Comporta

We were glad we decided to spend another night at Praia de Sao Juliao. As we have mentioned before, this type of place is more us. We love being by the coast, whether at home or abroad, and do not think we will ever tire of its ever changing picture. Before we left this morning, Angela took John along the coast path to where she walked yesterday afternoon, as she did not want him to miss the unusual landscape. He likened it to the surface of Mars. We have found the geology in this area fascinating.

Above the rocks, and further down nearer the sea there were many fisherman. We noticed that they piled up stones to secure their fishing rods, leaving their hands free. 

At midday we set off, stopping to water Marge. Then it was time to take on the busy ring road around Lisbon.

Far out on the outskirts we were amazed at just how many high rise flats there were. The ring road then passed by Lisbon airport, the planes of Easyjet and Ryanair were so close by, they looked like they were parked on the road. As we left Lisbon, we could see in the wing mirrors of the van just how vast the city was.

Our outbound journey took us over the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which crosses the river Tagus, connecting Lisbon with Southern Portugal. It is over ten miles long, and we found it both exciting and fascinating crossing it. 

Once on route to southern Portugal, we noticed a big change. The towns seemed more affluent and the countryside more like France, with crops growing in the fields. The Portuguese we have encountered so far do not seem too big on gardening, any outside space they either totally neglect or fill with rubbish. We could see from the area we were in now, that home owners took a little more pride in their outside space. Many of the roads we travelled this afternoon passed through acres and acres of cork trees.

A cork tree must be twenty five years old before its outer layer of bark is stripped. This process is then repeated every ten years. An average cork tree lives to be two hundred years old. Under the trees we saw herds of cows and flocks of sheep grazing. They probably produce a good source of fertiliser for the trees, whilst keeping the ground clear.

On route to our overnight stop, we saw our first sign for the Algarve. We were nearing our objective. We dismissed the first recommended stop, and the second, which was in a nice town, but was not available as a fair was being set up, the one after that just didn't feel right.  So we headed for the town of Comporta, where on the aire, we came across an abundance of other vans from many different countries.

Taking a walk out on our arrival, as we had been travelling for a few hours today, we spotted at white horse grazing by the rice fields, also storks amongst the rice plants, and high up in their nests, some with their young. The local people take no notice of the storks, just as we are a little blase about the red kites that frequent the Chiltern Hills near to where we live.

A mist had rolled in from the nearby coast, and the watery sunset, with the rice fields in the foreground, was a typical Turner painting.

Praia de Sao Juliao.  (Day 2).

Last night it was nice once again to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the sea. We hadn't realised how much we'd missed its soothing sound. First thing this morning it was so quiet, the waves were the only sound to be heard. Until, a couple lost their dog. It had run up through the greenery on the side of the cliff. After lots of calling its name, Lucky, (questionable name in the circumstances), and whistling, the owners driven by adrenaline set off through the undergrowth to the cliff top. After a while, Lucky materialised back at the bottom, and was being held by someone in the car park. Good game Lucky! 

Being a Sunday, we would normally take advantage of the roads being quieter and travel for quite a few miles. But the roads in Portugal seem fairly quiet, away from the cities, most of the time. Originally, we thought we may travel in to Lisbon, but the entrance to the secure parking for Marge was not wide enough, so Lisbon will have to wait for another time.

So we opted for a more leisurely day, beginning with a walk along the beach, dwarfed by dramatic layered rock, amongst which we could see tiny fossils, mostly shells. 

John picked up a couple of decent sized 3 - 4 inch across fossilised bivalves, which we shall bring home with us. The beach was busy, and out in the sea there were quite a few surfers. 

The tide was out when we set off, walking along the long stretch of white sand, peeking in to the rock pools as we sauntered by. By the time we decided to turn back, the tide had also turned, and the sand we'd imprinted with our footsteps was now under water, so a quick scramble over some rocks saw us safely back.

Late this afternoon, at high tide, John went off fishing, and Angela set off for a walk along the coast path.

The change in terrain on the coast path was amazing after only a few metres. Still up on the cliff, but with a flatter, elevation. Almost like the surface of the moon at one point, then leading into a small ravine. It was so tranquil, she sat a while to enjoy the scene, all the time the pounding Atlantic could be heard colliding with the rocks below. Returning to John, the sea had picked up its pace, throwing waves over the rocks he was fishing from, all a little unnerving. It was easy to see how people find themselves being swept into the sea.

The afternoon was once again warm, and sun hats were required. But as soon as the sun goes down a little chill arrives in the air. But we're not complaining. About five thirty this afternoon, just as we were working, (yes working), on some, accounts queries, a telephone call (face time), came in from Angela's son Chris, his wife Kirsty, and our grandson, one year old Elliot. We were told the weather was awful at home, affecting their television signal. What's a television? We suggested they book a cheap flight out to Portugal, there's no television here either. Weather's nice though. We then used John's phone to show them our view of the sea, and the other vans parked with us. Chris asked, "are you in a car park with market vans?" "Yes", we replied, and here is our box of vegetables left over from this mornings market, showing him the contents of our veg box. Nothing wrong with a parking area to stop over in, it's free, and in most cases you get the best view in the house, we've certainly stayed at some magical places, and seen some amazing sights. Talking of sights, an older surfer, thought it would be nice if we all saw him in the buff earlier this evening. How we've missed the German's love of naturism!

Praia de Sao Juliao

Luxury at the aire yesterday. A lovely clean ladies and gents toilet, but alas, no shower for us to indulge in, we're guessing that lucky day was probably a one off. During the night, the wind got up and we could hear its whisper as it passed through the trees.

This morning the French walked by Marge, craning their necks for a look inside. We know what Marge would have said to them!

Close by, in the town, a market was taking place, mostly fruit and vegetables, but a couple of men were selling cockerells and rabbits. We noticed the fruit and vegetable stalls all seemed to be run by women sixty plus. We guessed, the husbands cultivated the crops, whilst the women sold the produce. What really baffled us, was the fact they were all selling exactly the same produce, how did the local people choose who to buy from?

Late morning, we set off back towards the coast to Ericeira.

At Lidl, we just needed a few fresh items, (and a custard tart), we parked next to a young German family. The slogan on the back of their van read, 'life is better outside'. We couldn't agree more. On further research of their website, we discovered that they have been on the road since April. The Dutch couple we were next to yesterday, left home at the beginning of September, and are away until the beginning of December. They had an internet business selling furniture online. It seems, that the urge to travel, is vast, we meet different people everyday, all with a different story to tell, but all with a similar thought and objective. Life is short, get out there and live it! 

Angela wanted to visit Mafra, so we diverted back there to see the palace and monastery, both which seemed in need of some money spending on it.

In the church, still open to the public, a wedding was taking place, amongst the continuous flow of visitors. It was all a little bizarre. 

We'd experienced a few problems whilst driving today, mostly steep inclines and narrow roads. At one point we thought we'd be in big trouble in a village with very, very, narrow roads, and high walls. But two old men, waved us in a direction Angela wasn't happy about driving in, and apart from it being a steep downhill road with bends, after negotiating the exit, we were back on a main road. Thank you, helpful Potuguese elders. 

Tonight we are back at the beach. We have had enough culture, and have missed the Atlantic ocean and its strong determined character. Although it was late afternoon, we parked Marge and set off for a walk along the sand, under the unstable cliffs.

The sea, was aggressive as ever, but we're used to its rage now. The sun reflected off the sea in flashes of light, shattered by the waves as they flung themselves at the rocks. The rock formation was interesting, if not a little unstable. In a cave, John came across an 'old fossil'!

Returning later to Marge, we spoke a little to the young couple next to us. Then whilst we cooked our evening meal, we discussed how exciting it was to be young, fearless, and enthusiastic, and just go for it. A life on the road fuelled by pasta and hormones. We all wish we could be youthful for ever. Well you all might, but the 'old fossil' in the cave is only fifty nine, and fuelled by hormones. Time to put on the pasta!