Six week road trip - France - Spain - Portugal - Spain

richie

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Allihies again.. but off to Asia soon....
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-471" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

We are just back from a six week trip in Van-Rouge, the start was a bit stressful though as the morning of the outgoing ferry trip the alternator went in the van, Luckily for us Stanley Autos opened up for us and installed a new one on the morning of the ferry deprature, ouf....

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-472" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Derek hard at it....

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Once aboard the Brittany ferries boat we had an easy time of it and got to see the port of Cork.<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-474" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/4-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Last Vans boarding<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-475" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/5-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-476" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/6-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Cobh<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-477" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/7-1024x230.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="230" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-478" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/8-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

A bit of reading before sleep<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-479" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/9-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

The worst thing about the crossing is simply that it arrives too early in the morning. Luckily we were amongst the first people off. And after inspecting the Covid passport and Passport we were on the road and only had five vehicles ahead of us.<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-480" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/10-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

550KM later we arrived at Caroline's house at Yvoy le Marron and spent a relaxing afternoon chatting with them.

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-482" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/12-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Caroline and Nadette

[caption id="attachment_483" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-483" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/13-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Caroline's House[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_484" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-484" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/14-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Yvoy Le Marron[/caption]

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The next day we drove down the autoroute heading for Provence. After a few hours though we got to Langeac, had a meal in a restaurant and the chef told us of this place to park for the night, very nice.<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-486" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/16-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Morning Swim<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-487" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/17-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Van Rouge<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-488" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/18-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

The next day we drove towards Nyons cross country using some lovely roads.<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-489" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/19-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

We spent the night in the Van at Vercoiran in Provence

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-491" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/21.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Fabienne's house, we could have stayed here, but as she was not there herself preferred to stay in the Van.

[caption id="attachment_492" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-492" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/22-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Vercoiran[/caption]

https://youtu.be/qmz_FxnPYaA
<blockquote>Watch a short video showing Vercoiran above</blockquote>
<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-493" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/23.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Of course I had to go for a cycle<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-494" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/24-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Nice spot at the Col de Madeleine

<img class="size-medium wp-image-495" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/25-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

[caption id="attachment_496" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-496" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/26-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Here we had our next mishap as the Van-Rouge would not start...[/caption]

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-497" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/27.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Once we got it jump started we drove to Sault and I did my ride up Mount Ventoux<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-498" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/28-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

The on to Dauphin to meet Ed and Anne<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-499" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/29-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Nadette and Ed<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-500" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/30-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Van-Rouge<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-501" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/31-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

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After an evening of food and drink we went for a 10K walk with Ed in the hills near Dauphin<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-503" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/33-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Nature takes over<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-504" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/34-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

The village of Dauphin from the hills<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-505" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/35-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

We left Ed and drove back towards Ventoux as we had another meet to get to with Lionel and Catherine<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-506" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/36-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-508" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/38.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Another Spin<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-509" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/39-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

Parked up for the night at Col de Ey

[caption id="attachment_510" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-510" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/40-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Col D'Éy[/caption]

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We caught up with Catherine and Lionel in Dieulefit<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-513" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/43-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-514" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/44-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-515" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/45-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-516" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/46-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-517" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/47-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-518" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/48-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-519" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/49-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-520" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/50-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-521" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/51-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

After visiting some lovely villages we ended up at our first campsite, Catherine could not find anywhere for them to stay so they brought a tent.

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-523" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/53.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

The campsite was at Vesc and it was perfect. The village was great too.<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-524" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/54-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-525" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/55-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="768" />

With a small fun Sunday morning market

[caption id="attachment_526" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-526" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/56-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Picnic spot on our way to La Motte Chalancon, where we split up with Catherine and Lionel and headed to Cassis[/caption]

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-527" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/57.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Where we met up with Clemence, after about 15 years<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-528" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/58-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-529" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/59-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-530" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/60-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="768" />

Clemence is a diving instructor but also a captain in the Calanques, so we got a private guided tour just the three of us through some of the Calanques<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-531" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/61-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

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Pirate ship....<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-534" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/64-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-536" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/66-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="768" />

The water was clear and warm

[caption id="attachment_537" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-537" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/67-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Picnic spot on our own[/caption]

https://youtu.be/dOftKrep7o0
<blockquote>Some aerial shots of the Calanques</blockquote>
<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-538" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/68.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-539" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/69.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Next day we had the starter problem of the van sorted, it was not the battery but rather the starter motor.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-540" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/70.jpg" alt="" width="801" height="800" />

Good bye meal in Cassis, I think the restaurant was called Léscalier

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-541" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/71.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

We drove over to the black mountains on your way towards Spain, stopped in Mazamet to see Nadette's Brother Jean, I had a nice cycle on an old railway line.

https://youtu.be/lHVXwrMp9BI
<blockquote>A short video in French of Jeans place near Mazamet</blockquote>
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We drank some Cuvee Charklet....

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-544" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/74.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

And I did my last cycle in France, up the Pique du Nord, Spain awaited....
 
Sorry Richie but not a single photo shows here.
Just blue boxes with a question mark in each box.
Apple MacBook.
 
Looks a cracking trip and nice pictures.
 
Nothing to see here either Richie ... never a problem normally :blast

:beerjug:
 
Pictures display fine on iPad, for me at least :thumb
 
Cheers Lads, when away I believe lets encrypt had a problem with a certificate elapsing. I have just updated my ssl certificates even though it was still in date, I wonder if this has now solved the issue?

Cheers

Absolutely .... photographs superb :thumb

Now carry on regardless Richie ;)

:beerjug:
 
So once we left Mazamet, the idea was to visit a little the Pyrenees on the Eastern side. The weather was bad though so we kept going and ended up sleeping in a motorway Aire, before arriving the next day at a beach a fair bit below Barcelona, of course I went cycling, it was hot and the scenery was good.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-553" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/75.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-555" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/77.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Inland Spain is where it is at...

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-556" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/78.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

The beach, maybe we should have stayed here the night but we ended up driving some more and found out about the built up coast line of Spain which we hated, could not find anywhere we fancied staying the night so went into a campsite.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-557" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/79.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Next day we drove into the hills, so much nicer and lovely roads. By the end of the day we had arrived at La Azohia, much nicer, small village and nice beach.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-558" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/80.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-559" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/81.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Compared with our previous September visits to Spain there were over double the amount of Vans on the road, mostly Spanish.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-560" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/82.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-561" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/83.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Camp spot for the night right in front of the sea

https://youtu.be/FY-mI5pQNDc
<blockquote>Changing from bed to seat, with my Box and Roll bed....</blockquote>
<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-562" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/84.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-563" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/85.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-564" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/86.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Some more driving and we were at Las Negras, cool place and maybe we should have stayed longer, but truth be told we were convinced we'd prefer Portugal so we kept going.

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Flamingo watching

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-577" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/99.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Salt Flats

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-578" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/100.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Salt

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-579" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/101.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

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We drove straight through the Sierra Nevada, the roads are all new and kind of sterile, the older road was probably a lot nicer and slower. The new road avoids every single town, so it is a bit of pot luck if you find a nice one, you have to turn off the road to see them, Amazing roads for so little traffic.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-582" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/104.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-583" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/105.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

Mainly the bike stays in the Van, that way I park anywhere and don't worry about it. Then when parked up for the night I lock it to the van with a cable.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-584" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/106.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-585" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/107.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

https://youtu.be/DPih1bdZ3iw
<blockquote>Not such a bad spot for a campervan with a few Germans thrown in too</blockquote>
[caption id="attachment_586" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-586" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/108-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Playa de las Alberquillas[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_587" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-587" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/109-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> Camp spot, this was a good place quiet and empty beach[/caption]

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I had it in my mind to see but not visit Gibralter, we then ended up in Tarifa, sleeping behind the beach a few KM further from the town itself.

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Last stop in Spain, just for a drink and a look around. Gibraleon<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-591" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/113-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-592" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/114.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />
 
As I said I think the pictures issue is fixed, anyway we made it into Portugal, Great Country

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Three weeks from departure date and we arrived in Portugal, both for the first time, so we headed to a nice restaurant and were blown away by how nice the food was, significantly better than Spain.

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The Restauarant was at Cacela Velha<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-601" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/117-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-602" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/118-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />
Cacela Velha
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Praia

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We then moved on a short bit to Sao Bras de Alportel where we met up with a friend who moved there two years ago from our village in Ireland. And of course I went cycling, lovely roads inland away from the sea, it reminded me of NSW Australia.

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Picnic time

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And an evening meal for five people came to 68€ it was delicious

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We left our friends and drove through some lovely mountain roads

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-619" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/135.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-620" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/136-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-621" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/137-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-622" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/138-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="768" />

Until arriving at Carrapateira

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A beautiful beach but unfortunately wild camping is illegal in lots of places in Portugal so we had to drive to a canmpsite

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Next day we drove up the country passing Odeceixe which was a lovely village. Parked up we saw this flock of Storks.

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That night we spent the night in a car park behind the Praia das Furnas across the bay from Vila Nova de Milfontes

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Seemed like a lovely spot and the first car park in Portugal that did not have no overnight Camping signs....

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-628" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/144-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-629" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/145-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />

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It certainly was a lovely beach, and the Portuguese people are just so nice.

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Next day we went back down to Odeceixe as we felt it deserved another visit, I went cycling and sought out other beaches.

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But we ended up driving to Vila de Milfontes for a second night, always fearful of parking in the wrong spot... Anyway the second morning we ended up getting our details taken by the Guarda de Parc National and we will see if we get a fine in the post...

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From then on all our overnight parking was in the confines of a fenced campsite... Not expensive, but that is not the point, we prefer to try and park on our own and be independent.

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Reserva Natural das Lagoas de Santo André e Sancha
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Local fishing boats

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Flamingos, shot through binoculars with phone

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We then went for a bit of a drive inland, I have a Portuguese friend here who said that Evora was a cool place to go, it certainly was a very pretty town.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-644" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/160-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-645" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/161-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-646" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/162-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-647" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/163-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-648" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/164-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-649" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/165-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-650" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/166.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-651" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/167.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-652" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/168-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-653" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/169-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-654" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/170-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-655" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/171-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-656" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/172-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-657" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/173-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-658" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/174.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

From there we kept heading North as I wanted to go to Portugal's highest peak. On the way we stopped at a Campsite next to this lake.

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And visited the village of Monsanto which was amazing

https://youtu.be/2qVg84SUJPc

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After Monsanto we drove up to the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, which has some beautiful valleys and Portugal's highest mainland peak at just under 2000 meters.

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I ruined the sidewall of a tyre in our campsite so spent half of Sunday finding a new one, I then followed that up with a half ride up the hill, as in not starting from the bottom, it was very cold.

https://youtu.be/OP6AQPDbaa4

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-673" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/189-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-674" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/190-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-675" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/191-1024x694.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="694" />

Two days later we were back at the beach around about the area of Porto, however the Northern beaches were not so much to our liking, and there was a cooler breeze coming in from the Atlantic.

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So after a few nights and a last meal in Viana do Castelo, we decided to head back into Spain, to go to the North Coast that we loved so much before, but this time starting as far west as possible...

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-681" src="https://www.van-rouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/197.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" />

 
 


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