ISLA CRISTINA

Hola,

First, thanks to everybody who has managed a comment. It is much appreciated. Looking at where the views have come from I'm not sure that we know anybody in Russia! But anyway - Spasiba.
We are still in the same site as last week and very nice it is too. The weather has been warm enough to sunbathe most days but we have had a couple of storms which have shaken our motorhome and brought down a couple of trees. Makes us glad we are not in a tent. We have enjoyed some nice tapas and racions in the local restaurants and as we both like fish and seafood we are in our element.
The campsite puts on entertainment on occasion and we went to a piano recital from a young music student. It was free and we were cajoled with cheap vino. He was a man of few words (being only on lesson 3, Spanish in 3 months, I am a man of fewer words so I could not translate his introductions) but it was still entertaining.
We have a pitch close to the entrance to the site and have lovely evening sun as nobody can park next to us as the final pitch is apparently reserved for the winter but the tenants rarely show up. However, last night at around midnight there was movement on the gravelly sand next to us as we were going to sleep. Very late for anybody arriving, I lifted the blind and saw a motorhome had parked. A little later I heard the voices of children playing but we drifted off to sleep. In the middle of the night our van started to gently vibrate, not like in the wind, but more up an down like a gentle earth tremor; it lasted seconds. This morning we awoke early and raised the blinds. There was nobody next to us. The pitch was empty. They must have left early we thought. I approached the site manager and remarked that it had been a late arrival last night. 'No' he replied, the gates are locked at 10pm and nobody can get in or out without me seeing them. Nobody arrived late last night.
Happy Halloween to all

and Happy Birthday to Deb and Happy Anniversary to Deb & Mike.
More next week although we don't know where we'll be yet.
Love
J & P

AND SO TO SPAIN

Hola,

We have finally arrived in southern Spain, Isla Cristina on the Costa de la Luz. We spent a few days in Evora in Portugal which was an interesting medieval town despite the less than medieval traffic flowing through the tiny lanes. Our journey then took us south through Mertola towards the Atlantic Ocean. Pauline decided we would take the direct route through Mertola's narrow streets which we just about managed leaving only a line of dangling wing mirrors as evidence of our trip.
Our new camp site is right next to the beach and the sea is pretty warm considering it is the Atlantic. More next week about this location as we are here for 12 nights.
We have so far driven about 3000 miles at around 35 mpg which is a lot better than anticipated. I think this is our ninth camp site and all have been pretty good in their own way although quite a few annoy by shutting the swimming pool, restaurant, bar and shop because it is out of season yet the temperatures are in the 80s, The benefit is that costs reduce to around 15 euros a night or lower and most have free wi-fi.
We have been a bit unhappy about missing friends who have been in Spain at this time but in all 3 instances never quite near enough to meet up. A bit more forward planning next time.
I have done a rough count of the different nationalities of the vans we have seen outside their own countries. From the fewest up: Andorra, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Guernsey, Sweden, Hungary, Isle of Man, Poland, Ireland, Jersey, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, GB and Holland. Until we reached Spain we saw surprisingly few Germans but now they are dominating. They will surely soon equal GB and we know if there is a penalty shoot-out there can only be one result!

Adios
J & P

A FEW MORE SNAPS

1st snap is of the main square in Porto, 2nd is Evora and 3rd a couple of old crinklies we met on the way.

PORTO

Spent a few days in Porto.  A large city on the banks of the Douro which rises steeply to the North. Lots of old churches and reminders of Portugal's colonial past. Opposite bank is Vila Nova de Gaia where all the old port houses are. Best as far as the ambience and free tastings were concerned is Taylors. Not so good was Sandemans who also charged for the tour. Enjoyed Porto but always less than happy where nearly every church charges an entrance fee even if they haven't got that much to show.
We are now in Nazare, a seaside resort to the south. Very hot yesterday and until about an hour ago today when a sea fret has come in and dropped temperatures by about 14 degrees c!
We've eaten out on good seafood on a couple of occasions. All the young waiters seem to model themselves on Cristiano Ronaldo (haircuts and facial expressions rather than unnecessary diving which would be rather messy in their profession.)
Tomorrow we are off to Evora, more of which plus some photos next week)
Adeus
J & P

PORTUGAL

Bom Dia,
First of all apologies to all those who thought they have added a post. Only Deb has managed it so far and tells me it is not very easy. I know others have tried. If I find out what the problem is I'll let you know (unless Deb can add a post telling us all how she did it!). Many thanks to all those who are reading the updates.
We zoomed across the plains of Spain last week overnighting in Salamanca before entering Portugal on a wonderful, empty mountainous motorway. We stopped for 4 nights at a nature reserve opposite Aveiro. Lagoon to the east and ocean to the west. Had a great meal yesterday at a Pousada. Started with cockle pies (P) and strips of fried cuttlefish (me) followed by Bacalau - cod (P) and grilled tiger prawns (me). Rather expensive but in general Portugal is very cheap compared with France and N Europe. We have just arrived outside Porto right on the Atlantic and hope to sample the eponymous beverages during the week.
All the best

J & P
picture is me trying to learn a bit of Spanish at our latest site.

SOUTH OF FRANCE

Having spent a couple of nights around Bordeaux Lake looking in vain on our bikes for a bar we travelled south towards Urrogne.
I was going to comment on how civilised the French are regarding speed cameras. A large notice prepares you for them; 200 metres later - a reminder of the speed limit and 200 metres after that the camera. Surely only a complete idiot could get caught?
Instead I shall relate that after a longish drive through boring countryside we are now close to the Spanish border. The campsite is well situated with the Pyrennees to the east and the ocean to the west. There is a swimming pool, tennis court on site and the nearby town of St Jean de Luz is a short bus ride by road or a healthy walk along the coast. We have provisions aplenty and next week we head on into Spain and then Portugal.
Adieu
J&P