Heading West to Sagres

First fun today is last night when we came home from our walk we couldn`t get in the locked gate. Lucky Andre has long arms and could lie down in the garden, lean over and hit the unlock from the inside. So today garbage needed to go out so I went up with him and made sure he could get back in. The code still didn`t work, but we saw someone cleaning and asked her about the number, she was able to do sign language for us and show us the new code. Another crises averted, Andre won`t have to lie down in the garden any more to get us into the apartment block.

We packed up a picnic lunch and headed out for the week-end. We packed up our suitcase not with really any plans, but we brought stuff for 2 nights away, not sure if we would be home today, tomorrow , or Sunday.

First stop is at a very beautiful beach in Alvor near Portomao. There had to be hundreds of parking spots here, maybe 20 of us on the beach. I can`t even imagine how busy this area must be during tourist season. It is another nice day, about 21 degrees but a little windy. Our GPS is working again when plugged into the trunk, good thing Andre has practiced stretching to get us into the apartment, because he is constantly stretching to the back seat to unplug and plug in the GPS. So GPS once again took us down the narrowest streets in town, I really don`t like driving along these, especially when there are cars parked on one side half on the sidewalk, makes for a scary drive.

Beach for lunch Picnic

After lunch we headed further West, our plan is to hit the most southwest corner of Portugal this week-end. We saw a sign for some monuments so headed off our path, never did find the monuments, but after following a narrow country road came across 2 beautiful coves. Once had people surfing. Very pretty. The beaches were Ingrina and Zavial. Many of these secluded spots have campers parked at them. It would be lots of fun to camp here, and you can see that some of the people have been there for a while, but I would hate to drive the campers back there. These are not huge pullouts, just reasonable campers that you could live out of for a couple of months. Something Andre and I talk about doing when we retire, though I am afraid we would have to hire a driver!

Yes, this is a 2 way road!

Beautiful cove

For Jill, this is the fire hydrant sign, no comment please

We make a stop at a pottery factory that is huge along the way. If only we could bring more home. This place had so much to choose from. I did pick up a pitcher that I liked, not sure if I will have to carry it home, or will risk it in my luggage, we`ll see when it comes time for packing.

Pottery Shop

From here we head on to the town of Sagres. Andre had decided this would be a good place to spend the night. I was so disappointed when we drove into town, this is nothing like the pretty town we spent last week-end in. But then we got to the views, wow, amazing. The coast line here is fantastic, reminded us a little of Ireland, very rugged and very pretty. First was to find a place to stay. This town also has a Pousada, a convent that has been converted to a hotel so we check that out. It is 89.00 Euro, absolutely beautiful property, but I don`t want to spend that kind of money on a hotel. Next we see another hotel that looks nice looking over the harbour, we walk in and I see it is a 4 star Michelin hotel, I don`t even want to ask the price, but Andre waits in town, this is 80.00 and again I am too cheap. So we are now booked in a little room over a shop for 30.00 Euro for the night. It looks fine, we are the only guests, I think we may be the only guests they have had all winter. I needed to go and ask for towels and soap to be put in the room. Plus we have a nice view if you go out on the balcony and look way to the right, oh well won`t spend much time in the room anyway, and the difference in price will pay for dinner and breakfast with some to spare....

View from our balcony of 30 euro room

Serious Bocce players

All checked in and we are off for our walk. Haven`t had much exercise today, our short walk on the beach at lunch and that is it. There are some beautiful cliffs overhanging the harbour that have trails through them. It is a little rough going, have to keep your eyes open for rocks, but well worth it for the views. We are very high up on the cliffs, and come across some fisherman up there, I can`t imagine how long their lines must have been. These guys sit right on the edge, they love their hobby, or need to feed their families, not sure which. We spent over and hour to do the loop around and back to our room, a great walk.

Thought about buying this for Craigs first car!

 

Long fishing lines and nerves required!

We are now sitting in a bar having Sangria before supper. This place is supposed to have free internet, but haven`t been able to find the signal, oh well able to write this report anyway. I think Andre is going to move closer to the bar to see if he can get a signal from there.