Pressing in to Portugal

6fartsinacart
Nov 23, 2016
3 min read

Ola everyone

Thursday, 17 November: Today we have crossed over Rio Minho from Spain into Portugal just after 1pm and stop in Vila Nova de Cerveira next to the river. It's a lovely place and we go for a walk around the town centre through a ruin of a castle right in the middle of it. They have a library and we take advantage of the computers with internet connection. Geneve spoils us with a proper big meal of roast chicken and potatoes, cauliflower with white sauce, and fried mushrooms. Yum!!

Friday 18 November: After lunch we stop at a smaller ruin Forte de Rego de Fontes. That evening we stay at an Aire in Agucadoura next to the beach. Our evening meal: Emile and Dad's fish that they caught a few days before. Not Bad.

Saturday 19 November: What an exciting day! Going through one of the towns, we happen to join a rally car race (not out of free will). We have a few rally cars overtaking us. Mum does not find it very amusing. At some parts the roads are blocked off for us non rally vehicles and we have to find a detour. It is somewhat tricky, because our road map does not have smaller roads and the information we need, and the SAT-NAV keeps on telling us to turn around. Eventually we find our way out of the 'maze'. One Portuguese policeman is grateful that he can practice his English skills. That night we sleep at an Aire at Entre-os-Rios next to the Douro river.

Sunday 20 November: It pours down with rain!! Through Bluegum forests, navigating Merzy around hairpin bends and steep descends, we go 'straight' to our Aire at Coimbra and have lunch. Us kids go and play at the 'gym' area when the rain lets up for a bit.

Monday 21 November: In the morning we walk across the river to go and explore a small part of Coimbra. On our way through Leira, Emile spots a point of interest and persuades us to go and check it out. It turns out to be a castle that was almost restored to its former glory again. A delightful experience and well worth the 8,40 Euro entrance fee. Our stop-over for tonight: an Aire at Batalha.

Tuesday 22 November: The Lord answers our prayers! We find a lavandaria and are able to do our laundry. Yay! You can make your own calculations... 6 farts and 2 and a half weeks of washing... The Lord is good! We also manage to fit in a tour of the magestic Batalha Abbey. Geneve especially is impressed with the carving of the gargoyles. We aim for the coastal town of Peniche and after veiwing a few potential places to doss (sleep), we park at the marina.

Wednesday 23 November: The bloody battle between human and mosquitoes: I wake up with my father holding onto my mother's feet as the mosquitoes were dragging my mum off alive. They were taking no prisoners. Eventually with the help of a torchlight and quite a few wet wipes, my dad claims the victory. Next year we will commemorate this day as the blood battle of Peniche. In the morning (fortunately everybody still alive), we go for a walk to the fort. We are now on our way to Lisbon.

On our trek so far we have been privileged to meet quite a few lovely people- Australians, Swedes, and Brits - which resulted in useful tips for us as newbies.