We landed at Porto airport, and after a debate over parking charges, which delayed us almost an hour, we were on our way. Apparently Porto airport charge for one day, one week or one month, we were there for two months and 17 days. I had paid for two months before leaving not knowing when we were to return. For the 17 days still outstanding they insisted on charging me at the daily rate, total 102 Euros, or 1 full month which is 98 Euros. I wanted to pay 17 days at the monthly rate. In the end they didn't charge me at all, nice people the Portuguese.
It was lovely to open the MH up to find it in good order and smelling sweet, clean as a new pin. We left the cover on as by now it was 10.45 pm, we had a shower at the sites facilities and retired, we slept like logs until 9am. 31st, we removed the cover and parked the MH the camp area, the plot we left in June was vacant so we parked there and felt quite at home. I did a few odd jobs, we had lunch on the sea front, then back to the MH and chilled out for the rest of the day in 31’ of sunshine. The following day we went to the hypermarket and stocked up with provisions, paid the site fees, 404 Euros for 75 days parking, painful. I washed the car which was covered in sand. We were all ready to move.
2nd September. Valado.
We first drove to a filling station that sold LPG. I filled the tank which cost 13.79 Euros. Our total spend on the continent to date including last years holidays is 27 Euros, much better than we had hoped.
We moved south intending to stay at Nazare a couple of hours drive, but about 5 Km short of Nazare we came across a well laid out site called Valado. Just as well really because we were lost, we had travelled on a road that did not exist according to the new map and Mr Garman! The site looked deceptively attractive set in a pine forest.
The facilities are excellent so we decided to stay the night and check out the Nazare site tomorrow, although recommended it might not be as good? I say deceptively attractive because we soon discovered it would not be possible to erect the awning here as below the thick pine needle floor is sand which would not hold tent pegs securely. The ground also gave way under pressure and since the pitches were all sloping our levelling jacks just sank even though we had wood platforms. It’s great for tents but not for heavy vehicles.
We had also checked out Figueira da Foz, a municipal site on the way south about half way from Costa Nova to Nazare. The site had an impressive entrance, however when I walked beyond the entrance I saw a sea of old caravans with canvas extensions on extension on extensions, they were so close to one another they looked attached, not our cup of tea! so we made coffee in their car park and left.
3rd September. Nazare
Before we left Valado I helped a couple to extricate their car from the sand as it had sunk. On reaching Nazare It was 30’, too warm to put the awning up, I decided to assemble it in the morning.
This site is also set in a sloping hillside pine forest, but areas have been dug out into terraces providing sites that are level and have been hard cored to make a solid foundation, too solid in fact as I had to purchase a lump hammer to drive home the steel pegs around the awning.
Perched precariously on the edge of the terrace we have a commanding view of site.
We had walked around the site which is enormous with club house, cafeteria a restaurant and a plunge pool a large swimming pool.
There is a games room area set aside for children and even a dog washing area although I only saw one dog, thanks to a visitor from Holland. There is at least 6 facility blocks, altogether an up market camp site.
If there were any doubts about staying here, they were washed away as we drove into the town Nazare, about 2 Km away. A beautiful beach with a 2Km promenade with shops selling everything under the sun at double the price of less attractive places!
Local catches are dried on the beach.
The cable car takes you up to the old town where there is a fiesta taking place over the next 7 days to celebrate Mary of Nazareth as their patron St.
After lunch we walked the promenade to be accosted by old ladies armed with placards advertising apartments and rooms to let.
As you approach the town it seems that on every corner the old ladies are sat in wait, they leave their chairs and wave their placards at you. It wasn’t until we were in the town proper did we realize what they were doing.. Guess the lady pictured here couldn't cope with the competition and had taken up knitting.
On another day we purchased a dozen Sardines from the lady who was attending the drying racks on the beach. I grilled them on the BBQ that evening, they tasted fantastic with bread and butter which helped the small bones go down.
