Silves and up to Barrgem de Arade

Mon 29^th

First stop was to refill the lpg bottles as we are using a bit more now that it cold in the evenings and first thing. We have saved lots by using refillable bottles and have not had any problems so far finding garages that sell it.

Next we drove inland to Silves a town that many people have recommended. We stocked up in Lidls then walked up to the lego –like castello (fort) which dominates the skyline. It made from red sandstone and was restored in the 1940’s. The site is a mixture of Islamic and Christian influences from the   8^th – 13^th centuries. The centre is being excavated and the diggings are revealing many walls. Definitely a work in progress.

lego castle?

he is tall!

Next stop was the free parking spot by the swimming pool, what a let down as it looked like a gypsy camp. Vans were crammed into the car slots and after talking to a few people they were there for a long time. Just not for us as it was too urban, just off a busy road with a petrol station right beside it. They are in the process of constructing a new area which will no longer be free. Bet that upsets a  few people.

new diggings 

We moved 7 miles the Barragem de Arade, a very quiet spot by a man made reservoir. The top area was “little Germany” as the 5 vans there were all Germans who clearly had been there for some time. We received a very friendly welcome with lots of waves.

barragem de artade

health & safety??

Before tea we went for a stroll across the dam and back in a loop. Very peaceful, with virtually no cars passing. When the sun set it was suddenly very cold as we were at about 400m altitude. The front thermal screen was fitted on the van pronto!

Marinha - awesome cliffs!

Fri 27^th

Sunny start to the day, wonderful views whilst chomping breakfast of the rocks and sea. First thing we walked along the beach and scrambled over the rocks to see the arches closer up. It was well worth the effort. Nature provides wonderful things to look at as pics below will show.

cormorant island!

We then got the bikes sorted out for a cycle along the coast, just as were about to depart a  GNR (police) car rolled up behind us. We were politely told that the leveling block we had used on one wheel was camping – so same rules as Spain. This means no levelling blocks, steadies, chairs tables etc, trouble is that it is very inconsistently applied. Many vans are therefore leveled on rocks, holes dug out and many more inventive solutions! I apologized and said I would move the van after our ride.

We returned and had lunch, then moved the van up the hill 100m to a large area where other vans were parked randomly amongst the scrubby land.  Lots of blocks being used here………….. J

We chatted to a lovely Brit couple, Dave and Sue who had been here many times before. They are windsurfers, runners and cyclists. We had to go for a lie down after talking to them as we felt tired.

Sun 28^th

Sunny start again but it soon clouded over, something we are just not used to. We had a good natter and a laugh with Dave and Sue, swapping info on where to go and generally talking about each others travelling experiences. Their account of using a public loo whilst in China was hilarious and explained using “role play”. Priceless.

chinese toilet "role play"

After a late lunch we walked around the cliffs for one last time as we planned to move tomorrow. Still very “awesome” in Tina’s words.

"awesome"

Christmas Day & Praia Marinha

Thurs 25^th – Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to you all!

After a nice long lie we had a leisurely breakfast then cycled into Vilamoura. It was warm and sunny, tee shirt and shorts weather on Christmas Day!!!

morning cycle ride

There were two cafes open so we stopped for a drink, it just had to be the one with the pink and white “throne” chairs. Very Posh & Becks?

don't say a word.......

We cycled back and after a simple lunch I cooked the fresh chicken on the BBQ. It smelt wonderful and we were tempted to get stuck in straight away.

Once we had spoken to our families back in the UK we went for a stroll along the cliff tops and back along the beach. It was nice to see lots of people on the beach enjoying the lovely weather. Once back Tina prepared the brussel sprouts, carrots and potatoes for our evening feast. We even had cranberry sauce and chipolattas. It was very tasty and most welcome.

A lovely, relaxing Christmas Day in the warm sunshine. Certainly a first for us both, but will it be the last?

Fri 26^th – Boxing Day

Time to move as we had been at the site for 6 nights which is much longer than normal for us. We packed up and said our goodbyes after swapping info on where to visit and free camp. It is great that people are usually keen to offer help and advice. Blogs are another great source of info on where to go.

We moved all of 23 miles west along the coast to Praia Marinha. What a great spot perched on the top of amazing  limestone kaste cliffs. Fantastic rock formations and caves with some amazing arches formed over centuries. The beach below us looked very inviting.

View from our spot

Our Spanish neighbour showed us the efforts of his beach combing, a bowl of limpets and winkles with a couple of crabs. He was going to have the lot for dinner.  We spoke to loads of people who were passing by, one English lady even recommended an Indian restaurant near her villa. Two Dutch families stopped for a chat and were very interested to hear about where we had been on our travels. We even got the maps out to show them some places in Spain they hadn’t heard of. It is really rewarding when people want to talk to you and you are able to make them aware of places they have not yet visited.  Whilst we were chatting to them 2 pods of dolphins appeared just off the beach. What a wonderful thing to watch as they leapt in and out of the water like spring lambs! Wonderful to watch.

amazing arches

our spot - our's is the silver van!

The sunset was beautiful and the sky has just lost its warm red glow as I type this at 6.15pm.  Great spot.

Christmas preparations - Algarve style

Tues 23^rd

Yet another sunny and warm day so we had a laundry day!  Once the clothes were all hung out we cycled into Vilamoura for a fat boy full English breakfast. It was our first for 9 months and went down a treat.

lovely, big english breakfast

two contented people........burp

Once back we continued the cleaning theme and did the inside of the van, I even washed and lubed the chains on our bikes for the first time in 9 months. To finish the day we walked along the beach before retiring for the obligatory cup of tea.

Weds 24^th – Christmas Eve

Scoot out and along to Intermarche for the final bits and pieces for the 25^th. What a relaxed experience compared to the shopping frenzy in the UK pre Christmas when you would think we had to stock up for a week without shops.

Lunch was bacon rolls, proper British bacon which we had carried around with us in the freezer. Yum, yum, yum.

I then cleaned the leather seats in the van as they were a tad grubby looking – you have to be ready for the big day. To finish the day we yet again went fro a stroll and a paddle on the beach. It was lovely and warm, the sea was surprisingly warmish. Well not really, our feet were frozen when we got back to the van.

In the evening we cycled up to a local restaurant with Aid & Tim , 2 of our fellow motorhomers from the site. We enjoyed a lovely meal, Tina was in heaven when her monkfish kebab arrived, it comprised of monkfish, king sized prawns and roasted veg. A very happy girl indeed.

look at my kebab!

A very pleasant Christmas Eve, with good company.