It’s always strange getting back in the motorhome after being at a house sit for a few weeks but we soon get into the swing of things, and back to watching the comings and goings of the place we call home for that night instead of watching the tv.
Leaving central Portugal we head to the town of Aveiro and then over a few days we follow the coastline up to the Spanish border.
There are lots of nice motorways and roads in this area however, the Portuguese drivers are nuts. They tailgate like no other country we have been to because I am sure when we look in the wing mirrors we can see the cheese filling in the sandwich of the chap behind us!! It also seems there’s some sort of national compulsion that they need to pass at the first opportunity and so they sit bumper to bumper and then zoom around, they even do it on bends, it’s bonkers.
And if the roads aren’t bad enough the bureaucracy is even more infuriating. We have tried several different ways to pay for the tolls we have used but no one can give an accurate explanation of how they work, each time we are given different information, so we decide to leave this in the lap of the gods to see what happens, maybe they can work it out!!
For this part of our trip, we decide to stay away from the commotion of the larger city centres and find some of the oldest villages that our more picturesque and where life goes at a slower pace. In most of these villages, it’s like stepping back in time with narrow cobbled streets, little old ladies dressed in black with the obligatory tabard sweeping their doorway and a trip out is either by horse and cart or an old tractor.
Tomorrow we will leave Portugal and I’m surprised that in just a couple of weeks, we can understand 50% or so of what is being said to us but sadly our reply is much slower, but we are getting there.
Portugal isn’t just blue-and-white tiles, custardy Pasteis de natas (although they are one of my favourite things) and endless sunshine it’s full of history and friendly welcoming people, it’s certainly worth a visit.
Aveiro has earned a name for itself as the Venice of Portugal as the city is lined with gorgeous canals.
My favourite shop
Pingo Duce has a great variety of groceries and seems to be very popular with the locals
I’m sure this poor old horse would prefer to be wandering around a field, one of the few things I dislike about Europe is how they treat their animals.
The versatile tabard can be worn almost anywhere.
No visit to Portugal would be complete without tasting the famous local dishes and pastries, and the Veal steak John feasted on certainly got the better of him.
Vila Cha for the night, great site a few minutes walk from the sea.
First time we have seen Profiteroles in Portugal
Vila Chã Beach is a small, quiet sandy beach, sheltered from the wind, with several rocky areas and good facilities providing all the support that bathers may require.
Tonights view from habitation door is the Atlantic Ocean, Ancora. When we wake in the morning we are surrounded by vans and cars, all shapes and sizes, all looking for a free spot.
Vila Praia De Ancora is a little city located on the Atlantic Ocean and a favoured stopping point on the Portuguese Coastal Camino de Santiago.
Late evening Ancora watching the sunset
Coordinates for sites used in Portugal
Aveiro
N 40.64269
W 8.63876
Vila Cha
N 41° 17′ 54
W 8° 43′ 58
Vila Praia de Âncora
N 41.81724
W 8.86992