Latest on Wild Camping - Portugal

Photographic proof that we do not only drink alcohol ;) Need a day off after the last couple ha ha.

Currently on the paid aire in Alvor and can report the GNR are moving Motorhomes off from the adjacent free car parking area at least once a day at the moment. Needless to say the paid aire is heaving, so we are just staying for a few days to catch up with friends and favourite haunts.
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JJ said:
Hot News...

The two inconsiderate sods who parked their vans (near) my preferred, off-site pitch at Pego do Altar HAVE LEFT.

Total peace and quiet, lake side beauty...

The (small) area preferred by the "Herder Motorhomers" is pretty busy... maybe 10 units.

I saw quite a few vans heading south yesterday as I drove north, away from the All Day English Breakfasts etc...

Life on the road in the World Of The Freeloading, Off-Site, Spoiling It For The Rest Of Us, Motorhomers is FANTASTIC.

Just saying

JJ :cool:
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What did the trick JJ ;) your super silent Honda generator :eek: or your very tasteful Metallica playing through your boze sound system. :LOL: Bob
 
Or he might have used his charm. And his singing .
 
We occasionally wildcamp - more often though we use aires or campsites (most of all the latter)

IMO wildcamping is an excellent way to stay for 2 or 3 days in an area you like and I am quite happy to share the wildcamp site with a few other like minded motorhomers :)

We are at camping Cabo de Gata - a pleasant site in the national park about a mile from the village.

In the village there is an area of rough ground which used to be used as a market area but is now a car park for the village and for the Saturday market (which has a new site adjacent)

Today, Saturday, when we cycled in to the market we noticed that there are upwards of 30 MoHos parked "cheek by jowl" on said rough dusty ground/car park (some obviously there for "the long term") - mostly German with some Dutch, a few French and 2 Brits

I have noticed that in the Algarve and South & East of Spain this is becoming more prevalent than in previous years - each to his own - however lots of Motorhomes sometimes 50 or more parked really close together (some on a long term basis) on waste ground or car parks on the outskirts of towns or villages does not seem to me to really be wildcamping! :confused: perhaps this even borders on freeloading? :eek: hush - wash my mouth out :oops:

I personally believe that it is this type of camping that can become a bit of an "eyesore" which tends to upset the locals, holidaymakers and police alike and not those wildcampers like @JJ & others who like a little "peace & quiet" in their chosen spots.:)
 
I "freeload".

I am freeloading RIGHT NOW.

The nearest "local", named Rui, doesn't mind at all. He is always pleased to see me AND the other "freeloaders" who, unlike me, park close together on the other (nearer) side of the dam.

We all see him when we drop in to buy meals (my Princess loves his octopus salad) and ice creams, coffees and drinks.

Not all locals are anti freeloading motorhomers... ;)

JJ :cool:
 
How's the weather? We left a wet Glasgow behind today. I've got my sunglasses ready :D2
 
The local bar/shop owners are obviously going to be happy about the extra trade they get from motorhomers. That's not the problem though. It's the inappropriate disposal of waste (in all its forms) that is causing problems.
 
Perhaps to throw a little more information into the pot, I was speaking with a landowner today near to Guia who claimed that he had to block off his spare land from parking because of an edict of the local council

He said that he had been told that he could not apply for development permits whilst the land was in use as a communal resource, because the councils were being flooded with new development applications and such scant resources as casual car parking facilities were being depleted.

Apparently, once a resource such as a parking area is taken out of service for a period of 6 months or longer, it is no longer regarded as a community resource and instead treated as waste land, which results in it being eligible for redevelopment. He told me that the best way to prove it was not being used to the council was to ask the police to more trespassers on.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this, but it seems a credible explanation
 
Well there's a van on here this morning (Alvor) with a nice big NO spray painted on it and a sign. I can only guess they were parked somewhere where motorhomes are not popular! I dare say word will get round as to where it occurred and why - it may not even have been Portugal but I would have thought they would have made a better attempt to cover it/ remove it if it was further afield.
 
Ven said:
Well there's a van on here this morning (Alvor) with a nice big NO spray painted on it and a sign. I can only guess they were parked somewhere where motorhomes are not popular! I dare say word will get round as to where it occurred and why - it may not even have been Portugal but I would have thought they would have made a better attempt to cover it/ remove it if it was further afield.
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Interesting. I wonder if it had UK/GB plates, thus someone would otherwise have sprayed in Portuguese (não). The sign would give a clue, as animal activists have been graffiti-ing everything in sight in English near Portimão ("Stop" signs with large stickers underneath adding "Eating Animals",wall spraying in English, etc)

The Portuguese are amongst the easiest people on the planet to get on with and I agree with JJ in that respect, but some people are really taking the mickey with their parking down in the Algarve and this could be provoking a backlash. As commented previously, the Dutch & Germans appear to be highly conspicuous in that respect, e.g. washing out on lines, poor parking, noise, waste and sewage disposal, etc. Some may argue that M/H bring business to the area, but so do people who stay in villas and hotels, without being so intrusive.

Nothing wrong with freeloading if you are sensitive to the environment and those who live in the area, and don't outstay your welcome
 
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The Spoiling It For Others, Freeloaders at Pego...

The Freeloading gravel "Herders"...

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The Freeloading tarmac "Herders"...

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and the Freeloading Rufty Tufty, Leave Us Alone, We Use Generators, Cool Folk...

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JJ :cool:

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This guy reminds me of me years ago...

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He spent a really happy time getting out all his gear and moving it around, and then repositioning it and getting more stuff out.

I studied my map and, with a bit of Google Earth research, decided to try to find a less crowded place...

The Spoil It For Others, Freedloading, Mini Tour Whilst Heading For QMJ continues...

Just wait until you see my latest "new to me", "secret" lakeside spot... only me here!

Just going out to take photos.

JJ :cool:
 
JJ, should you not be doing something more constructive than taking photos. Like getting your lettuce seedlings ready for this seasons crop.
 
Peace and quiet at last...

Really, really pleased to have discovered this spot.

Great 4g internet too... (y)

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Probably a tad busier in swimming season.

Although it is out in the wilds, it is at the end of a single track road so you can hear or see anyone arriving well in advance.


JJ :cool:
 
The graffitied van was German for info. We left before any details were revealed but I cannot argue the Portuguese are a lovely friendly sort as a rule and we have never had any issues. We do try not to P anyone off though and not overstay our welcome :)

Your new spot looks lovely @JJ

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JJ said:
Peace and quiet at last...

Really, really pleased to have discovered this spot.

Great 4g internet too... (y)

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Probably a tad busier in swimming season.

Although it is out in the wilds, it is at the end of a single track road so you can hear or see anyone arriving well in advance.


JJ :cool:
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Now that is our sort of place.
Lovely.
Don't worry though @JJ, we won't be there for a few weeks and you'll be long gone I suspect.

Richard.
 
JJ said:
Peace and quiet at last...

Really, really pleased to have discovered this spot.

Great 4g internet too... (y)

View attachment 149924

View attachment 149926

Probably a tad busier in swimming season.

Although it is out in the wilds, it is at the end of a single track road so you can hear or see anyone arriving well in advance.


JJ :cool:
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A free-range Hymer if ever I saw one :).
 
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matamoros said:
Another Algarve site where you pay:

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I have stayed on that exact spot also, for one night, and very nice it is too:)

Another place where you don't pay

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Nice??

And another place where you don't pay
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This was very nice for one night but it looked like some were abusing the locality by staying put.

There is a difference:)
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Yes your right there is a lot that stay for months. At the river spot Dutch a German and a isle of Man also a English each year.
 
Another spot that is likely to be ruined.
Gnr have moved van's on.

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@JJ Ill be portugal soon am i invited to your little eden lol
 
laurieash said:
Another spot that is likely to be ruined.
Gnr have moved van's on.
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When we were there a few years ago a man from the mayors office came round with notices in different languages regarding the canoe competition. He asked everyone not to leave the town but just to move away from the car park at the lake to another in the town whilst the competition was on and to move back afterwards.

Your notice looks the same especially with the apology about inconvenience.

Why were the GNR involved? Did some vans not move to the other parking?

.
 
Early in the year cafe owners complained that there was no parking bays for his customers.
Also wouldn't move from Disabled parking space so GNR moved everyone.
But you are right about the canoe weekend but same again a German and French van was parked there when everyone else had moved.
 
laurieash said:
Another spot that is likely to be ruined.
Gnr have moved van's on.
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Up date, talked to a couple today and they was one of the three that was fined €30.00 in November. The other vans moved before they had chance to ticket them.
you are not allowed to park in the u shaped part past the sìgns.
if you do its at your own risk.

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