Janie flew back to the UK, I certainly got fit with the dog dragging me up and down the hills looking for her mum.
keep posting loving it. Bob.

Cheers Bob, thanks for that. Everywhere we are at the moment seems to involve walking up or down very steep hills. Helps work of some of the cold beers.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Managed to get the one space available this morning at the amazing free aire in Souselo, in the Douro valley. Huge spaces, free electricity, loos and showers. An extremely verdant part of the country, gardens full of flowering plants that wouldn't survive a British winter, as well as lemons, apricots, oranges and all sorts. A couple of small cafes nearby and a supermarket over the road.

Us on the left in the free aire. With an Irish van beside us!

House with a stunning view of the Douro.

Chilling in the shade.

These are just phone photos, I was a bit lazy today. I'll need my camera tomorrow as we're doing something we've never done before on a van trip. We're booking into a nice hotel for two nights. Not exactly hardcore! But we'll be back to the real stuff soon.

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[Peregrinator]

You would have no problem at Peso da Régua, Hugh Aire Parque de Pernoita de Autocaravanas by the two Bridges, Drinking water, Chemical Waste, Grey Waste & EHU, free except 3 euros for electricity, pay the man in the Bar by the bridge.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

You would have no problem at Peso da Régua, Hugh Aire Parque de Pernoita de Autocaravanas by the two Bridges, Drinking water, Chemical Waste, Grey Waste & EHU, free except 3 euros for electricity, pay the man in the Bar by the bridge.

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Looks good thanks.

 

[Peregrinator]

Please keep to the law when it comes to Aires, abide by the Motorhome regulations in Portugal, it is important to understand the difference between Parking and Camping when overnighting in your vehicle, only recently they have started opening new Aires and allowing park ups again in certain areas, we wouldn't want them to close again.
The motorhome is generally considered to be PARKED when: It has contact with the ground only by the wheels, without stabilizer legs. You can use levelling blocks, although the law is not very clear. There are two types: chocks, which are used to prevent the car from rolling, and levelling blocks, which, as the name suggests, are used to level the vehicle. If we use levelling, it may be considered camping, if you use the chocks it's parking. When parked, you may not have any additional elements, “protruding” beyond the campervan (e.g. awning, windows, doors or tables, chairs).

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Please keep to the law when it comes to Aires, abide by the Motorhome regulations in Portugal, it is important to understand the difference between Parking and Camping when overnighting in your vehicle, only recently they have started opening new Aires and allowing park ups again in certain areas, we wouldn't want them to close again.
The motorhome is generally considered to be PARKED when: It has contact with the ground only by the wheels, without stabilizer legs. You can use levelling blocks, although the law is not very clear. There are two types: chocks, which are used to prevent the car from rolling, and levelling blocks, which, as the name suggests, are used to level the vehicle. If we use levelling, it may be considered camping, if you use the chocks it's parking. When parked, you may not have any additional elements, “protruding” beyond the campervan (e.g. awning, windows, doors or tables, chairs).

Yes to all that. People seem to treat this site differently - awnings, levelling blocks etc, all going on.

 

[Gonestravaiging]

Had a couple of days at the wonderful Octant Douro hotel where, as my wife kept pointing out, the bathroom was bigger than the floorspace of our van. The views were pretty good too. It's the first time we've booked a hotel during a van trip and it seemed like a great success - until we drove nearly three hours to the coast of Galicia yesterday. As we pulled up at the reception of the excellent Monte Cabo campsite (fantastic views of the Atlantic coast) I realised we had left our passports in the safe in our hotel room! We weren't used to removing them from the van I guess, at least that's the kindest explanation I can come up with. After some frantic communication with the hotel we gave up on the idea of having them posting our couriered as no-one could guarantee a delivery date. So tomorrow morning we retrace our steps back to deepest Portugal. These things happen.

At least we've had a couple of very nice days in a beautiful part of Galicia, where we managed to arrive just as the weather warmed up apparently. It's a bit like parts of the Scottish coastline, but with sunshine.

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