tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100546132024-03-07T03:50:39.108+00:00Home is where I park itI left behind life as I knew it & started on a journey. The journey in a physical sense has seen me living in vehicles for the past 10 years travelling parts of Europe & North Africa. This journey has & continues to be amazing, discovering new places and meeting new people who constantly inspire me. On an emotional level this journey has made me re-evaluate everything I believed in & helped me to become more open hearted & honest about myself & others. Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.comBlogger537125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-15683829275951444832022-05-04T15:42:00.003+01:002022-05-04T15:42:47.459+01:00Conservas (preserves)<p>We are great fans of conservas, (preserves is the literal translation and means all tinned goods), we mostly have tinned fish. In the UK it is not such a big thing and a lot of people would maybe have a tin of tuna and a tin of sardines in the cupboard for a sandwich filler or to chuck in with some pasta. In Spain and Portugal tinned fish has always been a massive industry and anyone who has holidayed in Portugal will have probably seen the beautifully designed tins and the shops dedicated to them.</p><p>While we were in Ayamonte in Spain we saw a whole shop dedicated to conservas! Sadly they were closed for carnival while we were there but we looked in envy through the windows at all the tins of fish!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2V1d4cTIogVxUV3Oe9zQiZSpovcr8MlS7cNttfzQd6EY9BfMPoI7348SPiOqZBNAvGL4Bgz9V7yDiVA8D21iXyClDKszs-btvlSxWXhE0A0q80B-iN7KcNd4eupCty_RddaEMebIe6luZoKIKFmrBACYRzWsvwyU3KzDIZmV5wLwIw6sQQ/s2880/IMG_20220503_151513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2V1d4cTIogVxUV3Oe9zQiZSpovcr8MlS7cNttfzQd6EY9BfMPoI7348SPiOqZBNAvGL4Bgz9V7yDiVA8D21iXyClDKszs-btvlSxWXhE0A0q80B-iN7KcNd4eupCty_RddaEMebIe6luZoKIKFmrBACYRzWsvwyU3KzDIZmV5wLwIw6sQQ/s320/IMG_20220503_151513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We regularly eat tins of fish for lunch with a salad or crackers or an array of nibbles and they are a great little thing to keep in the van. We are always on the look out for tins of fish we haven't tried before. Here are a few we tried recently.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sprats fried in oil.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh6f0RI8wY69cR73jPs_ZllCZpV3xZ3DejhQpTWNITiKheS1vNLmbI3lRP59tU1ClMBqoumm_gmpIcDKtCY_30qNERVVTHugKoR1GnMaCRzArDiUTolKFQco5MK3UOofsyL1QMbAprheDc5V84sSaFqqlEVBvHen5gD08Tqv5LKO8w8dmvQ/s2880/IMG_20220503_151413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh6f0RI8wY69cR73jPs_ZllCZpV3xZ3DejhQpTWNITiKheS1vNLmbI3lRP59tU1ClMBqoumm_gmpIcDKtCY_30qNERVVTHugKoR1GnMaCRzArDiUTolKFQco5MK3UOofsyL1QMbAprheDc5V84sSaFqqlEVBvHen5gD08Tqv5LKO8w8dmvQ/s320/IMG_20220503_151413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mackerel in olive oil, red pepper and herb.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XC0Qv7CH9qFi9euP-ybR4Jq3zZJWzPvrrifYJGqZJWT06SGVsPMDMS-05euEOx7WtN3G5LMirLe61NGkU5Fg-c2L2D3xFDNxBb_6T-c7KNEkW_5QDrYIOhejILofpV8KGSTl3L3NgOLOViq8656J5_zNfnTYlBd4ggwuIXihK0gxi6q1yA/s2880/IMG_20220503_151437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XC0Qv7CH9qFi9euP-ybR4Jq3zZJWzPvrrifYJGqZJWT06SGVsPMDMS-05euEOx7WtN3G5LMirLe61NGkU5Fg-c2L2D3xFDNxBb_6T-c7KNEkW_5QDrYIOhejILofpV8KGSTl3L3NgOLOViq8656J5_zNfnTYlBd4ggwuIXihK0gxi6q1yA/s320/IMG_20220503_151437.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Squid in ink.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN9jvM31ZNW9CoI-nPY2ycY50JLhTgX-9ahsh6Cv1xmv0_6au_5plnASDkTab_VSjjsL1FGx2zWWZ7rzKW5IpSniHZHQvv2FwKlsBhpYEL9Hv-p9d-W1B46I1wnJgQA6iUvUtYRfljsoZ1xnJp8UjRC3ANg7HsLtKUOztJE7c8Jeq4lzqnw/s2880/IMG_20220503_151456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN9jvM31ZNW9CoI-nPY2ycY50JLhTgX-9ahsh6Cv1xmv0_6au_5plnASDkTab_VSjjsL1FGx2zWWZ7rzKW5IpSniHZHQvv2FwKlsBhpYEL9Hv-p9d-W1B46I1wnJgQA6iUvUtYRfljsoZ1xnJp8UjRC3ANg7HsLtKUOztJE7c8Jeq4lzqnw/s320/IMG_20220503_151456.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-57950950313993907882022-04-29T13:51:00.002+01:002022-04-29T13:51:26.449+01:00Oliveira do Hospital Cheese festival<p>Every year in March, our nearby town of Oliveira do Hospital holds Portugal's biggest cheese festival. Around 300 exhibitors usually participate and not only is there cheese, there is lots of other traditional produce especially produce from the Serra da Estrela region.</p><p>There are cheese producers, including the dairies that produce the Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese. Sausages from the region, honey, wine, liqueurs and spirits, bread and cakes, and crafts.</p><p>Every year, an invited cheese is associated with the event and visitors can go around all the stalls tasting cheese, sausages, Dão wine, and other traditional gastronomic products.</p><p>The event ends with the largest curd cheese in the world, weighing around 70 kg, manufactured live, offered to all who want to taste it and accompanied by pumpkin jam, also produced at the event.</p><p>We had a great time sampling cheeses and buying a few as well as quite a few liquors!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3RL61rIS81aJhJhW_ncKkh1OJXkNpYQqUZxmD7qFfvq-N6IgX06r7jKR8uORq2OjJOJG549gPgAfvuaJkyFoUsleZAKThs3BqV6OUdwAe-_mpc9jIkjP-NblvC8Ou6nD7mBXP2Oh1AjFSWg_V5TSdrKwL89lxX_vkHzC1ADItmhZETrwrg/s1080/IMG_20220429_134522_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3RL61rIS81aJhJhW_ncKkh1OJXkNpYQqUZxmD7qFfvq-N6IgX06r7jKR8uORq2OjJOJG549gPgAfvuaJkyFoUsleZAKThs3BqV6OUdwAe-_mpc9jIkjP-NblvC8Ou6nD7mBXP2Oh1AjFSWg_V5TSdrKwL89lxX_vkHzC1ADItmhZETrwrg/s320/IMG_20220429_134522_020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5w5O4y905jYMBPp7eqB30qDGdIJpU50as7DlAftS6u_fkA8_Gthg7i3ae19dsxCwZWyggf52OSAN1LkR19A_Yl2NPcVlFEcax4BekNmBW1HlY0spREa4D6sAzKrD1xBu2rb9NQX6H98Gpa6dY2h779pC6xkkePKiLaEM8agMTOFcDqh2Qg/s320/IMG_20220429_134522_666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgucaffBp7Ww3KF8kqK00y0Z8WBTNYc2hjcZ2jfkJkkyPf4lEE_X-QBEXgmAFy6ocLOLYKG7FyK_812UOmsB9SBqAS8HKYCZhcVx2JY-yh0T1_TGkIO5rRWeC2k2K73YIY6j9SjwvDRFpPqPY-4c4tdAA07lIW5Yyf7dk6EI6v0O5C-qpFg/s1080/IMG_20220429_134522_685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgucaffBp7Ww3KF8kqK00y0Z8WBTNYc2hjcZ2jfkJkkyPf4lEE_X-QBEXgmAFy6ocLOLYKG7FyK_812UOmsB9SBqAS8HKYCZhcVx2JY-yh0T1_TGkIO5rRWeC2k2K73YIY6j9SjwvDRFpPqPY-4c4tdAA07lIW5Yyf7dk6EI6v0O5C-qpFg/s320/IMG_20220429_134522_685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Thanks for looking :) xxx</p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-19254426142168319772022-04-20T15:00:00.003+01:002022-04-20T15:00:29.801+01:00Across the mountains<p style="text-align: center;">We left the border with Spain and set of to climb over the south side of the Serra da Estrela mountains and back down the other side.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Our first stop was Paul, yes a place called Paul! A lovely mountainside village near to Covilhã, situated on the southern slope of the wide Estrela Mountain range, on the left bank of the pleasant Caia river.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We stayed there for the night at a spot that was on the app Park4Night. One of the comments said not to worry about the cobbled street and I can understand why! It is fairly narrow and steep, although looks worse from the top than it actually is! We went down, (and back up again the following day), with no problem.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This lovely village has been, inclusively, voted as the second most Portuguese village, being the first one Monsanto. It is worth to visit its winding narrow streets, surrounded by small houses in agricultural areas, with some interesting monuments.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi81kRBJZ4BhEpsKFA5hU1q-othqV0nqr2pc3MuuFVoG2ocW2OasWf-DSXhbqX0oaFSO_zrsl0Uf3ulqgfy2tuhECKc62u4FhpV1TihyEOCdgDkXXirdM0UYkb4h72veGxhtt0pQjmyf2yx864enktCoXKcQqrJIA6-oQ7oKLtNGMSWUyUQ/s1080/IMG_20220420_120316_359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi81kRBJZ4BhEpsKFA5hU1q-othqV0nqr2pc3MuuFVoG2ocW2OasWf-DSXhbqX0oaFSO_zrsl0Uf3ulqgfy2tuhECKc62u4FhpV1TihyEOCdgDkXXirdM0UYkb4h72veGxhtt0pQjmyf2yx864enktCoXKcQqrJIA6-oQ7oKLtNGMSWUyUQ/s320/IMG_20220420_120316_359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-qUac5ESnu56QE0DUF0AX6EUEKxiJBmLY_Dro7zvOZyDtKC0SSI4R4O1f_Yqw3n1Bp35sehkgmR3knG9he_Tr4pkNDzJK2HWW1B-A8pzxVZ7TsKQk9zXPxZWcmVrenSgkY2aXI6Hrd6prpXr7j9jvEWGJsS_DTTPOpaU9GWqeaNK_dNZ3w/s1080/IMG_20220420_120316_488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-qUac5ESnu56QE0DUF0AX6EUEKxiJBmLY_Dro7zvOZyDtKC0SSI4R4O1f_Yqw3n1Bp35sehkgmR3knG9he_Tr4pkNDzJK2HWW1B-A8pzxVZ7TsKQk9zXPxZWcmVrenSgkY2aXI6Hrd6prpXr7j9jvEWGJsS_DTTPOpaU9GWqeaNK_dNZ3w/s320/IMG_20220420_120316_488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZlb846tFfs3VqtxH2w4poboYLFIGWDgWeaOwt2uH-Yhprg5A_BbBQfP2UssW1jV29BhcTqJlP0B5AZrqAkbdpfdSu6yjfQlvHgay8XDsqvaPV7orfl4LlZGvrnLulSyLhAaMyZfl9FV2o60Ba6XLnWysy67BXGW5mlqqA6bAo6TjEEnw4w/s1080/IMG_20220420_120316_595.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZlb846tFfs3VqtxH2w4poboYLFIGWDgWeaOwt2uH-Yhprg5A_BbBQfP2UssW1jV29BhcTqJlP0B5AZrqAkbdpfdSu6yjfQlvHgay8XDsqvaPV7orfl4LlZGvrnLulSyLhAaMyZfl9FV2o60Ba6XLnWysy67BXGW5mlqqA6bAo6TjEEnw4w/s320/IMG_20220420_120316_595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The highest point that we travelled through on our way home was between Paul, and Poco de Broca. It is where the Castelo Branco district borders the Guarda district and our journey was all downhill from there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a bar/restaurant here which is very popular but we didn't stop there as we had a waterfall to go and see! Also it was incredibly windy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6TiAvY9tobnYzQ3R8Lhix7i2EqTS-Unaji6MHNoN3M5E1onYiAOpeiD5ngQKjs03e8X5S7smuJ6DrsitfpDjlm9AYiRP2-4AskTGhJkcwlIjJ9l_F4NJNf_LRdLw_NanQ2g75NfDhHR_efGHxYi6Uw5OZQzd-f8Nq23W0JAhR5CPHq9RCw/s1080/IMG_20220420_120944_335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6TiAvY9tobnYzQ3R8Lhix7i2EqTS-Unaji6MHNoN3M5E1onYiAOpeiD5ngQKjs03e8X5S7smuJ6DrsitfpDjlm9AYiRP2-4AskTGhJkcwlIjJ9l_F4NJNf_LRdLw_NanQ2g75NfDhHR_efGHxYi6Uw5OZQzd-f8Nq23W0JAhR5CPHq9RCw/s320/IMG_20220420_120944_335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzAo7CCVd87GgYf_9EarrQzFGiUoGQlrcQ0plT4AH_FVaVjbYzxeMtT7nZAuXOpchhRRJRC9Ncz8mH_MlyDOdv2MQn33BacWPSulRBu0Zx3Qqmk1rQYtBrHpYrARrgQT6MiW1se3F6ScRL10vIM5UbQQlXRYJ1tXmuPj2zh3WWkCSTBOmGQ/s1080/IMG_20220420_120944_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzAo7CCVd87GgYf_9EarrQzFGiUoGQlrcQ0plT4AH_FVaVjbYzxeMtT7nZAuXOpchhRRJRC9Ncz8mH_MlyDOdv2MQn33BacWPSulRBu0Zx3Qqmk1rQYtBrHpYrARrgQT6MiW1se3F6ScRL10vIM5UbQQlXRYJ1tXmuPj2zh3WWkCSTBOmGQ/s320/IMG_20220420_120944_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Poço da Broca Waterfall is a waterfall highlighted by its unparalleled beauty. It is located on the Alvôco stream, more specifically in Aldeia de Barriosa, in Vide. This small waterfall forms the pleasant river beach known for its tranquility.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This magnificent landscape is the result of the direct intervention of man who over 200 years ago realized that if the water course were diverted, it would be better used for agriculture. The areas of difficult cultivation, specifically in shale and in areas where the rivers themselves form tight curves, have undergone changes. In that same narrowing of the rivers with the use of drills, a cut was opened. Thus, the waters were diverted from their course and in this way flat agricultural land was obtained with easy irrigation. It is in this succession that the water falls to a considerable distance, forming a well, hence its name, “Poço da Broca" meaning drill well.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUDS1cXJfdrJs_tNTXVl-lsVzf4qxjUlAm76fjNtX7jctl3bcNzgYd17eRc05caRzk9EeFvvRrC2x-yhcUYPknqhQjGz9XB4slRl1KAtGx_vB52_1H1lGo_fe-B6l5cTROTEt35kQllsgYkDu21PMMVYmlVg3OE6C8juX6Yi7_DJKsYDpkQ/s1080/IMG_20220420_121921_918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUDS1cXJfdrJs_tNTXVl-lsVzf4qxjUlAm76fjNtX7jctl3bcNzgYd17eRc05caRzk9EeFvvRrC2x-yhcUYPknqhQjGz9XB4slRl1KAtGx_vB52_1H1lGo_fe-B6l5cTROTEt35kQllsgYkDu21PMMVYmlVg3OE6C8juX6Yi7_DJKsYDpkQ/s320/IMG_20220420_121921_918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirvSx4Mf32gJzppMCNEqdWNp4__l8O--wEndx_jpxF9W94R0KRuRmM38d6JwcEL81H_xflpULo79qt9p2uVstMcUyBRVtgLvHrs1ryN9cx1Bh6gPwFkBnIHw1BRnEhcrBQYYhgicSZ7GcDKqqsy1uJwwsQXabYYX6qIGyGnEoOrVaUQspZA/s1080/IMG_20220420_121922_016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirvSx4Mf32gJzppMCNEqdWNp4__l8O--wEndx_jpxF9W94R0KRuRmM38d6JwcEL81H_xflpULo79qt9p2uVstMcUyBRVtgLvHrs1ryN9cx1Bh6gPwFkBnIHw1BRnEhcrBQYYhgicSZ7GcDKqqsy1uJwwsQXabYYX6qIGyGnEoOrVaUQspZA/s320/IMG_20220420_121922_016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX1lUtgEzNBwa8vaVa1DktNK6UNrmZyXVnIVIQZ-bpwIuKUXXTDt7L871_QpfVOCoWvO_RoVB_PNLyFAo030n-3zhEZ4RsBPhxf4fNo1pEOWOl1nULSDTC3TcOXJDZCJ1gI9448Gop704TK8P72fPzWjLx-vVuCcA-BRNUz3IvnG2qgbzmA/s1080/IMG_20220420_121922_063.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX1lUtgEzNBwa8vaVa1DktNK6UNrmZyXVnIVIQZ-bpwIuKUXXTDt7L871_QpfVOCoWvO_RoVB_PNLyFAo030n-3zhEZ4RsBPhxf4fNo1pEOWOl1nULSDTC3TcOXJDZCJ1gI9448Gop704TK8P72fPzWjLx-vVuCcA-BRNUz3IvnG2qgbzmA/s320/IMG_20220420_121922_063.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">From here it was a short drive to our favourite restaurant where we had a lovely evening meal and stayed in their car park overnight before heading home in the morning!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-69203369603468487832022-04-19T12:19:00.003+01:002022-04-19T12:19:35.728+01:00A trip into border country<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We decided to head home via the very east of Portugal and the border with Spain, sometimes crossing over into Spain. It was a route neither of us had ever done before although we had crossed through between the two countries at some of the points we passed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a great decision and one of the most interesting trips we have taken. I would highly recommend it for people in campervans. There are loads of free aires along the route and spectacular views along with lots of interesting history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First stop was Ayamonte, literally the first town in Spain when driving east through the Algarve on the motorway. We couldn't have hoped for a better night as although carnival had been in the week they were still celebrating it on the weekend when we arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We immediately went and got tapas and soaked up the atmosphere of Spain and the Spanish people. A people really quite different from the Portuguese despite their closeness. We have both lived in Spain and have some Spanish language, Frank far more than me! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The town was seized away from Muslim control in 1240 during the reign of Sancho II of Portugal, and it was donated afterwards to the Order of Santiago. Ayamonte became part of the Crown of Castile in 1263.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fishing and salting of tuna and sardine was already practised in Ayamonte since the Middle Ages. The town suffered due to the War with Portugal and the plague pandemics in the 17th century. In the following century, Catalans and other eastern merchants installed in the town and gave impetus to the local canning and salt industry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The city, is also famous for his local festivities, the "Fiestas de las Angústias" in honor of their patron "Nuestra Señora de las Angústias". The festivities in the beginning of September are a moment of celebration not only from the Ayamontin population, but also for many Andalucians, and Portuguese. The festivities are graced by the local band, "Banda Ciudad de Ayamonte" and the Portuguese "Banda da Sociedade Filarmónica Progresso e Labor Samouquense" from the Portuguese village of Samouco.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSM6akVh8IyoOuFDdflSMuO43DqdKYViGjNhYKy_V2yMPHXNvNsimanGOfFtcGkXigbXBSfkoZAGLNwUYb1U-SNpOL_QYtp1slgD4yW5ainNydB0rUl8KZl4MjbZ8-MXG_qewgpxS0NxjpuvKz5u52GW17yTdtHz4GQYXx0sGgDBWQUMbjA/s1080/IMG_20220419_115826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1080" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSM6akVh8IyoOuFDdflSMuO43DqdKYViGjNhYKy_V2yMPHXNvNsimanGOfFtcGkXigbXBSfkoZAGLNwUYb1U-SNpOL_QYtp1slgD4yW5ainNydB0rUl8KZl4MjbZ8-MXG_qewgpxS0NxjpuvKz5u52GW17yTdtHz4GQYXx0sGgDBWQUMbjA/s320/IMG_20220419_115826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQbRVT3182WlPjbexV9d_tgqiyKiRvmGsc4b0Gb96p-oCm2FTeVmJm3oh3gOw_y_xILd8gooN1e5IQ3Ap73L6Vsh_ri5ggyfyeLTseXFWkXF5YO-iDE3T0CJtufSFvcVvmcyn6Y-6zpnC43YGmwVZOqpl26xShwyO3lC4ytedQmj-SnFgnQ/s1335/IMG_20220419_115906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQbRVT3182WlPjbexV9d_tgqiyKiRvmGsc4b0Gb96p-oCm2FTeVmJm3oh3gOw_y_xILd8gooN1e5IQ3Ap73L6Vsh_ri5ggyfyeLTseXFWkXF5YO-iDE3T0CJtufSFvcVvmcyn6Y-6zpnC43YGmwVZOqpl26xShwyO3lC4ytedQmj-SnFgnQ/s320/IMG_20220419_115906.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgHHjX7hdjClRz_dKhacbvFWRJIgcipl6wP1fVcStGawHUMYFXjzk2uh4uNQtuYGLK8GZHXjgkZlM5BQZxXllPFQf3s7bz8t6uJfjj86FY1wvVb8T0sLfdReotVx4_9S9MbOuvZXvAgPSxc0D9ZmPgYu1tO2JO9kY8HjVbfkcl5F5tbdeJg/s1080/IMG_20220419_115919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgHHjX7hdjClRz_dKhacbvFWRJIgcipl6wP1fVcStGawHUMYFXjzk2uh4uNQtuYGLK8GZHXjgkZlM5BQZxXllPFQf3s7bz8t6uJfjj86FY1wvVb8T0sLfdReotVx4_9S9MbOuvZXvAgPSxc0D9ZmPgYu1tO2JO9kY8HjVbfkcl5F5tbdeJg/s320/IMG_20220419_115919.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More tapas? Don't mind if we do! One of the things we adore about Spain is the tapas. Did we already say that before? Probably!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here in Sanlúcar de Guadiana we found vegetarian meatballs, known as Albondigas, they are usually a mixture of pork and beef and it's quite unusual to find a vegetarian version. These were delicious! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The village faces Alcoutim across the river. A ferry for foot passengers is available but to get from Sanlúcar to Alcoutim by road it involves a trip of about 70 kilometres (43 mi).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inhabitants are known as Sanluqueños. The village borders the Guadiana River, which is tidal at this point, but the higher parts of the village rise to an altitude of 149 metres (489 ft).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicghF7H4r2mEcrT0MZK3ih4diYI1djQtYB5flZ2kEUOH_rGkRCDh5CkeJh0A_3B4zzG1yzU_86GVCoFLpdKDSO4pQmHmsL3q2DaSqiqFuHzBlarah-qZE-VPrjzKRoVQW1BinGlf-Az0skTZ2ikv8UTztGOThoZW-3HW1HhWhKftp9OdwkhQ/s1337/IMG_20220419_115935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicghF7H4r2mEcrT0MZK3ih4diYI1djQtYB5flZ2kEUOH_rGkRCDh5CkeJh0A_3B4zzG1yzU_86GVCoFLpdKDSO4pQmHmsL3q2DaSqiqFuHzBlarah-qZE-VPrjzKRoVQW1BinGlf-Az0skTZ2ikv8UTztGOThoZW-3HW1HhWhKftp9OdwkhQ/s320/IMG_20220419_115935.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdES3JeM-4XJlldXDv91y73F8y7-MtSmAPcHqwIfMNxWdHo-W3szTdXOM4a6zRaN4hC16O-4hgX_HG7kjjGcK34G8eOqzb3lRJbV_lz-mij1waBjL_tgQoBEkh-uBWX8Xz7b8uMsKHMcI7AI2O8vr7tT75CG5eFrFLG7nub8tO5l_2wzkRA/s1219/IMG_20220419_115950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdES3JeM-4XJlldXDv91y73F8y7-MtSmAPcHqwIfMNxWdHo-W3szTdXOM4a6zRaN4hC16O-4hgX_HG7kjjGcK34G8eOqzb3lRJbV_lz-mij1waBjL_tgQoBEkh-uBWX8Xz7b8uMsKHMcI7AI2O8vr7tT75CG5eFrFLG7nub8tO5l_2wzkRA/s320/IMG_20220419_115950.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vqB14w6gcSRJQPCwd6RXBdBzZrtm9H-yezbiw878QusnIxsMPixfnC1HaCxn8cvlVWj1rKc3uRzhLezFvd6CI-sUz-vN0ffw9ZyKm3XxNcolNEwqsvr1R8NfJIxj-Lwn0zPij1uuY3Fi_El06PIinHA8GS3n9xgZddI5zjQOUSUF51CpJA/s1331/IMG_20220419_120006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vqB14w6gcSRJQPCwd6RXBdBzZrtm9H-yezbiw878QusnIxsMPixfnC1HaCxn8cvlVWj1rKc3uRzhLezFvd6CI-sUz-vN0ffw9ZyKm3XxNcolNEwqsvr1R8NfJIxj-Lwn0zPij1uuY3Fi_El06PIinHA8GS3n9xgZddI5zjQOUSUF51CpJA/s320/IMG_20220419_120006.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back into Portugal after our tapas feasting in Spain! I've been to many megalithic sites, there are pages of them on my website, (<a href="http://www.positive-evolution.org" target="_blank">Positive Evolution</a>), but I've never been to one that has been moved from its original location, until Xerez!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Xerez Cromlech is a megalithic complex that is believed to date back to the 4th or 5th millennia BCE. It is situated near the town of Monsaraz in the Évora district of the Alentejo region of Portugal, close to the Spanish border.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The present site of the cromlech is not its original location. Due to the construction of the Alqueva Dam for hydroelectric purposes, which led to the flooding of the original site from 2002, it was transferred from an area that is now under water to its present site close to the Orada Convent. This was the only monument to be moved, with the dam leading to the disappearance of prehistoric engravings and the Roman Castelo da Lousa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although it has much in common with megalithic stone circles, the Xerez cromlech is, in fact, square. There has been some dispute about the authenticity of the square layout or even whether it is a cromlech at all. When first discovered, the stones had been widely dispersed due to agricultural work and an initial topographical survey only identified 12 stones that could be part of a cromlech, although the present layout has 55. As the original site is now under water it is unlikely that the dispute will ever be resolved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The reconstruction of the cromlech was carried out on 24-25 June 2004 to coincide with the summer solstice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSDjxzjofkUf-uYPjA316QSArxrSvospkdRlePiK61hB6Sd1OlwUfB0GMw48fPmxlCsb6AcWWkbKS8U82UAaenFOyb1RSrBmRt-xr--s6ZAgfavEdRqwgSna-giQuqX7vym00uYzxSGPJF8oznqRcSfdASMsL3ES5GH4i26isu5eCfDwLLw/s1080/IMG_20220419_120019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1080" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSDjxzjofkUf-uYPjA316QSArxrSvospkdRlePiK61hB6Sd1OlwUfB0GMw48fPmxlCsb6AcWWkbKS8U82UAaenFOyb1RSrBmRt-xr--s6ZAgfavEdRqwgSna-giQuqX7vym00uYzxSGPJF8oznqRcSfdASMsL3ES5GH4i26isu5eCfDwLLw/s320/IMG_20220419_120019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few minutes walk from the Xerez Cromlech is the Convento da Orada. Now falling into disrepair again it is a magnificent building which makes it all the more a shame that nothing is being done with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The foundation of the Convento da Orada dates back to 1670 and was due to the Descalços Agostinhos, who housed it until the beginning of the 19th century. XIX.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its construction began in 1700, by prior João Calvário, and at the time it remained unfinished until it was finally inaugurated in 1741. The carving that covers the interior of the church, completed in 1755, retains part of its original design of ornaments and plant festoons, architecture and tables.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Convento da Orada was eventually left until it was nothing more than a ruin. Between 1988 and 1993, the foundation's activity focused almost exclusively on the restoration and rehabilitation of the space itself. With respect for traditional techniques and the layout of the building, the restoration works at the Convento da Orada constituted a true school for the recovery of the heritage, which provided hundreds of undergraduate and Master's students in Architecture with an essential theoretical and practical learning experience in traditional building techniques. The revitalization of the Convento da Orada also included the recovery of all its surroundings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will this grand building ever become something again? It would make a wonderful hotel!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS82U5HQ4YuSUVm5y5WLmS42-P3WK4FKkw6Cev5pELIp_AgDmD28VDlxWZLIFMx1n9gPLRTwHAMXjwEokBTbAjAGXOesJvKbtnMO5TmBodf8g-jRpFjQIbgEEXoDb-hezaYUuFm517K8ntP9sBucIQzzwPZupq0Dx4bX6klr5Ylgd3rrcIRw/s1080/IMG_20220419_120040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS82U5HQ4YuSUVm5y5WLmS42-P3WK4FKkw6Cev5pELIp_AgDmD28VDlxWZLIFMx1n9gPLRTwHAMXjwEokBTbAjAGXOesJvKbtnMO5TmBodf8g-jRpFjQIbgEEXoDb-hezaYUuFm517K8ntP9sBucIQzzwPZupq0Dx4bX6klr5Ylgd3rrcIRw/s320/IMG_20220419_120040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsaraz is a medieval village in the Alentejo on the border with Spain. It's a place that maintains the magic from ancient times like few others in the world. Made of lime and schist, this place whispers to us, between the echo of our footsteps in its streets. A lot of magnificent stories could be told about its courageous kings, Knights Templar, brave people and dames of strength of character.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suspended in time, the historic village, one of the oldest in Portugal, is a mandatory destination to add to your list of places to visit in Alentejo. Especially after, in 2017, it won the category “Monument Villages” in the competition 7 Maravilhas de Portugal – Aldeias (7 wonders of Portugal – Villages).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsaraz shows signs of having been a fortified settlement during prehistoric times. It has always had strong military and religious influences, impeccably preserving time until these days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The privileged location of this small village, located on the top of the hill and then with a view over the river Guadiana and the frontier with Spain, made it highly coveted by the peoples which disputed it. Once called Saris or Sarish, Monsaraz was taken from the Muslims by Geraldo Sem Pavor (Fearless Geraldo), in 1167, in a military incursion departing from Evora.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a later defeat which occurred in Badajoz, Spain, King Afonso Henriques again lost control of Monsaraz to the Moors. However, in 1232, King Sancho II recovered it once and for all. With the help and support of the Templars, to whom he finally donates the beautiful Alentejo village. The marks left by the Templar Order, later Order of Christ, still live among the castle walls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMVuO2N7HC3hewtOimTrl50PZM4LBCnftubv_9Ay9aEvzyNStFJIo9JPgzksKhK_U1sagAu2uSg2xaP_ZDtQnCdHd8V3COIHsxB68OiPF3F-3uZ8Zb8SXTnyAhvuM-ClETolJkhF2H70NXResI89HRhJ-xnn9R73vFDshCscp4yQcja_0Kw/s1080/IMG_20220419_120054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMVuO2N7HC3hewtOimTrl50PZM4LBCnftubv_9Ay9aEvzyNStFJIo9JPgzksKhK_U1sagAu2uSg2xaP_ZDtQnCdHd8V3COIHsxB68OiPF3F-3uZ8Zb8SXTnyAhvuM-ClETolJkhF2H70NXResI89HRhJ-xnn9R73vFDshCscp4yQcja_0Kw/s320/IMG_20220419_120054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2ZKC8hj26ykfyEowgAx-JzzjJBNNnFj89FADk1ZlVtu_fet7ZFwOP8rWzNm1XtRPBm8PlcUsu0g7qWQQZMZTivzLP6xpJ9holD8cx1TS3hhk0J6gI8LS4YMu4xvrMYpt4RLOfTRJI44_XVe-ku0T3eAhdSA5kAl2IgUIAzn8za_sRp6OiQ/s1080/IMG_20220419_120108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1080" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2ZKC8hj26ykfyEowgAx-JzzjJBNNnFj89FADk1ZlVtu_fet7ZFwOP8rWzNm1XtRPBm8PlcUsu0g7qWQQZMZTivzLP6xpJ9holD8cx1TS3hhk0J6gI8LS4YMu4xvrMYpt4RLOfTRJI44_XVe-ku0T3eAhdSA5kAl2IgUIAzn8za_sRp6OiQ/s320/IMG_20220419_120108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsaraz Castle was built by King Dinis, in the 14th century, it is classified as a National Monument of Portugal. Around 1830, and after its military functions stopped, the old Praça de Armas (formation ground) of the castle started to be used as some sort of bullfighting ring. Today, it serves this purpose mainly during the anual festivities in honour of Nosso Senhor Jesus dos Passos (our Lord Jesus Christ).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsaraz Castle is a unique touristic spot in Portugal. It is one of the most splendid places to look at the wonderful Alqueva Dam. This is the largest artificial lake in Europe and one of the greatest Portuguese constructions of the century. A special place where you can even rent a houseboat and cruise the waters (no license required).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl7HmTcklSOGpFDsrrYAbP1xH1NA68ZQDNuWDAssnkdK-Ch2FS1DjbxdDd49QIcsRZeVWNdAfllem70YrlBl9vOEGs_0LJ42NRt11Ero_6wX7SzTt8VvJYtEGFGaQpc4Wk1ge7K9Fs0mUEVpKH0vXa7xshPyzfF3ZlwF96Q6vIjkmP5ykvg/s1080/IMG_20220419_120124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="1080" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl7HmTcklSOGpFDsrrYAbP1xH1NA68ZQDNuWDAssnkdK-Ch2FS1DjbxdDd49QIcsRZeVWNdAfllem70YrlBl9vOEGs_0LJ42NRt11Ero_6wX7SzTt8VvJYtEGFGaQpc4Wk1ge7K9Fs0mUEVpKH0vXa7xshPyzfF3ZlwF96Q6vIjkmP5ykvg/s320/IMG_20220419_120124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Novelty attractions like the “world’s largest tree” or the “world’s biggest ball of twine” can be a magnet for tourists. Not so with the “World’s Shortest International Bridge,” a small footbridge that measures just 3.2 meters in length and crosses the Portuguese-Spanish border.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bridge connects the Portuguese village of Várzea Grande in the Alentejo with the neighbouring Spanish village of El Marco in Extremadura. As with much of the border areas there is a language spoken here known as Portuñol. As this has developed in different areas independently it is not one language. There are also versions along the Brazilian border.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The border here has never really separated the two villages. When there was still border checks between the two countries locals from either side crossed the river on a makeshift bridge made from planks. Smuggling between the two countries was common: the Portuguese sold the Spanish coffee and towels while the Spanish sold knives and wine in return. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A quick Google search reveals that there are several other bridges (or bridge owners) claiming to be the world’s shortest international bridge. Despite their claims none are actually as short as this one!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfuQLugTH6uqEeaI7LshUnsexHtfEhUypmgnt1GQ_Pjd8c2VyE4OkGMhpW9CNXEBRVFCsdJYQ6tRlf3ONVq0WytNmpHZFrxVZBaGYqWVXVXTtKKw_HXBKJHlFy0iWLTpScXH2_UwnHAbR4H_e9t00zX9mKjIbX_LbVFB9N1ufYacqqnxviw/s1336/IMG_20220419_120145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfuQLugTH6uqEeaI7LshUnsexHtfEhUypmgnt1GQ_Pjd8c2VyE4OkGMhpW9CNXEBRVFCsdJYQ6tRlf3ONVq0WytNmpHZFrxVZBaGYqWVXVXTtKKw_HXBKJHlFy0iWLTpScXH2_UwnHAbR4H_e9t00zX9mKjIbX_LbVFB9N1ufYacqqnxviw/s320/IMG_20220419_120145.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our last stop in Spain was really just to eat some more tapas! There was a free aire next to the bullring and we didn't actually go very far before we found a bar and had a snack!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the 16th to the 18th century Valencia de Alcántara was a celebrated border fortress; it was captured by the Portuguese in 1664 and 1698.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Battle of Valencia de Alcántara took place in 1762 as part of the Spanish invasion of Portugal. Portuguese-British troops under John Burgoyne attacked and captured the town, which was a Spanish supply base, setting back the invasion and contributing to the British victory that year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beginning of the nineteenth century, traditionally associated with the beginnings of the modern age, is particularly troublesome in the case of Valencia de Alcántara as it was caught up in two important conflicts, including the fleeting conflict known as the War of the Oranges (1801) or the War of Independence. However, due to its location it became the second most important custom house for direct traffic between the two kingdoms, after Badajoz, and had a flourishing trade in farm produce of all kinds.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZRSY3Gx1BW1ah4HdWBqiW_nnvkNSFW9wWKpSpfaESsRoyRPCOGbUrf0vUPpieVo53q3k1mqRQQjhwCJDI_mZKchR6VEKcb4Qbj064GnUt4fdNdNBEBQNuiGfagPKUov6chJluUjklc_dA7VarhXoV4nVeG-XWKGq8QsVnUWw2VoCCyS73A/s1080/IMG_20220419_120200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZRSY3Gx1BW1ah4HdWBqiW_nnvkNSFW9wWKpSpfaESsRoyRPCOGbUrf0vUPpieVo53q3k1mqRQQjhwCJDI_mZKchR6VEKcb4Qbj064GnUt4fdNdNBEBQNuiGfagPKUov6chJluUjklc_dA7VarhXoV4nVeG-XWKGq8QsVnUWw2VoCCyS73A/s320/IMG_20220419_120200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had visited the amazing hill top village & castle of Marvão in 2011, but Frank had never been. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. There is a free aire for campervans where overnight is allowed, no services & it's not very level but nice to be able to stay here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perched on a quartzite crag of the Serra de São Mamede, Marvão's name is derived from an 8th-century Muwallad rebel, named Ibn Marwan. Ibn Marwan, who constructed the Castle of Marvão, likely on the site of an earlier Roman watchtower, as a power base when establishing an independent statelet ("emirate", duchy), covering much of modern-day Portugal, during the Emirate of Cordoba (884-931 CE). The castle & walled village were further fortified through the centuries, notably under Sancho II of Portugal (13th century) & Denis of Portugal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The village has generated significant tourist interest in recent years. It was included in the #1 New York Times bestselling book, 1000 Places to see Before you Die. Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago wrote of the village, "From Marvão one can see the entire land ... It is understandable that from this place, high up in the keep at Marvão Castle, visitors may respectfully murmur, 'How great is the world'."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the 1950s, author Huldine V. Beamish wrote of Marvão, "There is an atmosphere about the district (of Marvão) that is very ancient. At times you have the same peculiar feelings as those evoked by Stonehenge & that amazing druid monument at Callernish in the Isle of Lewis. Picking your way along the steep stony pathways, you would not be at all surprised to meet a Phoenician trader or Roman Soldier. It would be the most natural thing in the world."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An annual international classical music festival, under the artistic direction of German conductor Christoph Poppen, was launched in Marvão in July 2014. The village also hosts an international film festival, Periferías, in August each year. Other annual festivals in Marvão include 'Al-Mossassa'- a celebration of the town's Moorish past, held jointly with the Spanish city of Badajoz (also founded by Ibn Marwan), in early October, & a major Chestnut Festival in early November.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOBl4tJ_GhwjLzN5eQv7eQie0tuGk_OhzjtQ7okQ_fqPlRyuladySjawIHQcZiboFKBHuDD7p3_BJmEfxa2xJgPbQcNTB_JiQgFLC-DY_L03zRKCwak-ZtPSj_TQHeKkSlXf8fRV4VIE10nzoWGzQ7pmOjbjNvyoHQf2Hn7cB03zCbinxHw/s1080/IMG_20220419_120213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOBl4tJ_GhwjLzN5eQv7eQie0tuGk_OhzjtQ7okQ_fqPlRyuladySjawIHQcZiboFKBHuDD7p3_BJmEfxa2xJgPbQcNTB_JiQgFLC-DY_L03zRKCwak-ZtPSj_TQHeKkSlXf8fRV4VIE10nzoWGzQ7pmOjbjNvyoHQf2Hn7cB03zCbinxHw/s320/IMG_20220419_120213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQtklv3H9EDY59MzzpDETCSqe-MgTIjIhnpfyOlCKmerhziMpIAXCob81OZr1xgM0QNiEnTZtS7QoYuezU44mO8jNI_AIzaKRIKPjUGGyM7kRmpn9eWv0qA7MPR8qmwbZpK8JnbOIcr2vRQd799cuNslXP_5OhVHNzpN19d7_hkVEMAGTSw/s1080/IMG_20220419_120233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQtklv3H9EDY59MzzpDETCSqe-MgTIjIhnpfyOlCKmerhziMpIAXCob81OZr1xgM0QNiEnTZtS7QoYuezU44mO8jNI_AIzaKRIKPjUGGyM7kRmpn9eWv0qA7MPR8qmwbZpK8JnbOIcr2vRQd799cuNslXP_5OhVHNzpN19d7_hkVEMAGTSw/s320/IMG_20220419_120233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Castle of Marvão is a well-preserved medieval castle at one end of the village. It's €3 to look around & well worth it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The construction of the castle at Marvão was attributed to 9th century Islamic knight, Ibn Marwan, who began to dwell in the castle between 876 & 877. By the beginning of the 10th century, the settlement was designated Amaia de Ibn Maruán or, alternately, the fortress of Amaia. Christian forces loyal to King D. Afonso I (1112–1185) conquered the region & town from Moorish forces sometime between 1160 and 1166.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the demarcation of Castelo Branco in 1214, Marvão was already included within Portuguese territory. The first foral (charter) was issued in 1226 by King D. Sancho II (1223–1248), done to ensure the development of the unpopulated outpost, against repeated attacks from the Kingdom of Castile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is plenty more history to read on Wikipedia about the castle if you are interested!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In 1938, the DGMEN (Directorate General for Buildings and National Monuments) began working on repairing the walls, staircases and battlements. In proceeding years until the present day, there were other projects to improve the condition of the castle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my favourite parts of the castle was the huge rain-collecting cistern, used to supply water to both the keep and wider castle in the event of siege. The rectangular cistern includes a vaulted ceiling supported by ten stone ribs. Rainwater was collected in a reservoir above the vault and channeled to the interior of the cistern by three openings, which are covered today. Water also collected through another access in the northwest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEX3XBUWuDFBGwy4gOuYxrva_ksemD69w34wm8WOTc2wUOG4q5qZjBgjBVpdTbEUYlzh8Q3Xj0uOSyyrw9zF0C71SYPo6AAhxxkW-eFJlW0zxSgop9eE1jAiOLUszHquonsCm6ddtzVe7iTa8kEiaNma98eXfcpZd8qk0lQBTaoNouqHCAg/s1080/IMG_20220419_120250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEX3XBUWuDFBGwy4gOuYxrva_ksemD69w34wm8WOTc2wUOG4q5qZjBgjBVpdTbEUYlzh8Q3Xj0uOSyyrw9zF0C71SYPo6AAhxxkW-eFJlW0zxSgop9eE1jAiOLUszHquonsCm6ddtzVe7iTa8kEiaNma98eXfcpZd8qk0lQBTaoNouqHCAg/s320/IMG_20220419_120250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJLlUc4bCYitqefuYZGIeJTbUYqo6DD-zU4HmWVS9TBlDThFCPvsz7lz1z8BKXhpgv0BUYjsQ55eZYHEWTDTImDzRwIZ7y5ATbdTYXIln_0ZixY28jyMjvgmFOepy8GwGXlXiiWfGmd0UnGqdFc9FNKyNkO7lY1Wfn_SUu15SP7rBTFhnpQ/s1080/IMG_20220419_120307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1080" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJLlUc4bCYitqefuYZGIeJTbUYqo6DD-zU4HmWVS9TBlDThFCPvsz7lz1z8BKXhpgv0BUYjsQ55eZYHEWTDTImDzRwIZ7y5ATbdTYXIln_0ZixY28jyMjvgmFOepy8GwGXlXiiWfGmd0UnGqdFc9FNKyNkO7lY1Wfn_SUu15SP7rBTFhnpQ/s320/IMG_20220419_120307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0PKpCsiRqpF4PGNWcEi5tleevbIQ3X5knz7hWrrbBDfdSh9uw1m1-r0w84-i_k2mSrn9YYs2WQg0b1dJ7Z3sShIAbBpPWLq6sS1WkXqa1r1LI0wta0j3urCAGMOakXuEWjQyKWI-dXHQdpjcvO0_qOOIGw0qdHy99mYZmJXPp67rxUcsbw/s1080/IMG_20220419_120420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0PKpCsiRqpF4PGNWcEi5tleevbIQ3X5knz7hWrrbBDfdSh9uw1m1-r0w84-i_k2mSrn9YYs2WQg0b1dJ7Z3sShIAbBpPWLq6sS1WkXqa1r1LI0wta0j3urCAGMOakXuEWjQyKWI-dXHQdpjcvO0_qOOIGw0qdHy99mYZmJXPp67rxUcsbw/s320/IMG_20220419_120420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then started heading inland back home, that will be the next post!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-69722273233662028752022-04-18T17:33:00.001+01:002022-04-18T17:33:15.001+01:00The Algarve<div style="text-align: center;">We always enjoy the south-west corner of the Algarve. The main town Lagos is vibrant and lively in the summer, but all year round has some things going on. It is touristy but not too much, it has a great beach, gorgeous restaurants, fabulous nightlife, and is in close driving distance of other amazing beaches along the south and west coast, traditional villages and national parks. The nearby town, Sagres is a surfers paradise with great surfing to be had on the west beach and tranquil swimming on the south beach. Also nearby is the more traditional town of Aljezur, and inland is Monchique and Silves, both worth a visit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We lived down here for quite a while, some of 2018, most of 2019 and half of 2020 so know it very well. We don't really like the rest of the coast along the Algarve, it's just a bit too touristy for us generally, although there are a few nice places. Inland Algarve can also be beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We returned to one of our old park ups at the marina in Lagos which has easy access to the town and beach and also there are facilities nearby at the marina complex.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fR-aI4rvmf3nTz2mfnmLCbSwWTdRplMHQ_2l1kYJmQ6oZ4Npxw2uV_--yj0rALyqD1GbZEsGHP3wZQRl-OIh-wfWLSK6cJNy9qGWT2gsdhQ2bbpVwilbDvX1K9QY90OUZ-OPM7ZwIoyhd99bBZ8Q9uYbhyzM78zwpkIrT4tyh273xrARmA/s1080/IMG_20220418_125234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1080" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fR-aI4rvmf3nTz2mfnmLCbSwWTdRplMHQ_2l1kYJmQ6oZ4Npxw2uV_--yj0rALyqD1GbZEsGHP3wZQRl-OIh-wfWLSK6cJNy9qGWT2gsdhQ2bbpVwilbDvX1K9QY90OUZ-OPM7ZwIoyhd99bBZ8Q9uYbhyzM78zwpkIrT4tyh273xrARmA/s320/IMG_20220418_125234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYAq5oGApeE7ukK_aFYGLesGMmrFppTPhUyd-EUcMq1hoL3gDmCrl8u38GuBE8LxJ7QwSg1R_q5r5tNNIPa8QXdL4sp_YfoDecUCi3_-PLpsrUNzI0iik_vCtamskCX3eZwjTXx-MbE5DB1bMLr2DwqeuUhUf94Zt1NMgBvBNQMeqVRXKdw/s1080/IMG_20220418_125312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1080" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYAq5oGApeE7ukK_aFYGLesGMmrFppTPhUyd-EUcMq1hoL3gDmCrl8u38GuBE8LxJ7QwSg1R_q5r5tNNIPa8QXdL4sp_YfoDecUCi3_-PLpsrUNzI0iik_vCtamskCX3eZwjTXx-MbE5DB1bMLr2DwqeuUhUf94Zt1NMgBvBNQMeqVRXKdw/s320/IMG_20220418_125312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a few problems with the police in the town of Lagos. Although we didn't get moved from the spot pictured above, we did get moved from a car park further out of town and from the marina/train station carpark. Both times we were woken at gone midnight and told to move!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were told to go to the aire in the town. This aire used to be an official campervan aire and was €4 for 24hrs. It got closed during the worst of the pandemic but was now back open in an unofficial capacity. It was free with clean water available, it seemed perfect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Within a week the council decided they were going to close it again and sent the police to evict the 100-200 campervans there. A weird policy as so many people will never come back to Lagos with its unfriendly policy to campervans.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gVJsYRV5iga0XX9w9IyuWcFXUvWpZ0rKiHIxwG5cVBjaXzEFEAg2mIX4NbSwtjonHS5Ytf2tnwGn5i-V-brq_AF30dOq7BfdRtH618c_p8n7ClTk11sD3Eb_69W4tpe57pUHZ2orOyu8ZUBm7RObBtr_FLxhL6-P8-7ICbxaZBjGTGN9UA/s1080/IMG_20220418_125329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1080" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gVJsYRV5iga0XX9w9IyuWcFXUvWpZ0rKiHIxwG5cVBjaXzEFEAg2mIX4NbSwtjonHS5Ytf2tnwGn5i-V-brq_AF30dOq7BfdRtH618c_p8n7ClTk11sD3Eb_69W4tpe57pUHZ2orOyu8ZUBm7RObBtr_FLxhL6-P8-7ICbxaZBjGTGN9UA/s320/IMG_20220418_125329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We know the area so well that we didn't have a problem finding other places to park where we were not bothered, but for many I imagine they headed straight out of the area.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZttUAVgktIF-0czBjZT6axhFDIkEFbvUyZ0j59k-8a7gWL50yZaBVt5oZJUv8THiWg1FGF4o-6qykQxjn2C1UF9AxdyaALdwb3kUDde2vCiEcH8dQYZ693JnKVMRfRe_Zekn9jeG1hRsr_MImCpEHFZdET9L4rYTcKaWDwPcqcTunju7Tw/s1080/IMG_20220418_125347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1080" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZttUAVgktIF-0czBjZT6axhFDIkEFbvUyZ0j59k-8a7gWL50yZaBVt5oZJUv8THiWg1FGF4o-6qykQxjn2C1UF9AxdyaALdwb3kUDde2vCiEcH8dQYZ693JnKVMRfRe_Zekn9jeG1hRsr_MImCpEHFZdET9L4rYTcKaWDwPcqcTunju7Tw/s320/IMG_20220418_125347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We visited Sagres for a couple of days where we caught one of those great west coast sunsets and had some great beach time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GQTaA6rpzHrQY7HO--iOD5U6eJS-1oYJ6bl2xM-SFIABtHOY4Iz_YmkomjSjnxP3QFx4u164Qx05TUTcW_H8aNU8p7ib1pymQs0fdLzt7vtNn6R1GnSbEKSuTwupIcpGM3DxCbwry1TvpJ4SWAQyaElHmBZX-OEPE5kW14k9XAuj-W00bw/s1080/IMG_20220418_125406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GQTaA6rpzHrQY7HO--iOD5U6eJS-1oYJ6bl2xM-SFIABtHOY4Iz_YmkomjSjnxP3QFx4u164Qx05TUTcW_H8aNU8p7ib1pymQs0fdLzt7vtNn6R1GnSbEKSuTwupIcpGM3DxCbwry1TvpJ4SWAQyaElHmBZX-OEPE5kW14k9XAuj-W00bw/s320/IMG_20220418_125406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIakUejRFAWccYWU6HVxcZRirqC7Hy7VlK63X_pV4HwMt2jCREmDke4artnGDgtYOQIr3ZQW3Oo6Z3iE_QZXTmJiqdCtF9GrkyNuc5qv-mKEkvmrI7PNS1VfZRicVhfKDuADctTjaE0FZEdjSPxBTOvKd217-IMe5FIxb628ZMLJYf-H2Qew/s1080/IMG_20220418_125423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1080" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIakUejRFAWccYWU6HVxcZRirqC7Hy7VlK63X_pV4HwMt2jCREmDke4artnGDgtYOQIr3ZQW3Oo6Z3iE_QZXTmJiqdCtF9GrkyNuc5qv-mKEkvmrI7PNS1VfZRicVhfKDuADctTjaE0FZEdjSPxBTOvKd217-IMe5FIxb628ZMLJYf-H2Qew/s320/IMG_20220418_125423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also visited Barão de São João, an alternative village that has attracted artists, musicians and alternative folk since the 1970s. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz_2AbF2QMaD4psLRr84wPHaIHWWAdcIPMoFUv7zI1lcy9ZTKAc3I09NNoC6a8sCEVr1Xmzuk8K3nGgbP1YZcFGzslUNeRP55U-k8rLqjPCDNzkrPzzn5_-sVx9DL01HqLTBmhAI7aoJ6_2UNpZr2oz7Pqj_Ll_sy0J9kizrqCmok58uCQg/s1080/IMG_20220418_125442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz_2AbF2QMaD4psLRr84wPHaIHWWAdcIPMoFUv7zI1lcy9ZTKAc3I09NNoC6a8sCEVr1Xmzuk8K3nGgbP1YZcFGzslUNeRP55U-k8rLqjPCDNzkrPzzn5_-sVx9DL01HqLTBmhAI7aoJ6_2UNpZr2oz7Pqj_Ll_sy0J9kizrqCmok58uCQg/s320/IMG_20220418_125442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent about 3 weeks in the Algarve and the best part was seeing friends that we hadn't seen for a year. We also really enjoyed the beaches but decided we wouldn't want to move back here again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-54393845706782951352022-04-18T12:29:00.001+01:002022-04-18T12:29:56.271+01:00Trip down to the Algarve<p style="text-align: center;">After getting back from cold, rainy Ireland in mid January the most important job we had was to prune the trees and the vines. They hadn't been done for a few years and so desperately needed it, and we needed to do it while it was still winter and nothing was growing!</p><p style="text-align: center;">That took a few weeks, I didn't really take many photos as I was too busy pruning! Anyway more of the quinta will appear later in the blog, for now let's catch up with the road trip we did down to the Algarve for some winter sun!</p><p style="text-align: center;">In mid February we decided to go and have a month in the south before the spring started springing! There would be lots to do on the quinta in the spring and we were desperate to get in the sea!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Our first stop was the town of Tomar. Tomar was created inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, constructed under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, the fourth Grand Master of the Knights Templar of Portugal in the late 12th century.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomar was the last Templar town to be commissioned for construction and one of Portugal's historical jewels. The town was especially important in the 15th century when it was a center of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Knights Templar in Portugal.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomar lies in the most fertile region of Portugal, and one of the most fertile in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula: the Ribatejo ("by the river Tagus") meadows. It is located in the district of Santarém. The predominant landscape is agricultural, consisting of olive, pine and fig trees.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tomar is also the capital of the Médio Tejo (Mid-Tagus river) region. The Nabão River cuts across what was the ancient city of Nabantia: its inhabitants are called Nabantinos.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Festa dos Tabuleiros (Trays Festival), an ancient tradition in Tomar, is the most important festival celebrated in the city, attracting people from all over the world. The festival is held every four years, the last being held in June and July 2015. The local population parades in pairs with the girls carrying tabuleiros on their heads. The tabuleiro is made of 30 stacked pieces of bread, either in 6 rows of 5 or 5 rows of 6, decorated with flowers. At the top of the tabuleiro is a crown which normally contains either a white dove, symbolising the Holy Spirit, or the esfera armilar (armillary sphere), a symbol of the historical Portuguese maritime expansion. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPLOhxnG3JI7Dq5qw8wGuHhTyllb3hVsLyED3pd-VgoKHUX2coMh53vL01nucELVxlHjDbwUvtu9oZ1JxwUZpi7Lwcy3a-2g2V_odzfaQVqKHPFUtAIKrOgyVbRH9zRX1pVXSLnIPJsDQm_JempEgYZYcsDezqePi5rl_5b_CyV08TTSuHA/s1080/IMG_20220418_121455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPLOhxnG3JI7Dq5qw8wGuHhTyllb3hVsLyED3pd-VgoKHUX2coMh53vL01nucELVxlHjDbwUvtu9oZ1JxwUZpi7Lwcy3a-2g2V_odzfaQVqKHPFUtAIKrOgyVbRH9zRX1pVXSLnIPJsDQm_JempEgYZYcsDezqePi5rl_5b_CyV08TTSuHA/s320/IMG_20220418_121455.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you are looking for something to do on a winter's day, something a bit different to the rest of the west coast of Portugal try Cais Palafitico Carrasqueira.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Carrasqueira stilt pier is one of the most visited places in the county. This masterpiece of popular architecture, built in the 50s and 60s, is unique in Europe and is built on irregular wooden pegs, apparently fragile, which serve as a dock for the fishing boats that dock there. The pier continues to fulfill the mission for which it was built: to allow fishermen access to boats, even during low tide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great place for photography particularly at sunrise and sunset when the tide is in. We were there for sunset but the tide was out, take a look online at some of the stunning photographs people have taken there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are opportunities there to buy seafood direct from the fishermen and it is perfectly ok to park there for a night.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-J7XfP5vRneJh7Czoc-8Tt2GFuQSBSZZqDHM3-Zv4yeVIt58hhCmEOKv-oBckfg9PaEOHWSanlG9reLD80XVd0GAvo_8M3_R19xd45lD3z1xF_Ly_UgFKEfD1ywU16-kZYx_4imQoYzf1mr9Jc3ODIuPeL8nmjzoSLsEs4CcVZLVGx1mGQ/s1080/IMG_20220418_121510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1080" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-J7XfP5vRneJh7Czoc-8Tt2GFuQSBSZZqDHM3-Zv4yeVIt58hhCmEOKv-oBckfg9PaEOHWSanlG9reLD80XVd0GAvo_8M3_R19xd45lD3z1xF_Ly_UgFKEfD1ywU16-kZYx_4imQoYzf1mr9Jc3ODIuPeL8nmjzoSLsEs4CcVZLVGx1mGQ/s320/IMG_20220418_121510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the west coast after you have got past the capital and the hustle and bustle but before you get to Sines and proper Alentejo country there is a beautiful tidal lagoon called Lagoa de Santo André. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a protected area and you can see the many different birds that feed and live around here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As well as the lagoon there is a beautiful sandy beach stretching for miles and some nice walkways through the dunes </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are also bars and restaurants in the village and a car park that is on Google maps as a parking place for campervans. We stayed overnight with 6 other vans with no problem.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jJDMQq65nDnx9_eXsBvC2yEOxrqBd1RGn9CDIDqPDC8wgOMgo8mIa1V57zy3I2tIRiCrXRQLKmFyviVEJhDlifV_jWhH4Yj9BFVIijYuL9BpP-1KA7Qn6EWqu47ML2Mc9c8jNyAaDIOpqbD8ooGUzDw3tG4P-Cg2QXtP0ZsPtN2lt2MirQ/s1080/IMG_20220418_121525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1080" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jJDMQq65nDnx9_eXsBvC2yEOxrqBd1RGn9CDIDqPDC8wgOMgo8mIa1V57zy3I2tIRiCrXRQLKmFyviVEJhDlifV_jWhH4Yj9BFVIijYuL9BpP-1KA7Qn6EWqu47ML2Mc9c8jNyAaDIOpqbD8ooGUzDw3tG4P-Cg2QXtP0ZsPtN2lt2MirQ/s320/IMG_20220418_121525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Odemira's charm lies in its location on top of a small hill, forming a kind of amphitheatre with its brilliant white houses facing towards the river Mira. The source of the river is in the Serra do Caldeirão, but from this point on it is navigable as far as its mouth at Vila Nova de Milfontes, over a stretch of roughly 30 kilometres, a most beautiful setting for sailing, rowing or canoeing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This beautiful name is said to have originated from the Arab words wad (meaning river) and Emir, leading to the name Odemira in Portuguese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Despite being conquered from the Moors by the first Portuguese king D. Afonso Henriques, the town was not granted a charter until 1257, in the reign of D. Afonso III, when it was populated on a definitive basis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Odemira has not managed to preserve any really important remains from this historic past. Nothing is left, for example, of the castle that once stood at the town's highest point.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU3NLl_W0UKNlz4iS53l4LEsfNCvqv9OPb52JuaiAL5Hw3eb6Ayd1yAlZ9zjxzghqGqN4UmugBTWC4LK67Ipqa3fGh7e8MsZB9SXfZXYd-9t7kohY6hv0V4Bl7BEr-GfjFnj5H_IgKzx8pdPcibwaOK16-KC0Aied8XxzZlc7NvriFTMr5A/s1080/IMG_20220418_121540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1080" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDU3NLl_W0UKNlz4iS53l4LEsfNCvqv9OPb52JuaiAL5Hw3eb6Ayd1yAlZ9zjxzghqGqN4UmugBTWC4LK67Ipqa3fGh7e8MsZB9SXfZXYd-9t7kohY6hv0V4Bl7BEr-GfjFnj5H_IgKzx8pdPcibwaOK16-KC0Aied8XxzZlc7NvriFTMr5A/s320/IMG_20220418_121540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I happened to notice on Google maps as I was looking at Odemira, an artisanal choclatier. As a chocolate lover I had to go and check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is top rated on Google maps and we were not disappointed, even Frank who is not a great chocolate lover really enjoyed this experience!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For €4 you can get a drink and 3 chocolates which we did and of course because they were so nice we bought a few to take home, (which didn't last long!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A delicious little treat and well worth a visit. There is a top deck above the cafe building with incredible views across the town. Then there is a lovely walk along the river too ❤️</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A bit from their website... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beatriz is Argentinian and a native of Bariloche, one of the most important cities of Patagonia. Renowned as the “Switzerland of Argentina”, Bariloche became famous for the production of handmade chocolate after the arrival of Swiss immigrants at the beginning of the twentieth century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After coming to Portugal she began to look for a creative outlet which would not only provide a living but fill a gap in the market. With this aim in mind, she began exploring the origins of chocolate and decided to open her own artisanal Chocolaterie in the beautiful village of Odemira.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today, Chocolates de Beatriz is recognised as a quality brand with clients from all over the world visiting the chocolateries in Odemira and in Faro, the latter opened in 2017.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beatriz’s idea is very simple: to produce good chocolate at an affordable price.She carefully selects chocolate with character which has a striking and recognisable aroma.The ingredients for the fillings are of the best quality and freshness without any artificial flavourings, fragrances or colours. As a result the chocolates have a shelf life of six to eight weeks, but this doesn’t seem to be a problem for her clients as they tell her the chocolates do not normally remain in the box uneaten for more than six to eight days!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq45ooMkyo3Df2zlBq62cRv1OoivEB81ebZ5-PBP742PPTG9CiKsOCFzeJKCMp8cKbcdLMZsLp6uFF_cFw-Jbdd_Ikk1KwEYDBuYn7EptQxbudUndfa-hQ4JNDeyxYA85yG7eI4qZpTYn5vRLdlDW4vo4zABByZuoahbZC4KOBXES7D_Gh7Q/s1080/IMG_20220418_121553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1080" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq45ooMkyo3Df2zlBq62cRv1OoivEB81ebZ5-PBP742PPTG9CiKsOCFzeJKCMp8cKbcdLMZsLp6uFF_cFw-Jbdd_Ikk1KwEYDBuYn7EptQxbudUndfa-hQ4JNDeyxYA85yG7eI4qZpTYn5vRLdlDW4vo4zABByZuoahbZC4KOBXES7D_Gh7Q/s320/IMG_20220418_121553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We arrived in the Algarve nearly a year to the day that we had left! More on that in the next post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :)</div><p></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-89450687255726259492022-04-18T12:06:00.002+01:002022-04-18T12:06:25.124+01:00Inland Ireland<p style="text-align: center;">We left the coast behind us to head inland and explored some more places in Irish history.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Fore Abbey is the ruin of a Benedictine Abbey, situated to the north of Lough Lene in County Westmeath. The abbey was founded by Saint Feichin in 630 CE and functioned for over 900 years. By 665 CE (the time of the yellow plague), the abbey is believed to have housed up to 300 Benedictine monks from Normandy and 2000 students. Architectural additions and damage by fire have altered the site's appearance and layout over the centuries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fore is the anglicised version of the Irish "Fobhar", meaning "water-springs". The name is derived from St. Feichin’s spring or well which is next to the old church, a short distance from the ruined monastery.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Abbey is also noted for what local populations call its seven wonders:
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 1. The monastery built upon the bog.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 2. The mill without a race (St. Fechin reportedly induced water to flow from the ground and operate a mill that had no visible water supply - in reality water from Lough Lene flows through the ground).
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 3. The water that flows uphill. (St. Fechin reportedly used his staff to make the water flow uphill).
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 4. The tree that has three branches/the tree that won’t burn. Pilgrims place coins in it, giving it the name "the copper tree."
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 5. The water that doesn’t boil in St Fechin's holy well.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 6. The anchorite in a cell.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 7. The lintel-stone raised by St. Fechin’s prayers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We found this place by accident, it was just on the road we were travelling on but was well worth the visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWlKpdv2mvM1DEXMy8TvWFX6bU0TdmuaIlPNNBs4Pd30J4KPxHKPqOj8Yfb9JIwA8Y05p3fDCQJ5PoHTiMeSw3fanJJ1WEdxEXuxTOfkriYzGb52M5WI6bv9uJ-B-n7r9Ue_yg__BKzNiqiPXsTYmyJZ6vQMKdztxIVzP29htWJNmZD3ysQ/s1080/IMG_20220417_155917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1080" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWlKpdv2mvM1DEXMy8TvWFX6bU0TdmuaIlPNNBs4Pd30J4KPxHKPqOj8Yfb9JIwA8Y05p3fDCQJ5PoHTiMeSw3fanJJ1WEdxEXuxTOfkriYzGb52M5WI6bv9uJ-B-n7r9Ue_yg__BKzNiqiPXsTYmyJZ6vQMKdztxIVzP29htWJNmZD3ysQ/s320/IMG_20220417_155917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Spire of Lloyd in Kells, Ireland is an 18th-century folly in the form of a Doric column, surmounted by a glazed lantern. Sometimes described as "Ireland's only inland lighthouse", it was designed by architect Henry Aaron Baker. It was reputedly commissioned by Thomas Taylour, 1st Earl of Bective as a memorial to his father.
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tower is located on the Hill of Lloyd, making this 40 kilometres from the coast and is around 30m (100 ft) high. From the top there are views of the surrounding countryside as far as the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland on a clear day. The tower was used to view horse racing and the hunt in the nineteenth century.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The area around the tower has been developed as a community park, and includes a paupers' grave, where Mass is still celebrated annually in memory of the Great Famine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOjki9mjT2uDutk3Zog2dDemSbAi7FbrmuVnvBUa_YGTi92lIJIqsG0wkWA7TVnEMk9p0xwqUmUq3SDQ17fLo5fcsHNBEydfqJLwN7nT6zezGZOZhJ36hw1RKHl-k-GpSmi_dNdfO_Ms1eUFHWW5IWBdjiwZhIlwUmu9YWBSLEzKVrT4ywQ/s1333/IMG_20220417_155935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOjki9mjT2uDutk3Zog2dDemSbAi7FbrmuVnvBUa_YGTi92lIJIqsG0wkWA7TVnEMk9p0xwqUmUq3SDQ17fLo5fcsHNBEydfqJLwN7nT6zezGZOZhJ36hw1RKHl-k-GpSmi_dNdfO_Ms1eUFHWW5IWBdjiwZhIlwUmu9YWBSLEzKVrT4ywQ/s320/IMG_20220417_155935.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The very old Headfort bridge in Kells, Co Meath run's over the Blackwater river which is the largest tributary of the River Boyne.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-4-o1NYZrgmRGQTUwQo86-W4ahlmwgEW_iKNjFMZhUm7heox4b0AM66JQYJNTbcfUgv_fP8uj-dZ7vvM_Mri_SJXezzUnvk1wdazG_WM7g4ODQ-VFGD_5TZaPaL48XBWiF3ta-b3bq5taysY7gqIQ7eGKKBC57FxRnA2d6UHZ0MVc7kVoA/s1067/IMG_20220417_155956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1067" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-4-o1NYZrgmRGQTUwQo86-W4ahlmwgEW_iKNjFMZhUm7heox4b0AM66JQYJNTbcfUgv_fP8uj-dZ7vvM_Mri_SJXezzUnvk1wdazG_WM7g4ODQ-VFGD_5TZaPaL48XBWiF3ta-b3bq5taysY7gqIQ7eGKKBC57FxRnA2d6UHZ0MVc7kVoA/s320/IMG_20220417_155956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slane village stands on a steep hillside on the left bank of the River Boyne.
The village and surrounding area contains many historic sites dating back over 5,000 years. The village centre, as it is laid-out today, dates mainly from the 18th century.
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At Slane Castle there is an ancient well in the grounds of the castle near the river. In Irish mythology the well was blessed by Dian Cecht so that the Tuatha Dé Danann could bathe in it and be healed, allegedly, healing all wounds but decapitation. However upon the arrival of Christianity in Ireland the well is now known as Our lady's well. The castle grounds have been the site of large rock concerts since 1981.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn6_0FFgT9Z71_I3d7jFxhciwLh3FVS5h1cbbzALynGrgo0YJ_KAXksQ4ApvPU1nU5s7bGhXGbWRrjafMnXlqWWmmAXOqKj4iIvXWGiFfyDv52yN3zzPC949jI5pnAeGNN3Q7sxqEP1bVn9wdnqMFWuLHUJUwxrIteKoGZ3Ceum_K-91sTA/s1344/IMG_20220417_160010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn6_0FFgT9Z71_I3d7jFxhciwLh3FVS5h1cbbzALynGrgo0YJ_KAXksQ4ApvPU1nU5s7bGhXGbWRrjafMnXlqWWmmAXOqKj4iIvXWGiFfyDv52yN3zzPC949jI5pnAeGNN3Q7sxqEP1bVn9wdnqMFWuLHUJUwxrIteKoGZ3Ceum_K-91sTA/s320/IMG_20220417_160010.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Newgrange is a prehistoric monument in County Meath in Ireland, located on a rise overlooking the River Boyne. It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic Period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is no agreement about its purpose, but it is believed it had religious significance. It is aligned so that the rising sun on the winter solstice shines through a 'roofbox' above the entrance and floods the inner chamber.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the passage is small only a few people can fit inside to see the solstice sunshine through for the few days around the 21st December. Nowadays up to 30,000 people apply to go inside at this time and 60 are choose. Frank experienced it in the 80s before it was so popular and feels honoured that he is one of such a small amount of people ever to experience the phenomenon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Newgrange is the main monument in the Brú na Bóinne complex, a World Heritage Site that also includes the passage tombs of Knowth and Dowth, as well as other henges, burial mounds and standing stones.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Burnt and unburnt human bones, and possible grave goods or votive offerings, were found in the chamber. Many of the larger stones of Newgrange are covered in megalithic art. The mound is also ringed by a stone circle. Some of the material that makes up the monument came from as far as the Mournes and Wicklow Mountains.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Newgrange shares similarities with some other Neolithic monuments in Western Europe; especially Gavrinis in Brittany, which has a similar preserved facing and large carved stones, Maeshowe in Orkney, with its large corbelled chamber, and Bryn Celli Ddu in Wales.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4Wm8E6CuWOY0_ZiBVGgEqzDuLP_N_A2yKdbPbexLq-4chEtfYWczRcD-gl5sY2Zbh2oTpXbq6BQEHxUkcqVU4_3OC0Q8bEVfqPZS7rATCU3GCtz-i9HOF1f04SJirMKoYycs06msgT38bSQDl_PqMveDhuUYwIr6mU5idRZ9rf_zZyZI7g/s1080/IMG_20220417_160025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4Wm8E6CuWOY0_ZiBVGgEqzDuLP_N_A2yKdbPbexLq-4chEtfYWczRcD-gl5sY2Zbh2oTpXbq6BQEHxUkcqVU4_3OC0Q8bEVfqPZS7rATCU3GCtz-i9HOF1f04SJirMKoYycs06msgT38bSQDl_PqMveDhuUYwIr6mU5idRZ9rf_zZyZI7g/s320/IMG_20220417_160025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mellifont Abbey (Irish: An Mhainistir Mhór, literally 'the Big Monastery'), was a Cistercian abbey located close to Drogheda. It was the first abbey of the order to be built in Ireland. In 1152, it hosted the Synod of Kells-Mellifont. After its dissolution in 1539 the abbey became a private manor house. This saw the signing of the Treaty of Mellifont in 1603 and served as William of Orange's headquarters in 1690 during the Battle of the Boyne.
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, the ruined abbey is a National monument of Ireland and accessible to the public. The English language name for the monastery, 'Mellifont', comes from the Latin phrase Melli-fons, meaning 'Font of Honey'.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips8VglvyUCDuHuH-hdo4bCWiJtB6p3N2_a1FKNOkfC7P8rDU06cC22ruuXEJkNL680C0p8LGu0tthjgl78MdHBTCAbu_b2gn29tCyRPgEJvXqXTWtwISeWxVe_iS-fIhngtlkxwV_juz9KxHEfYzVf1fojxfQlh0TEtDv9wnlosOwPQoJWw/s1080/IMG_20220417_160040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1080" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips8VglvyUCDuHuH-hdo4bCWiJtB6p3N2_a1FKNOkfC7P8rDU06cC22ruuXEJkNL680C0p8LGu0tthjgl78MdHBTCAbu_b2gn29tCyRPgEJvXqXTWtwISeWxVe_iS-fIhngtlkxwV_juz9KxHEfYzVf1fojxfQlh0TEtDv9wnlosOwPQoJWw/s320/IMG_20220417_160040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Hill of Tara is a hill and ancient ceremonial and burial site near Skryne in County Meath. Tradition identifies the hill as the inauguration place and seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Tara consists of numerous monuments and earthworks, dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age, including a passage tomb (the "Mound of the Hostages"), burial mounds, round enclosures, a standing stone (believed to be the Lia Fáil or "Stone of Destiny"), and a ceremonial avenue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is also a church and graveyard on the hill. Tara forms part of a larger ancient landscape and Tara itself is a protected national monument under the care of the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Irish Government.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The oldest visible monument is Dumha na nGiall (the 'Mound of the Hostages'), a Neolithic passage tomb built around 3,200 BC. It holds the remains of hundreds of people, most of which are cremated bones. In the Neolithic, it was the communal tomb of a single community for about a century, during which there were almost 300 burials. Almost a millennium later, in the Bronze Age, there were a further 33 burials, first in the passage and then in the mound around it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, a huge double timber circle or "wood henge" was built on the hilltop. It was 250m in diameter and surrounded the Mound of the Hostages. At least six smaller burial mounds were built in an arc around this timber circle, including those known as Dall, Dorcha, Dumha na mBan-Amhus ('Mound of the Mercenary Women') and Dumha na mBó ('Mound of the Cow'). The timber circle was eventually either removed or decayed, and the burial mounds are barely visible today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The passage of the Mound of the Hostages is aligned with the sunrise around the times of Samhain (the Gaelic festival marking the start of winter) and Imbolc (the festival marking the start of spring).</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4zx_69-B5boQUHPxOIXQlBCLqzdnkZtN9yoqs2m6N5R24rXudOl9NriL-smec44ULxg_ewlFz6NlvBPJXd5kmU1JdYJtwKzy92k8p45NqYbO3Is4LtzJnTE1mubB_Jmqz-On-PwhR9bAB2d_OmuQmyhpMcnJaovqOY3ab9I0avI0U8BwZw/s1080/IMG_20220417_160054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4zx_69-B5boQUHPxOIXQlBCLqzdnkZtN9yoqs2m6N5R24rXudOl9NriL-smec44ULxg_ewlFz6NlvBPJXd5kmU1JdYJtwKzy92k8p45NqYbO3Is4LtzJnTE1mubB_Jmqz-On-PwhR9bAB2d_OmuQmyhpMcnJaovqOY3ab9I0avI0U8BwZw/s320/IMG_20220417_160054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trim Castle is a castle on the south bank of the River Boyne in Trim, County Meath, with an area of 30,000 m². Over a period of 30 years, it was built by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter as the caput of the Lordship of Meath. The Irish Government currently own and are in charge of the care of the castle, through the state agency The Office of Public Works.
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The land area of Meath was owned by the church but was granted to Hugh de Lacy in 1172 by Henry II of England as one of the new administrative areas. De Lacy built a huge ringwork castle defended by a stout double palisade and external ditch on top of the hill. There may also have been further defences around the cliffs fringing the high ground. Part of a stone footed timber gatehouse lies beneath the present stone gate at the west side of the castle.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The castle is noted for the part it played in the filming of Mel Gibson's film Braveheart. The castle was presented as the walled city of York; scenes that took place in London were also filmed here.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0Oc0Wsvv2JyHe1uXqae6yxrzr9v3EPhILB0O26WJqVrnxLd_KZ8KKI3UFKarXQEsBG_Mre6boC027fnnNKodQQIIVkxtVl4AmRZFiGwjRlHioSOo9C01mD0wZUnOnb-O-RqbRIH4lRdb7GIU7DVvmlWbgK_UKUZfbphOZyJdcQPXHUEqPQ/s1080/IMG_20220417_160110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1080" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0Oc0Wsvv2JyHe1uXqae6yxrzr9v3EPhILB0O26WJqVrnxLd_KZ8KKI3UFKarXQEsBG_Mre6boC027fnnNKodQQIIVkxtVl4AmRZFiGwjRlHioSOo9C01mD0wZUnOnb-O-RqbRIH4lRdb7GIU7DVvmlWbgK_UKUZfbphOZyJdcQPXHUEqPQ/s320/IMG_20220417_160110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-41659575243638240932022-04-17T15:47:00.004+01:002022-04-17T15:47:58.209+01:00The Wild Atlantic Way<div style="text-align: center;">In December while Elf Town was open to the public we did a tour in van along some of the Wild Atlantic Way in Connemara, Co. Mayo and Co. Sligo. We then headed inland and across to Dublin for Christmas. This post shows some photos and information from the part of the Wild Atlantic Way that we followed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 2018 we had done some further north in Co. Donegal and both times it has been wonderful. There are great signs pointing the ways to go and information boards at different locations. I highly recommend taking some time for a road trip to some of these spectacular sights!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started our journey in Salthill, just a few miles from the border with Connamara, an Irish speaking area of County Galway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTtq1KXwf3LVtGpJENij00mXJPDixZXXAZ82ijaxjoRTQV9Mx8bLil0VvWQ0fiEouQkdEEFhyCBtqFotawrPpPwwJX-AmH5sdZo5_b6_YsS9d0kNbOptc3usFdAxbQekfcRP63o7EGGA19SUddeGDD9p1-OvdqTDgVmyfPULT7u7ffbTthQ/s1330/IMG_20220417_152658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTtq1KXwf3LVtGpJENij00mXJPDixZXXAZ82ijaxjoRTQV9Mx8bLil0VvWQ0fiEouQkdEEFhyCBtqFotawrPpPwwJX-AmH5sdZo5_b6_YsS9d0kNbOptc3usFdAxbQekfcRP63o7EGGA19SUddeGDD9p1-OvdqTDgVmyfPULT7u7ffbTthQ/s320/IMG_20220417_152658.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next we went to Gurteen Beach and Dog’s Bay which lie back to back forming a tombolo jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. We visited just as the sun was setting and it was an awesome sight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both beaches are well sheltered from currents boasting crystal clear waters and are considered safe for swimming. We didn't swim but plenty of locals turned up in the morning for a dip!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beaches are naturally protected by the headland which it faces to the south. The beaches were formed by a sand spit and tombolo which now separates the two bays and their beaches. The area has international importance for its rare and interesting ecological, geological and archaeological features.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sand and grassland habitats are of particular interest as the sand was not formed from rocks, but rather from the shells of tiny sea creatures known as foraminifera. The grasslands, made up of machair vegetation is considered rare and is found only on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a great little carpark here which is on #park4night There are signs saying no overnight but out of season it's fine. All the locals were very chatty and didn't have a problem with us parking there for a night.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG5NlKT1p6hZnYI4xvMGbPnnBXEbpFruGtL2XEslZHnyZQXV5zWlgo8-FdFeiFSMx522Emom11ncMqavjJFjeR8BQ1YqsKnAjCAdJU2AWeHE7WuY8VyModgPDrd5JEwBfyufa9C5_OB4rr0fQ5ThYNtIKe_FB1be0BdzwJ85BancDn8pgGA/s1080/IMG_20220417_152714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1080" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG5NlKT1p6hZnYI4xvMGbPnnBXEbpFruGtL2XEslZHnyZQXV5zWlgo8-FdFeiFSMx522Emom11ncMqavjJFjeR8BQ1YqsKnAjCAdJU2AWeHE7WuY8VyModgPDrd5JEwBfyufa9C5_OB4rr0fQ5ThYNtIKe_FB1be0BdzwJ85BancDn8pgGA/s320/IMG_20220417_152714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are on the Sky Road, a loop road that goes out on a stretch of land from the town of Clifden. The Sky Road in Clifden is one of the most picturesque areas in the Connemara region. The circular route is 16km long and takes you out west from Clifden, onto the Kingstown peninsula, and back into Clifden via the N59. The peninsula is part of the Wild Atlantic Way driving route. The scenery along the Sky Road is stunning. Very few places in Ireland can match the rugged beauty and range of scenery that can be seen from the Sky Road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Clifden we had a walk around and took in the old buildings and pubs. There are lots of nice independent shops here which is nice to see. We also stopped at the Alcock and Brown statue in the town. British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight in June 1919. They flew a modified First World War Vickers Vimy bomber from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Clifden, County Galway.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggELKf7ruSbbm4i1akSFZfUXsq4PzSbF1Q1uD5vTOUnB_lI-CQ7xNoE7W55U49GzYvG3X1kl80VlgTaedpfTRsOf-g6XizgZ5_0uLyzI7fLfN4Gy81pud8-4tIIdScRvi_AajzqzUbq0q1Y7hCtPAPR7GQretKtcl8dFskTvazkH1XxIfjvQ/s1331/IMG_20220417_152738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggELKf7ruSbbm4i1akSFZfUXsq4PzSbF1Q1uD5vTOUnB_lI-CQ7xNoE7W55U49GzYvG3X1kl80VlgTaedpfTRsOf-g6XizgZ5_0uLyzI7fLfN4Gy81pud8-4tIIdScRvi_AajzqzUbq0q1Y7hCtPAPR7GQretKtcl8dFskTvazkH1XxIfjvQ/s320/IMG_20220417_152738.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvrLGqi1q0vB5AsjnL0pfGY1fDvtvrgi4Iv016M1RhTCTr5Ip8DJlUivDwUH9ppbGt7gpd6Vtv84gJtVzMJMM7kGEOUVNazBjypbN-UaO_vhaZEWedg1mN9V_xLTn13U6XgdH2k5FN-SiwpF0GQ0ci_t2eRhRUVgPpdDvV9MmoEI_ezz9GA/s1314/IMG_20220417_152753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvrLGqi1q0vB5AsjnL0pfGY1fDvtvrgi4Iv016M1RhTCTr5Ip8DJlUivDwUH9ppbGt7gpd6Vtv84gJtVzMJMM7kGEOUVNazBjypbN-UaO_vhaZEWedg1mN9V_xLTn13U6XgdH2k5FN-SiwpF0GQ0ci_t2eRhRUVgPpdDvV9MmoEI_ezz9GA/s320/IMG_20220417_152753.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was really windy the day we turned up at Killary Fjord! We had a night away from the van here at the hotel on the fjord so we didn't have to put up with the van rocking all night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Killary fjord is a flooded valley 16 kilometres long, and in the centre over 42–45 metres deep, the sea level is higher outside its mouth, as is normal for a fjord. For nearly half its length, it runs south east from the Atlantic, and then it crooks and runs directly east. It narrows after the infall of the Bundorragha River, and then widens in the vicinity of Leenane. In its innermost section, it becomes very narrow, widens where a small river comes in from the south, and ends with the line of the valley of the Erriff River.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The northern shore rises sharply to a much greater extent than the southern, which is in places merely hilly. On that northern shore lies the mountain Mweelrea, Connacht's highest, rising to 814 metres, and the sides of which fall steeply into the inlet, with Uggool Beach at its western edge. To the south rise the Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens. The island of Inishbarna is situated at the mouth of Killary Harbour. The area contains some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Killary has for centuries been known as "the only fjord in Ireland" or sometimes "one of 2–4 fjord-type inlets" on the island. There has been argument in at least one peer-reviewed paper that it is in fact one of three glacial fjards (shallower than true fjords) in Ireland, the others being Lough Swilly and Carlingford Lough. A key point in such argument is that it lacks extensive steep cliff walls, but this does not take full account of the underwater sides of the valley, and the shape of its bed. The matter was considered in a dedicated peer-reviewed paper, "An Oceanographical Survey of Killary Harbour...," that concluded that Killary was a fjord. The landform was shaped by a massive glacier, carving its way from the land to the Atlantic Ocean.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDhgXwq3gfChsC3KySbct9Al9qL1fZT15w9HjzqzMK32na0W0KX--Xga5AVQMDcCwdehJHOJ_LYakROoi3oueOwM-IoGhHfoKa7od3tJimO30jS9ex66z1TXHyBE2SShxUlYbHISdXNKUNgdTNV6qhVqZOoVQYFZpIBKdmj8LOGmmNoVPbA/s1327/IMG_20220417_152824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDhgXwq3gfChsC3KySbct9Al9qL1fZT15w9HjzqzMK32na0W0KX--Xga5AVQMDcCwdehJHOJ_LYakROoi3oueOwM-IoGhHfoKa7od3tJimO30jS9ex66z1TXHyBE2SShxUlYbHISdXNKUNgdTNV6qhVqZOoVQYFZpIBKdmj8LOGmmNoVPbA/s320/IMG_20220417_152824.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mxnRRDlUDHmJ8P4zXFVRYWJBDCSlgwrzQ4MMQ0LpcjxOEC8D1E9CX4z7F1nNkb2RL8iEYI1EsB1xh6qZrFnG-9CisMY1UcLAmf_XzfC563n6xrWyvFG-XZpbGgZSInkQ5FgtMbHktAe1ljSrnrI03ZmCBuaBDVqKKMwSQMC6BOe_hvMyhg/s1080/IMG_20220417_152910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mxnRRDlUDHmJ8P4zXFVRYWJBDCSlgwrzQ4MMQ0LpcjxOEC8D1E9CX4z7F1nNkb2RL8iEYI1EsB1xh6qZrFnG-9CisMY1UcLAmf_XzfC563n6xrWyvFG-XZpbGgZSInkQ5FgtMbHktAe1ljSrnrI03ZmCBuaBDVqKKMwSQMC6BOe_hvMyhg/s320/IMG_20220417_152910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the Doolough Valley we visited the first one of two famine memorials we took a look at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here in bad weather, poorly clad and perhaps barefooted, hundreds of men, women, and children, were forced to make the eleven-mile journey on foot by road and mountain passes to Delphi Lodge to be inspected to see if they were still worthy of famine relief. It is reported that when they arrived they had to wait around as the inspectors were at lunch. Seven people died on the walk home and ten more never made it home, presumed dead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-t0BleT6AdmWVxfxI3YI7YX-9Tcjn2HOF-Z3k0-0g5VTjOM2FVpm1OcYmhv3UxvWURjDImOHAgQMrCQzhn_R6wA7-3760G--aWDclsMG8P_nQwKmmGLtajRgInq-LU_hYW2ulDeCQx-oDMRSY4EtPMXZfwVwwNO2h_3MfoL-CuH4xAmosQ/s1342/IMG_20220417_152935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-t0BleT6AdmWVxfxI3YI7YX-9Tcjn2HOF-Z3k0-0g5VTjOM2FVpm1OcYmhv3UxvWURjDImOHAgQMrCQzhn_R6wA7-3760G--aWDclsMG8P_nQwKmmGLtajRgInq-LU_hYW2ulDeCQx-oDMRSY4EtPMXZfwVwwNO2h_3MfoL-CuH4xAmosQ/s320/IMG_20220417_152935.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">on the same day we went to the National Famine Memorial, a bronze sculpture of a ship, with skeletal figures symbolising the many people who died in the "Coffin Ships" that set sail from Ireland in desperate hope of escaping to a better life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coffin ships carrying emigrants, crowded and disease-ridden, with poor access to food and water, resulted in the deaths of many people as they crossed the Atlantic. Owners of coffin ships provided as little food, water and living space as was legally possible, if they obeyed the law at all. While coffin ships were the cheapest way to cross the Atlantic, mortality rates of 30% aboard the coffin ships were common. It was said that sharks could be seen following the ships, because so many bodies were thrown overboard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A sad and emotional day but important to acknowledge that this happened.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBZYwj0IcTy4wLlISw_eZ97gPzmwdzR13icES8gKZTsz_V_JQ24S0Th5H6l51kke4lEGu4csHHReOI9eqaBv9PNvp6fJmM6sZq_mqpw-foshZScVOXruyNYbKK-RDlOfNJGm0aelo-T_ljql9kXXtNukQ9Tcp5t8xryl2YEKVtZm55f75mw/s1330/IMG_20220417_152955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBZYwj0IcTy4wLlISw_eZ97gPzmwdzR13icES8gKZTsz_V_JQ24S0Th5H6l51kke4lEGu4csHHReOI9eqaBv9PNvp6fJmM6sZq_mqpw-foshZScVOXruyNYbKK-RDlOfNJGm0aelo-T_ljql9kXXtNukQ9Tcp5t8xryl2YEKVtZm55f75mw/s320/IMG_20220417_152955.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DownPatrick Head is a headland between Ballycastle village and the archaeological site of Ceide Fields. It commands breathtaking views on the Atlantic, the Staggs of Broadhaven to the west and high stunning cliffs to the east. Here Saint Patrick founded a church whose ruins can be seen todays. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dun Briste, is a sea stack close to the edge of the cliffs, which is 63 metres by 23 metres, 45 metres high and 228 metres from shore. In 1393 it was separated from the coast as a result of high seas and violent stormy weather. Old annuals said people who lived there were taken off using ships ropes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">'Poll na Seantainne' is a spectacular blow-hole with subterranean channel to the sea. It is well known in the local history because during the 1798 rebellion 25 men, Irishmen and French soldiers, lost their lives taking refuge on the ledge at the bottom, but unfortunately tide came in before ladders could be replaced.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbd_R7HfcY2mAbiJPsR4e_M5K5WyJfK_cO8RZ33Dvckw6Vp9AL-Z2MzdXwEw3O2MPEOaKJo9FJTctpFe8u0kGjZbCfZpughpWj412E1LKe9-nx0Imds7y29-qGW6e7VNIoqppLe4zE6WnnD7K7g8QAPYdPnnco02Esrxjo35ePjLMWu3vwA/s1315/IMG_20220417_153010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbd_R7HfcY2mAbiJPsR4e_M5K5WyJfK_cO8RZ33Dvckw6Vp9AL-Z2MzdXwEw3O2MPEOaKJo9FJTctpFe8u0kGjZbCfZpughpWj412E1LKe9-nx0Imds7y29-qGW6e7VNIoqppLe4zE6WnnD7K7g8QAPYdPnnco02Esrxjo35ePjLMWu3vwA/s320/IMG_20220417_153010.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the last places we visited on the Wild Atlantic Way before heading inland was the village of Killala, a place steeped in history.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the end of the 18th century, Killala had established a small sea port, where fishing was the primary activity. The town also produced coarse linens and woolen products. The train line from Dublin once ran all the way to Killala.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Killala was the site of the first battle of the French force of General Humbert in the 1798 Rebellion. On August 22, 1798, Humbert landed at nearby Kilcummin Harbor with 1,109 troops with the objective of supporting the United Irishmen. The force quickly seized the town. Humbert advanced to Ballina, which he captured with little trouble. The force then moved further and on August 27 it won a battle in Castlebar against larger force commanded by General Lake. The town was also the site of the last land battle of the rebellion on 23 September 1798 when the British army defeated a rebel Irish force in Killala.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc-mRUMuf60vCUiDsl0hFzlXNfwXm-aHLULXA2bV6x-fk4yV064IFGURI1V1Jb3Rofi6a3MzVRpheEZbrajnHRtHOqN3pOgAUMk5ect1fKcQKBeO28MFtTrc656NnZYmpho5M9Xu2_DDtxNvo0tZnUFCN0S6qgyo9W2A1uLjh0N4vjR2Zqg/s1072/IMG_20220417_153028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1072" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc-mRUMuf60vCUiDsl0hFzlXNfwXm-aHLULXA2bV6x-fk4yV064IFGURI1V1Jb3Rofi6a3MzVRpheEZbrajnHRtHOqN3pOgAUMk5ect1fKcQKBeO28MFtTrc656NnZYmpho5M9Xu2_DDtxNvo0tZnUFCN0S6qgyo9W2A1uLjh0N4vjR2Zqg/s320/IMG_20220417_153028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvZmC-MPA-z7o34yNYYKZ1gYeK6xXWOKjXG_kOMQ47jBHkXZ6JO7sVR9Na7CA0UQvDb5-nbvrEmGjjL5yYbhGPGjNhU-KHM5m0R_Mex6lq2kVvBe4kBKhVQH2wYbinA9tR3SEqnudiMi4w34HfJIf0fefbib5XVWExYrzOBqG5Ofqgj-L6w/s1331/IMG_20220417_153042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvZmC-MPA-z7o34yNYYKZ1gYeK6xXWOKjXG_kOMQ47jBHkXZ6JO7sVR9Na7CA0UQvDb5-nbvrEmGjjL5yYbhGPGjNhU-KHM5m0R_Mex6lq2kVvBe4kBKhVQH2wYbinA9tR3SEqnudiMi4w34HfJIf0fefbib5XVWExYrzOBqG5Ofqgj-L6w/s320/IMG_20220417_153042.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our last over night spot on the coast was Enniscrone over the border from County Mayo into County Sligo. It is a lovely place with a good car park and cheap seaweed baths compared to other places we have found. The old baths pictured are no longer in use but just up the road is the newer building.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A2rjSAtrAW1DKrAe8SX3MUCh97LhrZh-sqN65_WVw75WtEBmvptfTsV0QOVVmecVG-Y94YavP5S-BMsaTWceaTDlrfB3YTohy7Z7Xkiv8zoBlRtEGmpYJWGTSI2420S5d32mjkur8GDPhT34J0PQ2uBUr3lDZOFAF0ERiVMgVwJL3M8OxQ/s1080/IMG_20220417_153057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1080" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4A2rjSAtrAW1DKrAe8SX3MUCh97LhrZh-sqN65_WVw75WtEBmvptfTsV0QOVVmecVG-Y94YavP5S-BMsaTWceaTDlrfB3YTohy7Z7Xkiv8zoBlRtEGmpYJWGTSI2420S5d32mjkur8GDPhT34J0PQ2uBUr3lDZOFAF0ERiVMgVwJL3M8OxQ/s320/IMG_20220417_153057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :)</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-38879109436101182182022-04-16T17:21:00.002+01:002022-04-16T17:38:22.666+01:00Elf Town Galway<p>In 2019 we both worked building the set at Elf Town in Galway. I had assumed we would be back the following year but of course the pandemic meant it couldn't happen. At the end of October 2021 we arrived in Galway and started work. We built the set of the best children's interactive Christmas experience ever over 5 weeks and then came back straight after Christmas and spent 3 weeks dismantling it all! It is hard work, long hours and 6 days a week but all the hard work is worth it when you see all the happy children visiting once it is open.</p><p>Luckily we are able to live on site while working. Even Roxy came along! Here are a few pictures I took during the build.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1JnJOC2YbWVmLTsgImcp_W9NnqHphSQryNGSwZrGQqzAbv8M-Od0HPxwbeshosa0ebseSaNyIGveTf3bkk7jXHgUVTgBOcsNVu1TZu_pMzDbaeVUNgNTFvP4eZBQxfrzcHp5TXDxH9uuuqD2_XZnzZLxRiJKe0n49vplM3q_qA2BloTbJw/s1068/IMG_20220416_125821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1JnJOC2YbWVmLTsgImcp_W9NnqHphSQryNGSwZrGQqzAbv8M-Od0HPxwbeshosa0ebseSaNyIGveTf3bkk7jXHgUVTgBOcsNVu1TZu_pMzDbaeVUNgNTFvP4eZBQxfrzcHp5TXDxH9uuuqD2_XZnzZLxRiJKe0n49vplM3q_qA2BloTbJw/s320/IMG_20220416_125821.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wXOi_rxtxQ1cTzuF8FFLX9Q945CPZc1v6eYUePZcgijXuVFAaU0uwFmLrAP3XL4ALdmcUbgMXyKR0e3KRPjqTlyoQl1rYzW-Mo9yrs70e71rkoynvxFfh_DKaDYq6Ke3-q8Wm6Li935SVpRhBiwPBeNWxPP_pFjyBWGlKztua-C-1iM3MQ/s1141/IMG_20220416_141647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wXOi_rxtxQ1cTzuF8FFLX9Q945CPZc1v6eYUePZcgijXuVFAaU0uwFmLrAP3XL4ALdmcUbgMXyKR0e3KRPjqTlyoQl1rYzW-Mo9yrs70e71rkoynvxFfh_DKaDYq6Ke3-q8Wm6Li935SVpRhBiwPBeNWxPP_pFjyBWGlKztua-C-1iM3MQ/s320/IMG_20220416_141647.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkXYCEVPy5eLUpl2l9Ko8UnZ8xo_L48cN--4nBHqTyKBJ8G0hYIWsJZmgF6nxeTptTrJPYgLviCrNZsak4dzm6FK1yTR31tOwjgNMzC8bmwEDb8v3eL22qU3C7yDWy27KSDPTC4RKKEyii6gzSWtsQmFf9X2PTqbZG2--IPzja_LWMevgRA/s1291/IMG_20220416_141721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkXYCEVPy5eLUpl2l9Ko8UnZ8xo_L48cN--4nBHqTyKBJ8G0hYIWsJZmgF6nxeTptTrJPYgLviCrNZsak4dzm6FK1yTR31tOwjgNMzC8bmwEDb8v3eL22qU3C7yDWy27KSDPTC4RKKEyii6gzSWtsQmFf9X2PTqbZG2--IPzja_LWMevgRA/s320/IMG_20220416_141721.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZCo9jjZYeB_lkTTQsyPuw7VyF6GvfTzrIUglDSXn0QOvYY3-2t--JuWmONQhFHQmHuaFXOWCQgC9zO_63ESmgdLrOmE4mLt6c2Kgj1XmjUZ6_x9Lv_xb5tAdKaycNZNWI2sxrpZwaSIjFinpbcmM7dqM-yVbkfUAXJqV19lo9eNSiG90wA/s1080/IMG_20220416_141741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZCo9jjZYeB_lkTTQsyPuw7VyF6GvfTzrIUglDSXn0QOvYY3-2t--JuWmONQhFHQmHuaFXOWCQgC9zO_63ESmgdLrOmE4mLt6c2Kgj1XmjUZ6_x9Lv_xb5tAdKaycNZNWI2sxrpZwaSIjFinpbcmM7dqM-yVbkfUAXJqV19lo9eNSiG90wA/s320/IMG_20220416_141741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlMq0sWX5WJ-1DlaLnoCCO80mnLH68IwTFY-f3ktHzio1PD7sjBD7IKOCIkJeN5lFbgzZ3yEYvtQq_phCnv3DllQBRgDTxqDYUY2lfT9XBYPvJtQy4a9xJiBHLn1V5T5y0DAJwK0bAU7_t6cnTyw91QF-G87DmxsTw5uladWfgbUlBGcxAQ/s1080/IMG_20220416_141802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1080" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlMq0sWX5WJ-1DlaLnoCCO80mnLH68IwTFY-f3ktHzio1PD7sjBD7IKOCIkJeN5lFbgzZ3yEYvtQq_phCnv3DllQBRgDTxqDYUY2lfT9XBYPvJtQy4a9xJiBHLn1V5T5y0DAJwK0bAU7_t6cnTyw91QF-G87DmxsTw5uladWfgbUlBGcxAQ/s320/IMG_20220416_141802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxK8l5gwNw3gGGxBk2MbqahcOJb6atCgsObcSo-i4EvVAE-TFO0S7SUezQICV71BRnrEc3Z_SqTNwVfG7bTSaCYzC6sEoadS28A_IkN5bl-bifm5ltkizAGCFsWn0XqU6yPLbSCPE351UHeebcRvebPk4H7xgg7_eNvx14PQxM2joyYHoGw/s1080/IMG_20220416_141821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1080" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxK8l5gwNw3gGGxBk2MbqahcOJb6atCgsObcSo-i4EvVAE-TFO0S7SUezQICV71BRnrEc3Z_SqTNwVfG7bTSaCYzC6sEoadS28A_IkN5bl-bifm5ltkizAGCFsWn0XqU6yPLbSCPE351UHeebcRvebPk4H7xgg7_eNvx14PQxM2joyYHoGw/s320/IMG_20220416_141821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5O1-faSAIhT5K0mFEY31ld1LhTlAwt4T6Z9crXKl5Bec1xlvjGL28eAmIFrmjTBY5BbCs96xYAsJD1g1YzJtrLNOVc62jSfa0Jq4aVRbGvr-26HvF4M20sFd1YVpbsfWeKDnKL0smRczM7_MLI_6ofo2BWZqzBa4HtB3bzTHaJ4FfM5GNQ/s1080/IMG_20220416_141851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1080" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5O1-faSAIhT5K0mFEY31ld1LhTlAwt4T6Z9crXKl5Bec1xlvjGL28eAmIFrmjTBY5BbCs96xYAsJD1g1YzJtrLNOVc62jSfa0Jq4aVRbGvr-26HvF4M20sFd1YVpbsfWeKDnKL0smRczM7_MLI_6ofo2BWZqzBa4HtB3bzTHaJ4FfM5GNQ/s320/IMG_20220416_141851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOOPP_Li0siRFIYxnG9nW05_3XvX49Aw86JMWX0BdmzALzl84yqFVM0Y4di7akC3VYXXPfrT246s_MdGxkNyck9Boq7Zb5XjQK-3nhUgp4sRKO4Gk4y3-C2jV_pRVCgtx0gqAEMWJsfcsATrJx_FECdrpE9LkHgBGKzNoohoM-4DzSx_DOw/s1134/IMG_20220416_141908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOOPP_Li0siRFIYxnG9nW05_3XvX49Aw86JMWX0BdmzALzl84yqFVM0Y4di7akC3VYXXPfrT246s_MdGxkNyck9Boq7Zb5XjQK-3nhUgp4sRKO4Gk4y3-C2jV_pRVCgtx0gqAEMWJsfcsATrJx_FECdrpE9LkHgBGKzNoohoM-4DzSx_DOw/s320/IMG_20220416_141908.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamzhwMmZWsALl-T-3XvZMB2S2BZbRh-dAwxo0y11AQgje923sb1jChcAS_X2DlnYQtNHx4fp55L1n-2eADzffD9AuCcw4xP2132GCHc7s3a2__tEv_xWEVkJalGbGMdK6EIA8jf_jdrorgsM56WiWlCadQorI5DGIIKpjGFwd-dYyp3OcCw/s1080/IMG_20220416_141924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1080" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamzhwMmZWsALl-T-3XvZMB2S2BZbRh-dAwxo0y11AQgje923sb1jChcAS_X2DlnYQtNHx4fp55L1n-2eADzffD9AuCcw4xP2132GCHc7s3a2__tEv_xWEVkJalGbGMdK6EIA8jf_jdrorgsM56WiWlCadQorI5DGIIKpjGFwd-dYyp3OcCw/s320/IMG_20220416_141924.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT95sjV9IiDWP9k9_bBciMzHPlqvr4nFjQRusl7gfYEgkkyPJe7ezD_oxrpIZswDtSBzC-u6meOTXwVYYqLjXzVAnqbU80RSt4flAVQTID0nKO0vhHSUZ6W8x_AOTyQ0xyRvgfBHD3rMwAaUmRq3tEfNkhfujBVy_ZDvLSINTyIBkUhBYn_A/s1080/IMG_20220416_141936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1080" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT95sjV9IiDWP9k9_bBciMzHPlqvr4nFjQRusl7gfYEgkkyPJe7ezD_oxrpIZswDtSBzC-u6meOTXwVYYqLjXzVAnqbU80RSt4flAVQTID0nKO0vhHSUZ6W8x_AOTyQ0xyRvgfBHD3rMwAaUmRq3tEfNkhfujBVy_ZDvLSINTyIBkUhBYn_A/s320/IMG_20220416_141936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div><br /><p><br /></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-43038332016210538692022-04-16T12:19:00.000+01:002022-04-16T12:20:40.040+01:00Going to the UK<p>In October we took a quick trip to the UK to MOT the van before heading to Ireland for work. We didn't stay long, we were mostly around Gloucester, Forest of Dean and Monmouth. We found no problem parking up in most places but we're only there for 2 weeks so moved every day. We found travelling ok since restrictions were a bit easier, just lots of forms to fill in! The van failed the MOT which wasn't surprising as it had missed the 2020 MOT due to the pandemic. We had been looking after it and it hadn't been driven much at all. In fact it had done less than 1000 miles since getting back from Morocco in July 2020! Here's a few pictures of the van in England and Wales ready to go to Ireland!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdKcBtKXmmuyiS0XFg1hlatSI41QqqPspHo6RyHU1w6jjor11r2I61BpDttfhtZHTwAKBa81B_nadMXaO0b4073QJHLq5xlyiF89yF3zjY1qswoMR_k0m-2Fj5YvaNK1jlhyyzK3zbWioFAkUNVbex9vfAVuXIFFpzKLnV5OSLJ5T3mWBg/s1080/IMG_20220416_120633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1080" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdKcBtKXmmuyiS0XFg1hlatSI41QqqPspHo6RyHU1w6jjor11r2I61BpDttfhtZHTwAKBa81B_nadMXaO0b4073QJHLq5xlyiF89yF3zjY1qswoMR_k0m-2Fj5YvaNK1jlhyyzK3zbWioFAkUNVbex9vfAVuXIFFpzKLnV5OSLJ5T3mWBg/s320/IMG_20220416_120633.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA-6lHPrI1vtbvoQeW_cs-A7Sqnc_nFRh-MgFrcpRivwAN9SE5JeRZCc9cySLgpdnZkx8MNvSlyIRUQBKmc2g3GSKbJupdgZPNEj4r9uY1QteUw01xia5fI59Ope5s8wIGTEwYzendYBKp6Fp-YI0S4COePuRPm8LOPL8kLHnpe2OHd4a3w/s1080/IMG_20220416_120551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1080" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA-6lHPrI1vtbvoQeW_cs-A7Sqnc_nFRh-MgFrcpRivwAN9SE5JeRZCc9cySLgpdnZkx8MNvSlyIRUQBKmc2g3GSKbJupdgZPNEj4r9uY1QteUw01xia5fI59Ope5s8wIGTEwYzendYBKp6Fp-YI0S4COePuRPm8LOPL8kLHnpe2OHd4a3w/s320/IMG_20220416_120551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY3KSyB-1AHAXoS9YsLZYfLSUyVPepO_M2_fRIj4OweNTHZsmcwuQkkslFOtOKom9PgDFTQFmOYGqYoih2ArnTLWu9mUEaEXJoR3hAHdz8zhWZVUc9zajm3tcNFliHXYOwfWSRXC6LVIlCOuxC3nEc2DMfMwO6Qj7Dh4QRfKMcXq60VfVbA/s1065/IMG_20220416_120616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY3KSyB-1AHAXoS9YsLZYfLSUyVPepO_M2_fRIj4OweNTHZsmcwuQkkslFOtOKom9PgDFTQFmOYGqYoih2ArnTLWu9mUEaEXJoR3hAHdz8zhWZVUc9zajm3tcNFliHXYOwfWSRXC6LVIlCOuxC3nEc2DMfMwO6Qj7Dh4QRfKMcXq60VfVbA/s320/IMG_20220416_120616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKQsOTs6MsuCKZJl1vlRQiDAMuVgwHysjxwdbOine3nQn9Owk4RbniANiGAU8xbOHAZyGVbjxS45UctUU1KbKu5_Lt6lNzHMHOHQ-SrrSgD3Mu3UpNiJ5DU9JU5gSC6Bw2kKN-3M8AMcrxteCOR4XnwAn8GJ5tGsdXTfcApLhVqexG4e3cQ/s1080/IMG_20220416_120526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1080" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKQsOTs6MsuCKZJl1vlRQiDAMuVgwHysjxwdbOine3nQn9Owk4RbniANiGAU8xbOHAZyGVbjxS45UctUU1KbKu5_Lt6lNzHMHOHQ-SrrSgD3Mu3UpNiJ5DU9JU5gSC6Bw2kKN-3M8AMcrxteCOR4XnwAn8GJ5tGsdXTfcApLhVqexG4e3cQ/s320/IMG_20220416_120526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div><br /><p><br /></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-2910175130615567712022-04-16T12:11:00.000+01:002022-04-16T12:20:30.207+01:00Roxy dog!<p>Introducing the newest member of our family, Roxy! Roxy started coming to our quinta in the spring last year, she was obviously a stray, sometimes we would see her every day, sometimes we wouldn't see her for a couple of weeks. In August we decided to adopt her as she was coming around more regularly, sometimes even staying the night in the house!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cu7u5D7CM-kAHx4y7GniLTk4LzoUScIQ4FYZUaHG8t4-mO3b_G0jKlAUCTFS0D-rmsvXuKZVBakjdGfckFaKrc6w1w5IM44MOZ8iAYGccdUGLa6eLFxo_UfJzVKcCQXje31Q9zYcCVA31X4jYC36j6CjrqmI-Bt7NU7RF_u1yOyOuQuYhw/s1166/IMG_20220223_230115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cu7u5D7CM-kAHx4y7GniLTk4LzoUScIQ4FYZUaHG8t4-mO3b_G0jKlAUCTFS0D-rmsvXuKZVBakjdGfckFaKrc6w1w5IM44MOZ8iAYGccdUGLa6eLFxo_UfJzVKcCQXje31Q9zYcCVA31X4jYC36j6CjrqmI-Bt7NU7RF_u1yOyOuQuYhw/s320/IMG_20220223_230115.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div><br /><p><br /></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-13301434923963668202022-04-16T11:37:00.003+01:002022-04-16T11:37:49.918+01:00In the media!<p>Thanks to Cristina at The Portugal News for the article about us last year! The article was in the entertainment section of their website, (and still in the archives somewhere no doubt!) It was also printed in the October 16th paper copy.</p><p>Don't forget our album, <a href="https://undyingheads.wixsite.com/undyingheads/music" target="_blank">A BREAK IN THE COUNTRY</a> is available via our <a href="https://undyingheads.wixsite.com/undyingheads" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> and <a href="https://undyingheads.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">BANDCAMP</a>.</p><p>All our music can now be streamed on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and some other streaming platforms, and you can use the music in your stories on Instagram and Facebook!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZs4RPU40H9DraWX0Eonj09EGp9t-F91K3XjWL0VsRzE702zZBSrmFc1HHERZqugf4GXHQQLIKIfyNCuq5aC5IRs2KjPxnSJDPVoGPwRPM33_7z0gGBG0VJR_VoPiJy1ohtG5Rk_KESPYlTIB1VZoFkK0dCh8Wm4AXyWQ8tNISYyqBJJMOg/s1080/IMG_20220416_105326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1080" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZs4RPU40H9DraWX0Eonj09EGp9t-F91K3XjWL0VsRzE702zZBSrmFc1HHERZqugf4GXHQQLIKIfyNCuq5aC5IRs2KjPxnSJDPVoGPwRPM33_7z0gGBG0VJR_VoPiJy1ohtG5Rk_KESPYlTIB1VZoFkK0dCh8Wm4AXyWQ8tNISYyqBJJMOg/s320/IMG_20220416_105326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5fADlZPGJ4B46hkAAUEIt9nqimvdIreWaW59zfRUkWuUb0yUKir018Ta57Bvo877oD7cMumei2gn5G7XT2cZoKLY3f2kSPGroVJq_hCZsk-Vi3njI3UqygfaOOjETNlOH6GMvuBLrr5wNN-X4x0r7wZw_Vp0lYH2nKJbK0kcOYC8vGqYQw/s1074/IMG_20220416_105350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1074" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5fADlZPGJ4B46hkAAUEIt9nqimvdIreWaW59zfRUkWuUb0yUKir018Ta57Bvo877oD7cMumei2gn5G7XT2cZoKLY3f2kSPGroVJq_hCZsk-Vi3njI3UqygfaOOjETNlOH6GMvuBLrr5wNN-X4x0r7wZw_Vp0lYH2nKJbK0kcOYC8vGqYQw/s320/IMG_20220416_105350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) XXX</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-8521821429718720922022-04-16T11:24:00.000+01:002022-04-16T11:39:16.558+01:00A Break in the Country<p>I'm going to do a series of posts over the next few hours or days to catch up with things on here! </p><p>Firstly back last summer we released our album made in lockdown called 'A Break in the Country'. All music and lyrics written by Frank and recorded and mixed at home by Frank.</p><p>Check it out on our website, <a href="http://www.undyingheads.eu" target="_blank">UNDYING HEADS</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKldafag3p9cLn_zXNPzJwxGX_eNZm4-Vyy1AhR6a2-8KExe1UVE_eyrMwdZYyc2st9pSoS2btTLGlRrJFa-dtZasPCUJTMKkAE-2ohNguL4k3rdD-iEIGafWBHK1CjbVEhoSmcLohSdO9xJ2EO2Bs5Mqdzz5izKQnr5yfZ7ifrXErBpfGqw/s2000/cover_art_1front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKldafag3p9cLn_zXNPzJwxGX_eNZm4-Vyy1AhR6a2-8KExe1UVE_eyrMwdZYyc2st9pSoS2btTLGlRrJFa-dtZasPCUJTMKkAE-2ohNguL4k3rdD-iEIGafWBHK1CjbVEhoSmcLohSdO9xJ2EO2Bs5Mqdzz5izKQnr5yfZ7ifrXErBpfGqw/s320/cover_art_1front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVQsme3K4e4glz0xzajBIJcVRsL1OPU_hlgLn0EofxFybz0YRlmrJdOvCLfaySUb4xBKPPD5p3cbejmUfqLKnCm87VYto_g6IZ7rQC-XHtKsXyeM-v3olxjJxSjnrtscoxSlJGzf1aBjXqOjoY4MK4xQqwinu-9fE4o-BqzLfEZE7m_uyOw/s2000/cover_art_2back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVQsme3K4e4glz0xzajBIJcVRsL1OPU_hlgLn0EofxFybz0YRlmrJdOvCLfaySUb4xBKPPD5p3cbejmUfqLKnCm87VYto_g6IZ7rQC-XHtKsXyeM-v3olxjJxSjnrtscoxSlJGzf1aBjXqOjoY4MK4xQqwinu-9fE4o-BqzLfEZE7m_uyOw/s320/cover_art_2back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobj5nkDgdb7aSDr3FVztzjtWVgQtoi3FMHo42QwDJsl6zS4RqEbMQTSx3NFw-lhjBJ68FUENRL5YpFFZrhJCFpcejRCI0Xn4GKzeisjzNuPUg0iNDnqqIDPK5_PZw8MJ_isg0OshPT8wUEMH278WkWeRWuU1RDwzIoXiomECzSEuVxXbphw/s4000/cover_art_4insert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="4000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobj5nkDgdb7aSDr3FVztzjtWVgQtoi3FMHo42QwDJsl6zS4RqEbMQTSx3NFw-lhjBJ68FUENRL5YpFFZrhJCFpcejRCI0Xn4GKzeisjzNuPUg0iNDnqqIDPK5_PZw8MJ_isg0OshPT8wUEMH278WkWeRWuU1RDwzIoXiomECzSEuVxXbphw/s320/cover_art_4insert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for looking :) xxx</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-67517079957952814942021-11-16T19:39:00.000+00:002021-11-16T19:40:03.452+00:00Be Kind ❤️<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenb_Piiu15S20jiBzHpwbvkvo86f_QSRxoEfcW1AFxxVt6AfI_KCmxDUvrK_IpRiXMuxwCFl9LT7vfNaCmh5UN4fBAkwnVBtzNgM5uyh5xD-QTo9ESkALZMsylTSwAQisdTf7/s1080/png_20211115_192556_0000.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenb_Piiu15S20jiBzHpwbvkvo86f_QSRxoEfcW1AFxxVt6AfI_KCmxDUvrK_IpRiXMuxwCFl9LT7vfNaCmh5UN4fBAkwnVBtzNgM5uyh5xD-QTo9ESkALZMsylTSwAQisdTf7/s320/png_20211115_192556_0000.png" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK93-ZVXilOozfsX69xlsVlulEOOwV-jvyh_-0G5OPIXOosCgKXQyhuOHWRvA29N0461p3i_KFocSLNRb5sbHa0q3zJGt4vTke6cwZkqfVNUAwHToA_PiXbiZiIDSbNI9x1TZl/s1080/png_20211116_191949_0000.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK93-ZVXilOozfsX69xlsVlulEOOwV-jvyh_-0G5OPIXOosCgKXQyhuOHWRvA29N0461p3i_KFocSLNRb5sbHa0q3zJGt4vTke6cwZkqfVNUAwHToA_PiXbiZiIDSbNI9x1TZl/s320/png_20211116_191949_0000.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C89VmWR6a_X7ak5wDlCTcdzj64yhQ67V_I27rtSjM5RXVF1qxMbiBfMoV_ZTrjdByecBnW3OwnIra6M2rebQ2zsqN2kggAviNZNFLuLFr5B48y9dv74IFZT2TwTDRqVLJrJh/s1080/png_20211116_192300_0000.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C89VmWR6a_X7ak5wDlCTcdzj64yhQ67V_I27rtSjM5RXVF1qxMbiBfMoV_ZTrjdByecBnW3OwnIra6M2rebQ2zsqN2kggAviNZNFLuLFr5B48y9dv74IFZT2TwTDRqVLJrJh/s320/png_20211116_192300_0000.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvva2nrVgBjBaMFctyGgA783iL4n1vTmr9jDz-xubWZaRsHEGwoVLmjE_mjHnlofBuFiYvKSyBFwrPN9hmcqnA06HNiU8y2IXlbtAE1jienBnE-0A60ekxCYhEI4f8J203Muvb/s1080/20211116_192420_0000.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvva2nrVgBjBaMFctyGgA783iL4n1vTmr9jDz-xubWZaRsHEGwoVLmjE_mjHnlofBuFiYvKSyBFwrPN9hmcqnA06HNiU8y2IXlbtAE1jienBnE-0A60ekxCYhEI4f8J203Muvb/s320/20211116_192420_0000.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be kind, be love, fuck the haters xxx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-16665568934845968772021-09-27T18:48:00.004+01:002021-09-27T18:48:34.482+01:00Really should post more!<p>But I probably won't! I post far more to Instagram so of you are on there do follow me. My personal account is @sam_van_dweller and our couple account is @atlantic_coast_nomads they are quite different and I don't post the same stuff to both.</p><p>So news news news.... </p><p>First, we got our vaccines at last! It took a bit of effort and then even more effort to get our digital certificate but now we can travel and see people and feel a bit more protected and that we are protecting other people too. The actual vaccination centre was super efficient and we were really pleased how they handled it. </p><p>Before I go on to other topics, I got a nasty message from someone who apparently has been following this blog for years although they remained anonymous to send me a message. It was a rant about vaccines, veganism, even my ex partner! I can only call it the ramblings of a mad person! As I always say, I am more than happy to engage with others with different views and opinions but I absolutely will not tolerate personal insults and rants. Luckily life is sweet for me at the moment but what if it wasn't? What if something terrible had just happened in my life or I was suffering with depression? People seem to think it's ok to be unkind online but it's not. I will not put up with nastiness and bullying and all messages like the one I received are reported. </p><p>Anyway enough of that! Next great news is that on Friday 13th August we released our second album! It's called A Break in the Country and is available from our website <a href="http://www.undyingheads.eu" target="_blank">Undying Heads</a> or our <a href="http://undyingheads.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> page. It's also available for streaming on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon etc and you can use it on stories on Instagram and Facebook! Please do go and check it out!</p><p>We've had a gorgeous hot sunny summer, visiting river beaches, hanging out with friends and playing music. It's now very autumnal here in central Portugal but we are soon off to England and Ireland! Oh and also we got a dog! She's called Roxy.</p><p>For the first time I've made jams and chutneys with the abundance of fruit here on the trees and our vegetable garden was a great success!</p><p>All very exciting! More to come soon, (hopefully!)</p><p>Meanwhile here's some photos from the last couple of months...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RO_J-S4GCrx-rIn_MYFj5iDFLt4NqbNabtAihvJ_qzMBRtXLCp8-qqvi_fadPxtNUz1PzzgHxLlYX2FU2tx8dOI4zmBx7FUorCgV9WbucF8FDGVV1IKO7LwB4HmFr8E3huVz/s1080/IMG_20210805_184828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1080" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RO_J-S4GCrx-rIn_MYFj5iDFLt4NqbNabtAihvJ_qzMBRtXLCp8-qqvi_fadPxtNUz1PzzgHxLlYX2FU2tx8dOI4zmBx7FUorCgV9WbucF8FDGVV1IKO7LwB4HmFr8E3huVz/s320/IMG_20210805_184828.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vTtFjRpwlLEmxZFJAZ4n8RdZdYnF9qpyHqYRwPvymo7e3smVpGNMAhzv9TXOWZZPOP6hJAC5yvNrflsxMbRnzBbbp4kXRU0kgIptS1i0MyrMmhOyaYfBUjZymg_Pt44yVVQ2/s2000/out+now+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vTtFjRpwlLEmxZFJAZ4n8RdZdYnF9qpyHqYRwPvymo7e3smVpGNMAhzv9TXOWZZPOP6hJAC5yvNrflsxMbRnzBbbp4kXRU0kgIptS1i0MyrMmhOyaYfBUjZymg_Pt44yVVQ2/s320/out+now+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOvJFCvWnBdP1fcgnWoovynb0wMPJUIO4zfVUUSzsbu5xJUz-sSo9jYWYL-hVvq37FCgsM7DqINsDyqq_7kvJTZHNrdtPMGTA94L9ONz_X3BqPmt4UWsmneGLHGCvxexmG03T/s1600/IMG-20210924-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOvJFCvWnBdP1fcgnWoovynb0wMPJUIO4zfVUUSzsbu5xJUz-sSo9jYWYL-hVvq37FCgsM7DqINsDyqq_7kvJTZHNrdtPMGTA94L9ONz_X3BqPmt4UWsmneGLHGCvxexmG03T/s320/IMG-20210924-WA0000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for reading :) xxx</div></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-45717174853104224532021-06-08T13:04:00.000+01:002021-06-08T13:05:15.464+01:00Portugal's Shame<p>My partner and I aged 50 and 59 would both like to be vaccinated against Covid-19. My partner is an Irish citizen, he has owned some land in Portugal since 2000. He does not have Portugese residence as this is not his main residence. I am a UK citizen trying to get residence at the moment.</p><p>We were happy to see there is a dedicated website to register to get vaccinated for people without a health number at https://servicos.min-saude.pt/covid19/vacinacao-nao-utente
</p><p>When we heard that they were vaccinating our age groups here in Portugal we were expecting to be texted with an appointment to come in. Alas nothing and after emailing, with no response, telephoning and going to the health centre and vaccination centre, all we keep being told is we have to go back to our own countries to be vaccinated!
</p><p>So this is Portugal's policy is it? Vaccinate their own and let everyone else get ill?
</p><p>We would like to go back to Ireland and the UK but feel it's unsafe while restrictions are still in place. It would also mean borrowing money to make the trip as we have both not been able to work since February 2020. Here we are quite isolated in the countryside, it makes more sense for us to get vaccinated here rather than risking a wait at an airport, a flight and public transport at the other end.
</p><p>I have now made enquiries with the Irish and British embassies in Lisbon to see if they can help or advise us on what to do next, I don't know whether they can help.</p><p>In a world where there is a pandemic going on as well as a growing anti-vax movement you would have thought the Portuguese government would be happy to help out the few people that are in the country without a health number!
</p><p>Shame on them.
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</p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-61770400118353722282021-03-20T16:15:00.000+00:002021-03-20T16:17:02.940+00:00Men, talk to your mates<div>This isthe hardest blog post I've ever written and is definitely the hardest one to make public. I wrote most of this a week ago but have battled with a fear of sharing these personal things.</div><div><br /></div><div>BUT I am angry and need to be heard and I also want to help other women gain their voice and I feel like I can't do that unless I share what I have been through. I have empathy for others who have experienced domestic violence, controlling behaviour, gaslighting, coercion, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and violence at the hands of men. I want you to know I hear and believe you and I hope by reading this you will understand I am an ally and have experienced some trauma myself so have a level.of understanding to what you may be going through.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to help bring a voice to the marginalised women, those women who are never believed, the women who come from the wrong neighborhood, the women who struggle with mental health issues, with drug addiction, the gay and trans women, the sex workers, the women of colour. </div><div><br /></div><div>If any women want to contact me in confidence to discuss anything my inbox is always open. If any men want to contact me my inbox is open to you too for rational conversation. I have training in councilling and psychology but I am not a professional, I'm just someone who wants to help make a change!</div><div><br /></div><div>In the wake of the awful tragedy involving the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard there has been an outpouring of not only grief for her and her family & friends but also anger that we women still face fears caused and perpetrated by men on a daily basis.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have never been forcibly raped by a stranger, kidnapped or murdered. These are what most women would think of as the worse case scenario, our worst fear. Stranger killings account for 8% of murdered women. We do know that women are abused by men on a daily basis. From cat calls in the street, to online stalking, to domestic abuse and everything else we know that there are many men out there who have no regard for women. Men who think we are their property, their plaything, their slave, their cleaner, child bearer, child minder, and much more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes it is not all men but it is enough men to make it an issue. Yes more men get murdered than women, by other MEN! Men are responsible for most murders, (93%), and rapes, (99%). There is a massive problem in society with male violence.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has all got me thinking what I have experienced in the past, in my 50 years on this planet, at the hands of men. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel very lucky that as a child I never encountered violence or inappropriate behaviour from men. I mean I'm sure there was some times with teenage boys where they tried to get what they wanted sexually but it never resulted in anything serious that I remember now. </div><div><br /></div><div>My first serious relationship was at age 17-19, and it was a violent one. The man in question was manipulative and violent. One of the first times he hit me was in front of his parents who were more concerned for his welfare than mine. He tried to make me believe that he was violent because I didn't want to have sex with him, even though the real question is why the hell would any women want to have sex with a man who is violent towards her? He even told me once after he had been to the doctors that he had talked to his doctor about my problem of being frigid and the doctor had told him I would always be that way! Now either he was a liar, which he definitely was with other things anyway or his doctor was a complete moron, which is also possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily I found the courage to leave him when I met the man who was to become the father of my son. One of the few men who despite his faults as a partner and father has always treated me with respect and as an equal. Sure we had rows but he never really frightened me or tried to manipulate, coerce or gaslight me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was 20 when I had my son and I remember two incidents both out in public with my son in his pushchair. The first was a man who stopped me in the street and said he was a photographer and wanted to take a picture of my tattoo. I only had one tattoo back then, a rose on the top of my arm. It was definitely not worth a photo! He wanted my address so as he could come round and take the photo. I refused and nothing happened. It wasn't until years later that I realised he was probably after far more than a photograph and that to stop me in the street like that was an unsolicited advance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Around the same time while walking through the local park to get to the town centre, a man appeared from behind a bush with his trousers down and a kind of cropped t-shirt on. He was masturbating while I walked passed. It didn't really frighten me, and I didn't feel threatened, in fact I thought he was rather sad and a bit funny. Again it wasn't really until I was much older that I realised just how shocking this really is and how frightening it could have been.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few years after I split up from my son's father I started a new relationship. He moved in with me after a time but it soon became physically abusive and I asked him to move out. While the physical violence was very scary and upsetting in the relationship worse was to come when he moved out. Late one night he knocked on my door, I didn't really want to let him in but he said he just wanted to talk, that he was upset we had split up so I let him in. It quickly became apparent that there was no reasonable conversation to be had with him. I tried very much to keep things pleasant, my 6 year old son was asleep upstairs after all. He ended up pulling out a knife and asking me how I would feel if he threatened me with it. I'm not sure what exactly I said but I do remember thinking that he was threatening me with it and that is was a stupid question. Thankfully he then left and I breathed a sigh of relief thinking that was the end of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly not, about a week later he again turned up late at night. This time I did not let him in, he kept knocking and shouting so I opened my upstairs bedroom window and asked him to leave. He then pulled out a gun. A neighbour passed who was walking home and words were spoken, I cannot remember what. At the same time I was calling the police. My ex left before the police arrived. The police were pretty good, they searched my garden, the local area and spoke to the neighbour who had witnessed the incident. A female officer stayed with me until I was happy for her to go. The next day I heard he had been picked up a few hours later by the police, they didn't find the gun.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily he never harassed me again. A few months later I had to go to court to be a witness in the case against him. My neighbour was also there as a witness. My ex denied having a gun and said it was a torch he was carrying that night. My neighbour, a man originally from Albania told the magistrate that there was no doubt it was a gun and that he was familiar with guns from his home country. I also stood up and said it was definitely a gun. Despite that and despite the fact he had already been in prison a few years previously for a violent offence and despite the fact I and my young son were threatened in our own home he got sentenced to 6 weeks in prison. He did 3 weeks and was out, luckily I didn't see him again until many years later.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next serious relationship also ended in violence. The relationship itself was not violent, the man was never violent towards me although a few glasses got chucked across the room at times but never at me. I never felt scared around him and I never felt manipulated or abused by him. When the relationship ended he heard I was helping a male friend out who had been in hospital for a long period and had lost his accommodation. The friend was waiting to be rehoused and so stayed in my spare room for a few weeks. My ex thought I was in a relationship with this person, I was not although even if I had been it would have been none of his business. He came to the house of my son's grandparents while I was there and asked to see me. I went outside to talk to him and before I knew it he had his hands around my throat and I really thought he was going to kill me. My son's grandfather came out and pulled him off and that was the last I heard of him. The police got called by someone else but I didn't pursue any kind of prosecution.</div><div><br /></div><div>After that I spent quite a long period of time single. I had a few short relationships but nothing serious. The one incident that sticks out from this time is when I went to see an ex from a short relationship who played in a band. We were still friends so it was perfectly normal to go and watch them play. I got on very well with another band member and that night we all went back to the house of the manager to sleep as the rest of us didn't live in the same town as the gig had been. Myself and the other band member we're getting on very well and we were all sleeping in one room together with my ex and a girl friend I had brought along. When the others in our group had left or gone to bed the four of us bedded down for the night. There were two big sofas, my friend and my ex were on one, myself and the other band member we're on the other. </div><div><br /></div><div>I snuggled down with the man, we kissed and cuddled. I didn't really think it was going to go any further as there was two other people in the room, one of them my ex! Even though we had only had a brief relationship of a couple of months and not serious I still didn't feel it very appropriate. Also I was by this time 33 years old, a bit old for sex in the same room as my mates, it seemed more like the sort of thing teenagers did. Anyway things got heated to the point where he was ready to have sex with me and was in position to do so. I said no, he carried on. It was not violent, no force was used and for a long time it just annoyed me that he did that. I was angry at myself that I let him do that. I never really thought of it as rape until much later. I never saw him again.</div><div><br /></div><div>What is also important to acknowledge is emotional violence. My next long term relationship was not at all physically violent at any time. There was however numerous incidences of manipulation and gaslighting. The worst time was when we got pregnant, neither of us wanted children together. When I told him I was pregnant his reaction was to say "how could that happen when we don't have sex?" This was a man who was certain that everyone in heathy relationships has sex every day! On the evening of me having been in the hospital under aesthetic for a termination he lost the plot after I said something that he thought was wrong or offensive or nagging, I can't even remember what it was now. He had a total tantrum, said he was going to kill himself and disappeared for a couple of hours. He like quite a few other men I have met hated it if the focus was on someone else. He also played up when it was my sons birthday for example.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember the last few cases of inappropriate touching I experienced, two were in 2019. The first was a man in a shop who thought it was fine to touch my hair. When I and my partner challenged him he got verbally abusive. Then there was a man in a bar who touched the side of my breast from behind as he was passing. A few weeks ago a man in a shop touched the small of my back to move me out of the way. These are such normal every day occurrences that I think even we women, or at least some of us, have kind of normalised them and do not speak out when they happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>These things happen all the time, these things that happened to me will not shock or surprise a lot of women. But these incidents are the big things, the things that have shaped me, the things I remember. I cannot count or remember all the cat calls, wolf whistles and inappropriate touching. I cannot count or remember the sheer volume of misogynistic shit some of my past male friends spout off.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's really important for me to say that I am an ally to other more marginalised groups and understand that my experiences are from my white privileged middle class background. I stand in total support with all women of colour, trans women, women with disabilities and gay women.</div><div><br /></div><div>Every women has a story and yet men don't seem to know any predators. Men, you need to talk to your mates.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bMDqozW81_EUzOFIapIWlAeX9_8B3-D_Ddqhs7f6Dxn85qMZNCTaBXwE7PHK1yFnU0ez_uxVt8mJWXOFYL4h6GNv6KqbeOkeU5j8UVPZ-ACGn9VjZy-tp1XitqkOMAPQ9Bg9/s1080/sam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bMDqozW81_EUzOFIapIWlAeX9_8B3-D_Ddqhs7f6Dxn85qMZNCTaBXwE7PHK1yFnU0ez_uxVt8mJWXOFYL4h6GNv6KqbeOkeU5j8UVPZ-ACGn9VjZy-tp1XitqkOMAPQ9Bg9/s320/sam.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Statistics from https://www.ons.gov.uk</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for looking :)</div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-72261821404388424432021-01-05T17:29:00.001+00:002021-01-05T17:32:59.199+00:00How to sign the petition against the new parking laws for campervans in Portugal<p>A few people have asked me if there is a petition against the new law that is being brought in on the 8th January preventing campervans, motorhomes and similar parking anywhere overnight that is not a designated campervan area, i.e. a campsite or aire.</p><p>There is now a petition which can be found <a href="https://participacao.parlamento.pt/initiatives/1730?fbclid=IwAR3_wD1S0I5sUrCzRWcO7CcQR_Aj8yaxsHyPpMfpStVxidbtKtn9M2MOUyA" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoLmZOI58vVfaOqLQrQmTrDxQf-2ZKbNt8o3g1WB_ol3buSUMT1FUvidRwOgjbJxKlD987awZgsGE1revgWkPftnQDgdkjtrOVgfCll5_usvvE117QL2VPoYBohyphenhyphenIb-Ip1Dk6/s2612/IMG_20210105_172640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="2612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoLmZOI58vVfaOqLQrQmTrDxQf-2ZKbNt8o3g1WB_ol3buSUMT1FUvidRwOgjbJxKlD987awZgsGE1revgWkPftnQDgdkjtrOVgfCll5_usvvE117QL2VPoYBohyphenhyphenIb-Ip1Dk6/s320/IMG_20210105_172640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Obviously it is in Portuguese so you may need to use a browser such as Google Chrome which translates the page automatically.</p><p>You will need to register on the parliament website to sign the petition. All this involves is signing up with an email address, setting up a password and using your I.D. card or passport number to confirm your identity.</p><p>Once registered you will get a confirmation email and then you can go back on the petition and sign it.</p><p>It all looks a bit complicated at first but it's fairly simple and well worth signing. Please do make the effort to put your name down and showing there are many people against this ridiculous new law.</p><p>Thanks for reading :)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-29319394965289071852021-01-03T18:36:00.005+00:002021-01-05T18:11:12.730+00:00Vanlife in Portugal after 8th January 2021<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the 8th of January 2021 changes to
the Highway Code in Portugal come into effect. The approved changes to the
Highway Code clarify the places where motorhomes can stay overnight, parked. It
will no longer be allowed to spend the night in car parks, laybys, on the
street or on wasteland. The only authorized places where motorhomes will
now be able park overnight are the areas designated for that purpose. So unless
you are parked on a campsite, aire or other area deemed as an area to park motorhomes
you will be breaking the law if you park overnight and sleep in your vehicle
anywhere else!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Parking will mean the parking of the
vehicle with more space than its perimeter for example having a window open
outwards or steps sticking out. A motorhome or similar will mean a vehicle that
presents a living space or that is adapted for the use of a living space, or
classified as motorhome, or caravan. Overnight stay will mean the permanence of
a motorhome or similar at the parking place, with occupants, between 9:00pm one
day and 7:00am the next day. Fines for breaking these new rules will range from</span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"> 60 to 600 euros.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here’s
a little story set in the not too distant future…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So
I set off from my home in the UK in my campervan, I am going on a month’s
holiday and am very looking forward to exploring some of what Portugal has to
offer. I’m particularly interested in the lovely food and the surfing beaches
as I’ve heard so much about both. Woo hoo holibobs!!!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I
get my ferry to Santander in Spain and drive the 6 hours, I mean I have a break of
course, at quite a charming roadside cafe. Anyway it was 6 hours total to my first stop for the night. It was a beautiful free aire in the
village of Barril de Alva in the district of Coimbra. I have friends living
here and spend a lovely few days catching up. The aire here is brilliant, there
is free mountain spring water from the font, treated water for a euro or two,
emptying for grey and black water and electric hook up if you want it for 3
euros for 24 hours. There is a limit on the amount of time you can stay at a
reasonable 72 hours. If this is typical of the rest of Portugal I can't wait!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After
my visit to Barril de Alva I head towards the coast and drive down to Ericeira.
I have heard this is a great surf town and I’ve also heard about one of the bars that puts on live music. My luck is in as there is a big that night! I find a great parking spot overlooking the sea on the
outskirts of town. Slightly off the road, my van fits neatly into one of
the parking bays. I make a small dinner, I don’t want to eat too much if I’m
going to dance around to a band! I am just getting my dancing shoea on when the police
arrive and tell me that it is nearly 21:00 and if I am still here when they
pass back through I will be fined for not being in a designated campervan
area!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Off come the dancing shoes, I can't drive in them!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I
look on Google maps and find that there is one campsite on the other side of
town so I quickly drive there hoping to still see the band playing in town. Unfortunately
they are full up as there is now lots of people in Motorhomes using campsites
due to the new law. I end up having to drive all the way to the bigger town of
Mafra and booking into the campsite there. Sadly I didn’t get to see the band
play, the dancing shoes didn't get an outing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
next day I head south hoping the new law won’t be enforced so much, maybe I was just unlucky and met some over zealous cops. I am on a
budget and will have to cut my trip down if I have to pay for a campsite every night. The average campsite seems to be around 10 euro a night, with quite a few far more! I was hoping I would spend
my budget on sampling some of the amazing restaurants people keep telling me
about!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I
arrive just south of Sines, near to the village of Porto Covo where a friend
has recommend a restaurant. There is ample parking at the restaurant which has
a beautiful ocean view which is even more spectacular as the sun starts to set.
The restaurant owner is happy enough for me to park outside for the night but it's not actually his land, it's part of the Natural Park. I decide that surely I'm doing no harm staying the night and it's very quiet so I doubt anyone will be round to check. The GNR are not so happy when they tell me at 22:00 I have to leave now or get
a fine, even when I explain I might be over the drink drive limit they tell me to leave. Eek, lucky I only had the two large glasses of wine!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Sadly
I leave, but at least I had had a great dinner, and wine! Yet again I have trouble
finding a space at a campsite and spend an hour finding somewhere that has
room. I consider myself lucky, it is still only March, what will happen when
the better weather arrives? </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">The
next day I am bound for Aljezur and I have heard there is a small parking area
where campervans go behind the market in the town. I decide to go there at
least for the daytime and go to another restaurant
highly recommended to book a table for the following evening when a friend was coming to meet me.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When
I arrive at the car park it is not very full with only a couple of motorhomes
there. I walk into town and book my table, should I book it for 19:00 just in
case I cannot stay in the car park and have to leave by 21:00? I wasn’t sure so
thought better be on the safe side and imagine I may have to leave. After the last run in with the cops I'm now on my guard! While
cooking my dinner later that night the police arrive almost dead on 21:00 and
tell me to leave or get a fine. This is becoming all too familiar but luckily
my friend doesn’t live too far away so I go park on their land for the next few
nights. We even change our reservation for a bit later the next evening where
we have a lovely traditional meal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After
a few days at my friends I am refreshed from the stress of police visits and threats of fines. I have drunk lots of local wine a nd sampled some other eateries in Aljezur. I do want to see a bit of the south coast before heading
back to Santander and my ferry home so I leave the safety of private land. Everyone I meet has the same stories,
police moving motorhomes on but campsites full and some of the cheaper aires
closed since the pandemic started. I arrive in Lagos and book myself into a
campsite for 2 nights. It’s one of the more expensive campsites in the area, unfortunately
all the cheaper ones are full. A whopping 30 euros for 2 nights, that's at least 2 dinners out!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One
day I decide to cook dinner before I go back to the campsite as I’m not so keen
on the campsite. To be honest it's quite full and I'm quite a solitary person, my neighbours there have two loud children and a loud dog. I mean they're having a great holiday and I don't want to be a spoil sport but Jesus if the kid screeches again I might just strangle him! Anyway I’m in a carpark in the town when my gas runs out while
cooking. Luckily I have LPG so can go and get it refilled but by the time I
pack everything away, drive to the garage and fill my tank and drive back to
the car park time is getting on. It is 20:30 by the time I am cooking again and
21:00 by the time I am eating!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next
to me in the car park a car pulls up with a family who have just bought a
McDonalds and are sat in the car eating it. The local police turn up and tell
me I have to go, that I am breaking the law by eating in my motorhome past
21:00 and that they are going to issue me with a 60 euro fine! Of course they
do not bother the family in the car, it’s actually only because of the type of
vehicle I am eating in that I get the fine! Apparently McDonalds in a car is fine, curry in a motorhome is not.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">The
next day I drive across the Algarve and into Spain where I enjoy the rest of my
holiday free parking where ever I choose with no bother. I enjoy some great tapas with local wines and a great paella one night, again with plenty of wine. Nice to be able to drink alcohol without the fear of having to drive afterwards.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">Next time I think I’ll
avoid Portugal, very sad about that as it’s a beautiful country with stunning scenery, tasty
food and wonderful people but being discriminated against just because I’m in a
motorhome and do not want to always use campsites is a bit too much for me. </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">I’ve heard France is very good for campervanners so maybe will try there for my next holiday. C’est
la vie!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6b_9aRh07gLZmHg3zEssVhYrClaesQLj9Uf5KaFL16zLYLLlY-bYfVhNuTeb09G5ZPzDArLR4W_X270_wbi4FFMAHHrJFnEJioIgTdGhpwYArZuu4rzXVjoHSrrlD2fRmLZM/s2048/sam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6b_9aRh07gLZmHg3zEssVhYrClaesQLj9Uf5KaFL16zLYLLlY-bYfVhNuTeb09G5ZPzDArLR4W_X270_wbi4FFMAHHrJFnEJioIgTdGhpwYArZuu4rzXVjoHSrrlD2fRmLZM/s320/sam.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px;">Thanks for reading :)</span></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-9283771222326492452020-12-27T13:48:00.001+00:002020-12-27T13:58:27.983+00:00Life on the Road during Covid-19 - Part 3<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few
months ago while on lockdown in Morocco I wrote a couple of pieces about how
life was like on the road there for myself and my partner and the effect the
pandemic was having in general to van dwellers. We finished off our Moroccan
adventure with a few days in Essaouira and then a few days in Chefchaouen, both
normally very touristy. We felt very lucky to visit just as lockdown was easing
with no other tourists in sight!</span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtkV2IdriChNfBBoaQN_aX_QFqdJFEeVgzQsNpczyzZtK_AWavJ5JvRtrglB-tAB_EG36xgp_Uy1-v_8P0Q5OvDz7Fw4BT-rhSIauBo1an-ghc8ddpibAgnPCirP_EiycGC5J/s1000/PICTURE01-+Waiting+for+the+Ferry+to+Spain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtkV2IdriChNfBBoaQN_aX_QFqdJFEeVgzQsNpczyzZtK_AWavJ5JvRtrglB-tAB_EG36xgp_Uy1-v_8P0Q5OvDz7Fw4BT-rhSIauBo1an-ghc8ddpibAgnPCirP_EiycGC5J/s320/PICTURE01-+Waiting+for+the+Ferry+to+Spain.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Waiting for the Ferry to Spain</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were
lucky enough to make our way back to Portugal fairly painlessly with the help
of the UK embassy who got us and our van a place on a ferry carrying mostly
French nationals out of Morocco. Cases of Covid-19 were on the rise in Morocco
as they started easing the lockdown, and we felt it was time to head back to
Portugal which is where we are normally based most of the year. Portugal had
done fairly well in keeping cases of the virus fairly low compared to other EU
countries and deaths were also low. As we travelled through the south of Spain
from the ferry we found people subdued, Spain had suffered many cases and
deaths and their lockdown had been strict. The normal loud chatter of the
Spanish in the bars was almost non-existent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">On entering
Portugal things seem more relaxed and people generally happier. For us
personally we were happy to be back in Portugal. It was mid-July and the summer
was quieter than usual. There was a definite increase in the amount of rental
campervans about for the whole summer. At a guess I imagine the growth in the
campervan holiday in general combined with the pandemic leading to people
choosing holidays that are more self-contained led to this sudden increase. On
the whole though things were very quiet with what seemed like mostly Spanish
tourists around.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"=""><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEYTOUkXXmwaizYjEwNHCHgd-0zeUZ2rbfEvHJ4j58w_l_qXnjgmTnHM7Iq6EZNVwk9JzKPHnEtMv9PeF-RsLTDcsrNFCWsXTOM0bY906Ni8vL1OqVu0fY1BGKlDPK9JQmpkc/s1000/PICTURE02-+A+Quiet+Beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEYTOUkXXmwaizYjEwNHCHgd-0zeUZ2rbfEvHJ4j58w_l_qXnjgmTnHM7Iq6EZNVwk9JzKPHnEtMv9PeF-RsLTDcsrNFCWsXTOM0bY906Ni8vL1OqVu0fY1BGKlDPK9JQmpkc/s320/PICTURE02-+A+Quiet+Beach.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>A Quiet Beach</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A lot of
our friends from the alternative community in the western Algarve had been
posting online their views on the pandemic, from it being a hoax, being
planned, being no worse than the flu to more outrageous claims like 5G causing
the pandemic and even that 5G had been installed in the street lights of the
village we spend a lot of time. I had un-followed many Facebook friends so as
not to see the more outlandish claims. One friend had shared a video claiming
that 5G was incredibly dangerous. When I questioned the contents of the video,
particularly the people who claimed to be 'experts' and pointed out that the
video makers were right wing Trump loving Americans he took offence and blocked
me, but not before telling me he thought Trump had some good policies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">We were
reluctant to go back to the village where we used to spend a lot of time due to
all the people who seemed to have been sucked into online conspiracies. A lot
of them were in denial about the pandemic and so had been having parties during
lockdown and had not been social distancing at all. We were much more of the mind-set
that although the governments worldwide were definitely not always giving out
correct information, the laws that had been passed were not necessarily
necessary and the advice confusing, we believed that there was a dangerous
virus and we wanted to make sure we protected ourselves and others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">What made
us believe this is that every government in the world agreed that there was a
pandemic of a virus that looked like it was more deadly than the flu. When do
all the governments of the world agree on anything? Trump and Bolsonaro were
high profile leaders that downplayed the pandemic but there was no denying that
this was real and happening. We also made sure we took in a wide range of news
reporting and looked up reputable websites and journalists as well as listening
to experts in their field. We researched many website articles and YouTube
videos that our friends sent us and many came from conspiracy websites,
infotainers or people saying they were experts when they weren’t.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">So we
arrived back in the western Algarve where we generally park up over the winters
and as there was so few tourists we parked at the beaches. Inevitably we bumped
into people we knew which sometimes was ok with everyone being respectful and
keeping a distance but more often than not we were in the minority with our
views.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"=""><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM9pwkH37wyqonNNBuqEsB9NfVMQZrnwZ3aG7VePtBfqntCT6s4Fi1z_zEv-P4IlLdcKSIuSWV7_24af8yNfqhVu4JkxzG_fWMH2awdqckjBQY8DDBTiQG6n3eb4p3YBCYvnu/s1000/PICTURE03-+A+Quiet+Beach+Car+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM9pwkH37wyqonNNBuqEsB9NfVMQZrnwZ3aG7VePtBfqntCT6s4Fi1z_zEv-P4IlLdcKSIuSWV7_24af8yNfqhVu4JkxzG_fWMH2awdqckjBQY8DDBTiQG6n3eb4p3YBCYvnu/s320/PICTURE03-+A+Quiet+Beach+Car+Park.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>A Quiet Beach Car Park</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friends
tried to hug and kiss us, and the first couple of times it was so quick that we
let it happen! Two male friends even tried to kiss me on the lips! We then
became ready for the huggers and kissers and turned them away before they got
to close, with the exception of a couple of very good friends. Despite not
judging any of our friends on their views or saying anything negative to them
we had a few snide remarks. One friend said "They got to you then"
when we refused to hug him and another said "Oh you're one of them"
for the same reason!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">We also
were disappointed to some of our friend’s reaction to the Black Lives Matter
protests. One friend when asked what he thought of the protests said they were
all Marxists. Another, when asked whether he had seen the Colston statue being
taken down during the BLM protest in Bristol said "Are we going to take
down all statues then?" When I said “Yes, any which cause offence”, he
didn't understand that concept and went onto say "Well everyone was racist
before 1900".</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">What has
been interesting is how the alternative community seems to have been targeted
by the right-wing and QAnon types on the internet. It seems that people who are
anti-authority, who often do not believe what governments tell them and what
mainstream media reports, are quite willing to believe a website with no
authenticity or a stranger on YouTube with no reputable sources. We are trying
hard not to let this become a divisive issue and have respect for other
people's views. We are trying to be compassionate and to understand lockdown
has affected people in a number of ways. Having said that we are reluctant to
mix with people who are acting as if there is no pandemic and so we have shut
ourselves off from some of the friends we would like to discuss things with.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">We free
park in our van and have been in the same area in the Algarve since we got back
from Morocco. We have found most other van dwellers respectful and not many
people are mixing as much as they used to. There have been far less van
dwellers around anyway so it's very easy to keep distanced!</span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1VOKItLvBUWsrlbOxUj_1qOFbHQHzxqBV0fXXawMjBTeX2iyCbV0zeTLS2kus0x7iSPXPJxcYdQfDlKdkWW654TYhyphenhyphenrXi6EdFlep60e_oapx19ShitpelpbH5ttNq2bk87J1/s1000/PICTURE04-+Parking+in+our+Campervan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1VOKItLvBUWsrlbOxUj_1qOFbHQHzxqBV0fXXawMjBTeX2iyCbV0zeTLS2kus0x7iSPXPJxcYdQfDlKdkWW654TYhyphenhyphenrXi6EdFlep60e_oapx19ShitpelpbH5ttNq2bk87J1/s320/PICTURE04-+Parking+in+our+Campervan.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Parking in our Campervan</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have
noticed the people in the supermarket who don't wear their mask properly or who
can't seem to understand the concept of social distancing. We try at all times
to remain cool and not get wound up by others unsociable behaviour. We did have
a slight altercation while waiting at the till in a supermarket during the
summer. We asked a couple who were right up behind us to keep their distance as
per the store policy. They refused and said as they had masks on it was ok. We
had to just turn our backs and ignore them as it could have easily escalated
into an argument!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">There has
also been a big backlash against wild or free camping this year in the Algarve.
Part of the south coast of the Algarve, all of the west coast and the west
coast of the Alentejo is all part of a Natural Park. In the Natural Parks
parking overnight in any vehicle is prohibited. Many people, not just
campervans have always still parked overnight as the signs are unclear and it
has always been tolerated. Portugal in general is a very laid back country and
as long as you are doing no harm you usually get left alone. There has always
been some moaning from some of the public in this area but this year it seems
to have escalated with lots of negative reporting against campervans in the
media, anti free camping groups on social media and even local vigilantes
waking people up in the night to evict them. I’m sure the pandemic has made
feelings run higher than usual!</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"=""><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIxH4PFxQgE2-XzT7uZh6UKfr2qZLr_eyPiB56touG3WZLMrdorJSEMLkN1xL8qgNJQGXEzq3etiLBwkLQFgGcz4kZKM3cZbpLc__Jkqu3Lv-1m5ZIaMO_XPwDomwn4VRDl7C/s1000/PICTURE05-+A+few+Campervans+parked+in+the+Natural+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIxH4PFxQgE2-XzT7uZh6UKfr2qZLr_eyPiB56touG3WZLMrdorJSEMLkN1xL8qgNJQGXEzq3etiLBwkLQFgGcz4kZKM3cZbpLc__Jkqu3Lv-1m5ZIaMO_XPwDomwn4VRDl7C/s320/PICTURE05-+A+few+Campervans+parked+in+the+Natural+Park.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>A few Campervans parked in the Natural Park</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a much
more positive note there has been some good things to come from this time. My
partner now has daily messages with his family in their WhatsApp group and
weekly Zoom call with them all. People have had time to reassess their lives
and do different things which can only be a good thing. Sadly it seems
everyone, especially politicians, are more concerned with the economy than the
health of the people. I personally would be all for a UBI, (universal basic
income), rather than trying to get everything open again as soon as possible.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">Personally
speaking I had time to do more writing, update my website, build a website for
the nFATs group and learn an instrument. One thing I now share in common with
the comedian Bill Bailey is that we both learnt mandola during lockdown! While
he is already a talented musician and can reel off some great stuff I am still
on 3 or 4 chord songs! I am getting there, can play and sing a few songs all
the way through now and despite not being on lockdown any more I practice most
days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KGUScmp55mnfjSoRgtT0ma1Jga9FMqi_qOz3LqtbAfGHYjhG-8zeaLa6XwKAI2A_DleiGZ7vYhJz0nLQZi65fLWBLnk6BK0dhoKRcn8mloC1Gq0MX1gfgOSU_RgIo-ZyT_m6/s1000/PICTURE06-+Sam+Learning+the+Mandola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KGUScmp55mnfjSoRgtT0ma1Jga9FMqi_qOz3LqtbAfGHYjhG-8zeaLa6XwKAI2A_DleiGZ7vYhJz0nLQZi65fLWBLnk6BK0dhoKRcn8mloC1Gq0MX1gfgOSU_RgIo-ZyT_m6/s320/PICTURE06-+Sam+Learning+the+Mandola.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Me Learning the Mandola</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What
cannot be denied and must be acknowledged to move forward is the connection
between the Covid-19 pandemic, how it spread and how it has and is being
handled, and Capitalism. How making money and politics have got in the way of
actually caring for people. How Capitalism and Colonialism are inextricably
linked and how Racism, Colonialism and Capitalism are all linked.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"=""><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7OmKNG5Wn8A6XK3cj6YqYJeo8UjdLx5DZUcTiPxCXmeYXqO-Cru3SnN_em5xR94LyDKgsE8Kex6zHaM9QFUtr1Krs_Wo_vtLfC1xk6jYIwFCSjy3vaudHJrREdFSR0rDtlcq/s1000/PICTURE07-+Quiet+Bars+and+Businesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7OmKNG5Wn8A6XK3cj6YqYJeo8UjdLx5DZUcTiPxCXmeYXqO-Cru3SnN_em5xR94LyDKgsE8Kex6zHaM9QFUtr1Krs_Wo_vtLfC1xk6jYIwFCSjy3vaudHJrREdFSR0rDtlcq/s320/PICTURE07-+Quiet+Bars+and+Businesses.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Quiet Bars and Businesses</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People
moaned at the Black Lives Matter protests happening during a pandemic but it
was something that had to happen. It was no coincidence that it happened during
a pandemic, a pandemic which has been proven to disproportionately affect BAME
people more. In such a fractured time it was inspiring to see some positive
movements with some white people finally realising the place of privilege they
come from and actually listening to BAME people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">With
Brexit looming the UK seems increasingly fractured. The Covid-19 pandemic will
have an effect on the global economy but Brexit will very much affect the UK
more than most other countries. Ireland could possibly also be hit quite badly
by Brexit but that remains to be seen as at the time of writing things are
still not very clear. One thing is for sure is that there are new shipping
routes opening up between Ireland and France to cut out the drive through the
UK that many lorries used to do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">I found it
very upsetting to read about the asylum seekers that were hounded down in the
hotel's they had been put up in during the lockdown by the far-right activists
in the UK. The hateful way these people act is beyond my comprehension and as a
UK citizen I'm absolutely ashamed that there are people that think it's ok to
act this way. The UK I'd like to see is a welcoming place for all, somewhere
known worldwide for its kindness and compassion. Unfortunately all it is known
for is its hatred and racism.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">A
vaccination is in sight, perhaps some will even be having it by the time this
goes to print. I do not believe the conspiracy theories against the vaccine and
I will have it if necessary. I have never had a flu vaccine as felt I didn't need
it but understand this is a different situation. I'm not 100% certain about
vaccines in general but I wouldn't call myself an anti-vaxxer either. I do
believe that it's important to get the correct facts and that is only from
reputable resources not from someone on YouTube claiming to be an expert. From
what I have read so far I am much more in favour of having the vaccine than not
having it. I do also believe in personal choice and would respect people who
choose not to have it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">Of course,
a bit like the Brexit referendum, people need the true and proper facts and
opinions from people who understand. If they don't get that they may make the
wrong choice. I still think many people were ill-informed and not given the
whole picture about the Brexit referendum. If they had there may well have been
a different outcome. The same applies to the measures taken to try and stop or
slow the spread of Covid-19 and to the vaccine. People need to understand more
where to find authentic facts and figures, reputable websites, peer reviewed
papers and opinions by qualified people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27LpNBN_WBL0v1bJAvV_pPI6uAQuYhU3lyJ7u2tKhHMhWrD-7-5dyT2MfQxpoHOWcwejoks3JeQBx7fTSk0OKnrFFP6_nX2REkqZzbK4CMbKDLxYEJIuzmc_IzcYzuW_NGnt8/s1000/PICTURE08-+Sam+Enjoying+the+Beach%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27LpNBN_WBL0v1bJAvV_pPI6uAQuYhU3lyJ7u2tKhHMhWrD-7-5dyT2MfQxpoHOWcwejoks3JeQBx7fTSk0OKnrFFP6_nX2REkqZzbK4CMbKDLxYEJIuzmc_IzcYzuW_NGnt8/s320/PICTURE08-+Sam+Enjoying+the+Beach%2521.jpg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Enjoying the Beach!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end
of it all, whether it's the Covid-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter, Brexit or
something else we must try and stand in solidarity with each other as fellow
humans. We need to keep dialogue open with those with different views and try
to come from a place of love and compassion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading:)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: " verdana",sans-serif;"="">Don't forget to visit my <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://samsimillia.wixsite.com/positive-evolution">Positive Evolution</a></span>
website.</span></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-72188280534147715772020-12-24T19:23:00.001+00:002020-12-24T19:23:22.762+00:00Merry Yule Bloggers!Hope all my readers have had a Blessed Solstice and have a very Merry and a Happy New Year.<div><br></div><div>Thanks for reading all my ramblings this year. Lots of Love, Sam XXX</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XZkWZXQ6Z0vPrO0FE_PtqN2CVFvqmW5y-0sj2u2IXNDvolGxSZmRZKukSmXQayH4TwnNzZzSUgiFvvACdyS9TtGkK7rUYbsexEatxlQAV-lvvv9pE5X89ikBsyymJT0o_2CR/s1600/IMG_20201223_200336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XZkWZXQ6Z0vPrO0FE_PtqN2CVFvqmW5y-0sj2u2IXNDvolGxSZmRZKukSmXQayH4TwnNzZzSUgiFvvACdyS9TtGkK7rUYbsexEatxlQAV-lvvv9pE5X89ikBsyymJT0o_2CR/s1600/IMG_20201223_200336.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="3136" data-original-height="4224" width="237" height="320"></a></div></div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-76162577773280487412020-12-15T17:14:00.004+00:002020-12-15T17:15:49.303+00:00The end of free Vanlife in Portugal?<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">or 'The criminalisation of my lifestyle in Portugal'</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sadly it seems the rich and the fascists have got their way once again, this time in Portugal. Those of us who remember the UK traveller scene in the 80s, will remember how the government criminalised our lifestyle as 'New Age Travellers' starting with draconian laws after the government stopped the peaceful Stonehenge peoples festival in 1985. That day they used horrific police brutality on Travellers themselves, their vehicles and their animals. Many in Ireland will know how anti-traveller sentiment led to car parks all getting height barriers and trespass being criminalised.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE62qAJOkhH-npDvB078kHthzx2lt5xZQavMkdFqbpYJQ1UkaZVw8MfmsnQcAEoiM919IvlIBj6HZX9-sosh7tgcGaUeXZM_pmbQbsKbhFB3ZN_b8lRApGsQGRRVeNymYO5xdn/s1000/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="926" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE62qAJOkhH-npDvB078kHthzx2lt5xZQavMkdFqbpYJQ1UkaZVw8MfmsnQcAEoiM919IvlIBj6HZX9-sosh7tgcGaUeXZM_pmbQbsKbhFB3ZN_b8lRApGsQGRRVeNymYO5xdn/s320/01.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is us, full-time van dwellers</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">There has always been anti-traveller sentiment from a section of society. Nomadic lifestyles have always scared some of the settled population, a mixture of fear, jealousy and lies in the media have contributed to the anti-traveller brigade. With the growing number of people again taking to the road, known as 'vanlifers' they are experiencing first hand the prejudice from some parts of society. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have written extensively about the hate campaign here in Portugal against all types of travellers in campervans and motorhomes. Here is seems they have it in for all of us that have vans, busses or trucks no matter whether we are full-time van dwellers, part-time or holiday makers, whether we are well off retired people in expensive motorhomes, surfer vanlifers in panel vans or hippies in old rusty vans and everyone else in between who travels and stays overnight in a vehicle.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN3j9705ZgEYPnPKmepgCgOnSS0loXhXnB1eV-VdcT1U_7G2fJ5pjA80uR0-odocop8IqqQNIOd6v6vku8By4ssnm6_YifkPGqgRg2lb8dPcExZezzA-agQmBWp83ktSavZTy/s1447/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN3j9705ZgEYPnPKmepgCgOnSS0loXhXnB1eV-VdcT1U_7G2fJ5pjA80uR0-odocop8IqqQNIOd6v6vku8By4ssnm6_YifkPGqgRg2lb8dPcExZezzA-agQmBWp83ktSavZTy/s320/02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our home on wheels</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My article - </span><a href="https://samsimillia.blogspot.com/2020/12/groups-against-camping-in-portugal.html" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Groups against 'wild camping' in Portugal</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - exposes some of the anti-campervan groups online. If you see one of your photos on their pages report them for copyright infringement and if you see a picture of yourself or your van report them for harassment</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My article - <a href="https://samsimillia.blogspot.com/2020/12/vigilantes-come-in-night-to-evict.html" target="_blank">Vigilantes come in the night to evict Vanlifers, Surfers and Motorhomers in the Western Algarve</a> - talks about the recent vigilante action, debunks the myths that people in vans leave litter, do not contribute to the economy and go to toilet in the nearest bush and gives some ideas as solutions to the issues.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My article - </span><a href="https://samsimillia.blogspot.com/2020/08/advice-for-van-dwellers-on-algarve.html" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Advice for Van Dwellers on the Algarve</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - is really an earlier version of the article above although not quite the same and much shorter with links to the Portuguese constitution in English and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My article - </span><a href="https://samsimillia.blogspot.com/2020/07/parking-in-southwest-alentejo-and-costa.html" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Parking in Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - details the harassment we got in the daytime in Sagres during the summer. While we have only experienced a few run ins with the police this year many people have also had these experiences. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EzvrIi3iqIHTfFO-hnqqCTNTaB-oyxQL3NBMX0vfx2Gt5LRvG9UQH2de6cKgdnfOEFzSejUu2G_orgNVAs0P_QDxtw8y_w5YHhTEzYW6QXy2Dk5mH_9MThHN-OUcfDDEtZ8r/s1000/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EzvrIi3iqIHTfFO-hnqqCTNTaB-oyxQL3NBMX0vfx2Gt5LRvG9UQH2de6cKgdnfOEFzSejUu2G_orgNVAs0P_QDxtw8y_w5YHhTEzYW6QXy2Dk5mH_9MThHN-OUcfDDEtZ8r/s320/03.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here we are spending money in the community, something that the anti-campervan groups say we don't do! This is at Happy Sumo in Lagos.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the 8th of January 2021 changes to the highway code in Portugal come into effect. There are a few different changes and to see all the changes you can go </span><a href="https://dre.pt/web/guest/pesquisa/-/search/150757538/details/normal?q=102-B%2F2020&filterAction=TRUE&docType_facet=LEGISLACAO&perPage=25&fqs=102-B%2F2020" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">, the changes for us van dwellers and travellers are:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">"We hereby inform you that the Government has approved changes to the Highway Code that clarify the places where motorhomes can stay overnight and parked, in contrast to the term park. At the end of a meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Secretary of State for Internal Administration Patrícia Gaspar stressed that the new changes indicate, in practice, the places where motorhomes can park and stay overnight, emphasizing that parking "is a different thing". According to the governor, parking and staying overnight is only allowed in areas previously designated for the purpose, which excludes all others that are not mentioned in the diploma. This diploma comes into force on the 8th of January 2021, and it is no longer allowed to spend the night in car parks by motorhomes, auto-dormitories or special camping vehicles. The only authorized places are the areas designated for this purpose with the indicative signs or the campsites."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Addition to the Highway Code Article 50a - Prohibition of overnight stays and parking of motorhomes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 - Without prejudice to the provisions of articles 49 and 50, overnight stays and parking of motorhomes or the like are prohibited outside the places expressly authorized for this purpose.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">2 - For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, it is considered: a) 'Parking' means the parking of the vehicle with more space than its perimeter; b) 'Motorhome or similar', a vehicle that presents a living space or that is adapted for the use of a living space, classified as 'motorhome', 'special bedroom' or 'caravan' by the Institute of Mobility and Transport, IP ; c) 'Overnight stay', the permanence of a motorhome or similar at the parking place, with occupants, between 9:00 pm one day and 7:00 am the next day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">3 - Anyone who violates the provisions of paragraph 1 shall be sanctioned with a fine of (euro) 60 to (euro) 300, unless it is an overnight stay or parking in areas of the Natura 2000 network and protected areas, in which case the fine is from (euro) 120 to (euro) 600 (euro).</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">In short unless you are parked on a campsite, aire or other area deemed as an area to park campervans you will be breaking the law if you park overnight and sleep in your vehicle anywhere else! Not sure yet what this means for people whose only home is their vehicle as the constitution here does offer some protection but who really wants to be arguing with the police over that as they are writing out a fine?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj8S3gm1BXlpHVXRwdeUlgURxIeesmiEgXM13CKV3wC9LlGeMVdVMb7KajcT1wTlVf6Gx7iZHXMPABl9cc8YPor37yQk6KbWO6w4A-ve2vJR8tRN-AJEhRQhC7LwlM9yd1dbi/s1000/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj8S3gm1BXlpHVXRwdeUlgURxIeesmiEgXM13CKV3wC9LlGeMVdVMb7KajcT1wTlVf6Gx7iZHXMPABl9cc8YPor37yQk6KbWO6w4A-ve2vJR8tRN-AJEhRQhC7LwlM9yd1dbi/s320/04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our van parked near Meia Praia beach in Lagos. This is a parking area that gets quite busy in the summer but most of the year is quiet. We park here quite often as its out of the way but with amenities like waste bins and toilets nearby.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only hope is that this new amendment to the highway code gets overturned and the people to support in doing that are the Portuguese Motorhome Association or CPA. You can join the association </span><a href="https://www.cpa-autocaravanas.com/inscricoes_online/socios_form.php" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> for 30euro a year and a one-off joining fee of 37.50euro, you can also join their online </span><a href="https://cpa-autocaravanas.com/forum/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">FORUM</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> to take part in discussion. There </span><a href="https://cpa-autocaravanas.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> is very informative and has lots of up to date information.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the press release from the CPA regarding the change to the highway code:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">To all campervans, representatives of campervans and trade companies in the campervans sector, restaurants and the small local commerce area. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Autocaravanista Association of Portugal - CPA STRONGLY REPUDES the attack on the practice of motorhome and the motorhome citizens that the concept of overnight stay introduced by Decree-Law No. 102-B / 2020 represents: “'Overnight', the permanence of a motorhome or similar at the parking place, with occupants, between 9:00 pm one day and 7:00 am the next day ”. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">After an intense manipulation of some media, in public opinion, a false image was created that the campervans do not respect the environment, nature, people and the places where they pass. Then, in the shadow of COVID-19's containment measures, when everyone at the international level argued that motorhomes were the safest and least contagious way to take a family vacation, the Government came to test the unjustified and discriminatory measure of motorhomes cannot stay overnight in the car parks near the beaches. This is a clear violation of the right of campervans to access public places. With these measures to remove motorhomes, the Government thus contributed to increasing the difficulties of local commerce, which was thus deprived of a vast number of consumers throughout the year, as are practitioners of itinerant tourism. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">AHRESP (Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar in Portugal), boasts of having the Government acceded to its pressure from the campsites it represents. In order to serve the interests of campsites, the Government in this second legislature came, with rules that we believe to be unconstitutional because they create citizens who own Light Vehicles with first and second category rights, to change the Highway Code, adding it, in the article 50a, the concept of overnight stay, which is nothing more than an instrument to accommodate the motorhome citizens in spaces that do not meet the necessary conditions to accommodate all the motorhomes that exist and circulate in the country, much less the many foreign motorhomes that pass by long periods, mainly in low season.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">We regret the practice of police forces that for a long time, and contrary to what would be desirable, voluntarily ignored the bad practices of some campervans, but who are now quick to prosecute those who, for some reason, ignore the signaling that the campervan is banned. That many municipalities, to the detriment of their local commerce and restoration, have placed.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a result of a whole campaign where they never wanted to give voice to the adversary, we also regret that, in a Rule of Law, the Authorities, the Political Power and the Judiciary, who do not forgive motorhomes, do not identify or prevent militia members in the middle of the night, armed with sticks and eventually other instruments of coercion, they replace the security forces, running with vehicles - motorhomes or adapted vehicles - that decide to stay overnight in any space, as happened in Silves and had television honors.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The CPA will do everything in its power to revert what it considers a Government decision conditioned to well-placed lobbies without having heard the interested parties. And we are working on it legally. The CPA has joined forces with the FPA to combat the damaging actions of the practice of motorhomes that have been announced for months. We salute the companies in the sector that have joined this effort.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">ONLY WITH THE UNION WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEFEND THE SELF-CARAVISM AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS THAT PRACTICE IT.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">We count on you. Count on us.</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">CPA, December 13, 2020</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5MccH1Tx9iuFeuQ0vMse8-h2o0iKfUxNd3j6utrVF_d1SebCgf-uL7G6GdzXXiTJKweSRruoPuq2SIQc08GzsBMwu1_67hYNKe0ve1jIq4Pun5AZ3Jq_X88CkJIb0-_YCJ7G/s1000/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="857" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5MccH1Tx9iuFeuQ0vMse8-h2o0iKfUxNd3j6utrVF_d1SebCgf-uL7G6GdzXXiTJKweSRruoPuq2SIQc08GzsBMwu1_67hYNKe0ve1jIq4Pun5AZ3Jq_X88CkJIb0-_YCJ7G/s320/05.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here we are enjoying the beach at Meia Praia in Lagos last month. Hardly anyone around as its a bit chilly! We do a lot of walking and swimming on this beach even in the cold.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is for certain is that these new rules will come into effect on the 8th January and it remains to be seen whether the CPA can get them overturned. I can't stress enough how important it is for anyone against these new rules to stand up and be counted, to give your support to those fighting and exposing these issues and to spread this news around the Vanlifer, Traveller, Surfer, Motorhomer, Campervanner communities. What we do not know yet is how much the police will enforce these changes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am not on Facebook or some of the other well used social media platforms so I urge anyone reading this to share the link to this article on their news feeds and in the groups they follow so as the information carries far and wide.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKuysEMpIKv2cOtjHa4pVoiVkg8CvYkbiR63VtMjQbZrmhILmogeiyVPWwSknAFVhpXq5YyoMhUG4VXsubuwet4k9OjjOoJiodOQS998MSn_c6KD0aFg6l-0NN1zMui2LNOnI/s1000/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKuysEMpIKv2cOtjHa4pVoiVkg8CvYkbiR63VtMjQbZrmhILmogeiyVPWwSknAFVhpXq5YyoMhUG4VXsubuwet4k9OjjOoJiodOQS998MSn_c6KD0aFg6l-0NN1zMui2LNOnI/s320/06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here we are parked at a beach bar near Porto Covo. We regularly play music quite late at night at venues around Portugal and generally sleep outside the venue afterwards!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some ideas for hashtags to use to promote the positive side of van dwelling, vanlife and travelling by campervan:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#leavenotrace
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#howtopoointhewild
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#buryyourshit
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#againstsurfaceshitting
</span></div><div>
</div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#parkresponsibly
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#freecampingisnotacrime
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#freecamping
</span></div><div>
</div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#campersagainstlitter
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#vanlifeagainstlitter
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#parkuppickup
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#keepitclean
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#pickupyourtrash
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#pickupyourlitter
</span></div><div>
</div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#vanlifespendinglocal
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#spendlocal
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#vanlifeshoplocal
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#shoplocal
</span></div><div>
</div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#vanlifejob
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#vanlifeworker
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#vanlifeearner
</span></div><div>
</div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#responsiblevanlife
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">#positivevanlife</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for reading :)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjkOomOtdLbMwoYMgmYQ50JvfNQFlo1DPCuEASJCFTalWH0tHUf-TwC13uZJpYmFTvPUJdTfzfzeO7i62wT96um4S5B1I19owOXTdGBRcEF2uz4xNLSySPAKTuufT9bzcwFls/s1000/07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjkOomOtdLbMwoYMgmYQ50JvfNQFlo1DPCuEASJCFTalWH0tHUf-TwC13uZJpYmFTvPUJdTfzfzeO7i62wT96um4S5B1I19owOXTdGBRcEF2uz4xNLSySPAKTuufT9bzcwFls/s320/07.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lastly here we are again spending money in the community, this time at a spa hotel in Monchique for my 50th birthday!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-28148985336422313852020-12-05T17:42:00.003+00:002020-12-05T18:28:11.230+00:00Van dwellers travelling during the pandemicIs it ok for vanlifers, campervanners, new age travellers, hippy travellers, van dwellers, motorhomers etc to be travelling during the pandemic?<div><br /></div><div>Travelling at this moment in time is being discouraged generally. There are many countries in the world with closed borders where visiting them would be impossible at the moment. There are also many countries where although travelling is not being encouraged, there are open roads, ferries and flights to these countries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some countries have quarantine requirements so as long as you abide by the rules regarding quarantine and where and when you can travel is it ok to drive around in your campervan?</div><div><br /></div><div>What has brought me to question this is the sheer amount of vanlifers and other van dwellers I see on Instagram posting about their travels during this global pandemic. I don't mean people that are generally staying in one area but people covering hundreds of miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>What is particularly worrying is the vanlife influencers or wannabe influencers that are doing this. They are basically telling all their followers it's ok to be on the road travelling at this time. Not only that but I have seen some spreading mis-information about quarantine rules and bending those rules to meet their own needs. I have also seen pictures of groups of vanlifers parked up together not socially distancing or wearing masks when they are near each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>While many people will be travelling safely, mostly obeying the rules of each country they are in, wearing masks and washing hands and not mixing with others. I do question how many are being slightly irresponsible and encouraging others to do the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>Surely someone who is willing to travel to another country in the middle of a pandemic is likely also to be the sort of person who will not take other measures as seriously such as wearing masks, hand washing and social distancing.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa0_htE7-63XfX4qaGif65KqekO1fTYv8M7bKPhWf8jwm2ru_xNMpWEjzMw55MxsLEPf2oNe0n2I1K7Nr5F4fg62FOb1I1yXfe3bly45eRD8T-GCNc9TiYoFvOQkyRl6eqmAy/s2048/IMG_6473.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa0_htE7-63XfX4qaGif65KqekO1fTYv8M7bKPhWf8jwm2ru_xNMpWEjzMw55MxsLEPf2oNe0n2I1K7Nr5F4fg62FOb1I1yXfe3bly45eRD8T-GCNc9TiYoFvOQkyRl6eqmAy/s320/IMG_6473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>In the US there has been cases of wellness/health influencers going to Mexico for holidays. Hardly prioritising the wellness and health of locals. Covid has spread in holiday destinations like Tulum and Cancun and some sources say that is due to North Americans heading south to avoid restrictions in the US and Canada.</div><div><br /></div><div>While this doesn't seem to be the case in Europe it is worrying that people, and especially influencers, are prepared to travel in this reckless manner. Posting images online if their travels influences others to behave in similar ways and thus potentially spreading the virus. It's not just about one person, it's about normalising this colonial mindset. Travelling, no social distancing, mixing with others, that is what is being moulded by these influencers.</div><div><br /></div><div>People have claimed that they are contributing to, (which ever country they are in), economy after a very hard year particularly in areas that rely heavily on tourism. Is this a valid claim? Why not just donate money to one of the many charities that are helping people who have been hit the hardest? </div><div><br /></div><div>What personal responsibility do influencers, and specifically vanlife influencers have to their followers? It seems they are engaging in an activity that stinks of an exceptionalism, and brings to mind our colonial ancestors who also spread disease. Travelling to other countries for fun in these times is the height of privilege. Let's not forget some people are barely surviving during this pandemic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who we follow on social media says as much about us as who we surround ourselves with in the real world. The people we follow and who we are friends with reflect our morals and values. Our actions are a reflection of who we are, we are our choices, not our words or thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were in one place during the first lockdown in Morocco as we had been there anyway when the pandemic first struck. We decided then that the safest for us and for others we came into contact with was to stay put. After four months there we, with the help of the UK embassy got a ferry to Spain. From there we drove straight back to the Lagos area in Portugal where we spend a lot of our time. We are still here five months later, we've hardly left the municipality and have not done any unnecessary trips outside of our local area. We have hardly seen anyone or mixed with anyone.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFMvStwGEk9RJgYSnU9AkalPCVBciG6bLrYACdWyy0x7Gx_I7fBHMeF0ie1yTjWsBD7b0aS1S2q3xhtS5oxEusYOU3PrAqIXjWT3S-YfW8g02mkbWLpmZhyalZKC5ziHGTHc8/s2048/IMG_20201129_163356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1520" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFMvStwGEk9RJgYSnU9AkalPCVBciG6bLrYACdWyy0x7Gx_I7fBHMeF0ie1yTjWsBD7b0aS1S2q3xhtS5oxEusYOU3PrAqIXjWT3S-YfW8g02mkbWLpmZhyalZKC5ziHGTHc8/s320/IMG_20201129_163356.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The idea for this article came from an Instagram post I saw from The Wellness Therapist about a wellness influencer in the US having their wedding in Mexico, they had t-shirts labelling them wedding refugees, and the point of the post was more about potentially spreading the virus in poorer communities and the outrageous way they labelled themselves refugees. I felt that there were similarities to the vanlife movement in Europe and although not necessarily quite so serious, a valid point needed to be made. This article does include some text from The Wellness Therapist post, many thanks to Azi for letting me use it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading :)</div>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-15395003484301450072020-12-04T13:44:00.001+00:002020-12-04T14:02:58.195+00:00Groups against 'wild camping' in Portugal<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">After my post a few days ago about the actions of some local people evicting people in motorhomes from where they were parked I did some research into a couple of online groups that I found that are actively against the ‘wild’ campers in the Villa do Bispo area.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I found that one of these groups openly supports the Chega party, the far-right political party in Portugal. I also found that followers of these groups were not all the environment lovers they claim to be. One of the major sources of complaint has been people parking in the Natural Park overnight, something that is prohibited. The 'anti wild camping' campaigners often say the environment is being ruined because of campervans parking overnight. <br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">These groups are taking photos and videos of people and their vehicles without their knowledge and posting on social media. They post mostly rather ambiguous pictures of campervans next to litter or just pictures of litter accusing the people in campervans of leaving the litter. They also post pictures of people's vehicles accusing them of being illegal vehicles, accusations that are totally unsubstantiated.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I have recently written to some of the media outlets and motorhome organisations in the Algarve making them aware of the links to the Chega party. I hope that the media stops adding to the far-right populist campaign of hate against foreigners in motorhomes by better research into the actual facts before adding to this narrative that it is ALL and ONLY people in campervans leaving litter, going to the toilet in nature and disrespecting the environment.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I also hope that moving forward there can be better solutions to the problem of parking in the Natural Parks of Portugal. I hope that members of the public will not be drawn into this political circus by the far-right and realise that most people in campervans are decent people who have worked hard to buy themselves some freedom on wheels and are as concerned about the environment as most other people. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Below are screenshots of two of the social media groups I have found who are spreading lies and misleading people with their photos and text.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgH_xotCZ1O_75O31F_ze_yDPelbxoyy_SPcElpgNAsk1ppHD-h0ZRFzO45QOggqvzKzxplWF8Z2-tkRK9xlVC4wODd4MxcFdFmk7fk0r_EfdiZYJJsGSt9AQVB0-cWyUPbTC/s1600/Screenshot_2020-12-03-14-50-25-246_com.instagram.android.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgH_xotCZ1O_75O31F_ze_yDPelbxoyy_SPcElpgNAsk1ppHD-h0ZRFzO45QOggqvzKzxplWF8Z2-tkRK9xlVC4wODd4MxcFdFmk7fk0r_EfdiZYJJsGSt9AQVB0-cWyUPbTC/s1600/Screenshot_2020-12-03-14-50-25-246_com.instagram.android.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="2340" width="147" height="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FsQDbSV_4SU_8R6qc-yJECC94Ak2xi_k14aQ0bHYg2A8U6sOGuF-VcqNKaEzpXgm39aNze1PXrQMknZb2Qkk8kZ0tCETJ8W6v-Ei0cpe8EKPmA5TaaTzfC9tRf4mOmmX5XHQ/s1600/Screenshot_2020-12-03-14-50-35-773_com.instagram.android.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FsQDbSV_4SU_8R6qc-yJECC94Ak2xi_k14aQ0bHYg2A8U6sOGuF-VcqNKaEzpXgm39aNze1PXrQMknZb2Qkk8kZ0tCETJ8W6v-Ei0cpe8EKPmA5TaaTzfC9tRf4mOmmX5XHQ/s1600/Screenshot_2020-12-03-14-50-35-773_com.instagram.android.jpg" border="0" data-original-width="1080" data-original-height="2340" width="147" height="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">I would hope that most people are aware this is going on but some do not. Some people who have been photographed or their homes have been photographed will have no idea so please do share this among your van dwelling friends.</div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;">Thanks for reading :)</div><br></div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; line-height: 15.6933px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br></p>Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054613.post-2935274936197566052020-12-01T14:37:00.008+00:002020-12-01T14:39:03.780+00:00Vigilantes come in the night to evict Vanlifers, Surfers and Motorhomers in the Western Algarve
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks
for arriving at this article! If you don't want to read the whole article as I
appreciate it's quite long then scroll down to the bottom for a summary of the
main points. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Last
Saturday (the 21st November 2020) there was some disturbing news emerging about
some locals from the Vila do Bispo area getting together and taking it upon
themselves to evict people in campervans from beach car parks in the Costa
Vicentina national park. There has been ongoing problems with the arrival of
more and more people in campervans and motorhomes over the last few years to
this area of Portugal. Most of the negative reporting about people in vans is
actually a very small minority of people and includes day trippers in cars,
locals and tourists alike.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MaxMQdVvlTG2_e7JwFy1HnpnamKbTHGduWT-f7pS0I8Jjag-wWtYZRTTtdjjz1DZke_xOxasS431cxSFCwfYgYbNP6mpPUwac8_AZisvvOb6MK-0Z_HSYhuWQjTxqPyTRf6Q/s750/PICTURE+01+-+Campervans+at+a+Beach+in+the+Natural+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MaxMQdVvlTG2_e7JwFy1HnpnamKbTHGduWT-f7pS0I8Jjag-wWtYZRTTtdjjz1DZke_xOxasS431cxSFCwfYgYbNP6mpPUwac8_AZisvvOb6MK-0Z_HSYhuWQjTxqPyTRf6Q/s320/PICTURE+01+-+Campervans+at+a+Beach+in+the+Natural+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Campervans at a Beach in the Natural Park</span></i></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--></td></tr></tbody></table><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">These
issues really need addressing urgently before someone gets hurt. Vigilante
groups are a scary enough thought for people in campervans but also the locals
themselves may well end up putting themselves in danger if they pick on the
wrong person in a van or if someone gets spooked and uses a weapon.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
first emerging article can be found in Sic Notícias <a href="https://sicnoticias.pt/pais/2020-11-21-Grupo-de-cidadaos-expulsa-campistas-da-costa-vicentina">HERE</a>
with a video some of which shows part of the eviction. This article only says
that people in campervans are filling the beaches where overnight stays are
prohibited. This is true, in protected areas of Portugal, the natural parks,
overnight parking of ANY vehicle is prohibited and camping and caravanning is
not allowed. This is decree law no. 142/2008 24 July.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It
is also true that many people are not aware of the law, are not aware where the
natural park actually is as if you haven't looked it up then the signs in some
places are non- existent. There is also a lack of signs saying that no vehicles
can park overnight. As many local fishermen park cars for all or some of the
night on these same car parks it is understandable that people either are not
aware, get confused or think if it's ok for them it's ok for us.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I
and many others in campervans and motorhomes are more than happy to obey the
laws in Portugal on parking and camping but the authorities have to take
responsibility for making people aware of the situation regarding where it is
ok to park, especially when they are so keen to advertise Portugal as a holiday
destination in most of not all of the northern European countries the vast
majority of van dwellers come from. They also need to appreciate not everyone
wants to use a campsite and people should not feel forced to. There should be
other options available.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
police, or more specifically the GNR often use heavy handed tactics to remove
people in the natural park. They must also take responsibility for their poor
handling of the situation on most occasions. Waking people up in the early
hours of the morning to move them, frightening them by banging on their doors
violently seems rather over the top for a parking infringement. There is no
reason why the police cannot arrive in the evenings before people are asleep
and before drivers may have consumed too much alcohol to legally drive to tell
them they cannot stay the night. They could come back later or in the morning
and issue each vehicle with a parking type ticket. </span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
have been many occasions when the police have moved people in the early hours
of the morning when it has not been safe for some people to drive. Still drowsy
from sleep or over the legal drink drive limit and upset children has been
mentioned by campervanners who have been moved in the night. The police do not
care if you tell them you are too tired to drive or that you are over the legal
limit of alcohol to drive, they just want you gone.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">So
it looks like the police put a parking infringement as more important than
dangerous driving. The <a href="http://www2.icnf.pt/portal">ICNF</a>, (The
Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests), who are the body that
takes care of the natural parks should be ashamed of the way they police their
parks. The parking issues are surely more a matter for ICNF wardens rather than
the police. I understand not everything works the same in different countries
but an approach more like the forest areas in the UK where it's more likely a
forest warden or National Trust warden who will ask you not to park overnight
in a specific area seems a much more peaceful approach. It also leaves the
police to concentrate on actual crimes that are more important.</span> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ApNGopsTOA5VTcDSqVKeURRX9P8N2esFCqanBBSiX3IpPcjORxyxfvHS7vVtoS3Y2u1esewAyQeop88GP3eShMRQ6wtiEMmWDjduRLDXdCoEkXb4ZQJfC9xgjQK6aL8Q6NJ3/s750/PICTURE+02+-+The+Natural+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ApNGopsTOA5VTcDSqVKeURRX9P8N2esFCqanBBSiX3IpPcjORxyxfvHS7vVtoS3Y2u1esewAyQeop88GP3eShMRQ6wtiEMmWDjduRLDXdCoEkXb4ZQJfC9xgjQK6aL8Q6NJ3/s320/PICTURE+02+-+The+Natural+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">The Natural Park</span></span></i></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
article also appeared <a href="https://www.portugalresident.com/locals-carry-out-night-raids-on-camper-vans-and-tents/">HERE</a>
in one of the English papers in Portugal, the Portugal Resident. Basically
exactly the same article as in Sic Notícias. What was as disturbing as hearing
of the vigilante action of locals was the article <a href="https://beachcam.meo.pt/newsroom/2020/11/caravanistas-e-campistas-ilegais-expulsos-por-populares-em-vila-do-bispo/">HERE</a>
on the MEO Beachcam website. The article was full of anti-foreigner rhetoric
with an unsubstantiated claim of 70% of Covid-19 in the area being amongst
foreigners. I wonder as who is releasing data on which nationality in an area
has tested positive as I have not seen this. If this is true then I would hazard
a guess it is mainly foreigners that live more permanently in the area rather
than campervanners that have contracted the virus. For more information on the
Covid-19 situation in Portugal see the health departments’ website <a href="https://covid19.min-saude.pt/">HERE</a>.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">It
also goes on to say that many of the campervanners have come to the Portuguese
coast as the ideal destination to spend the period away from the more
restrictive measures due to Covid-19 in their respective countries. This,
although true for some I'm sure, is simply not the whole picture as there are
much less campervans and motorhomes here in the area than previous winters.
Many more people have stayed away and are staying in their home countries. </span> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRu0D1oZZoOULUpFSzE-KbGFBGBSDBY8nRBloPrJjhqAtcfmDYV2-KpEPisM9zEudApPv5r0X77ZpnosztvGKG_38jDX1SlvMTNTA3KjrXhFCOxWQB8wV3aLn2JxYs-rvqQ2s/s750/PICTURE+03+-+Empty+Car+Park+in+the+Natural+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRu0D1oZZoOULUpFSzE-KbGFBGBSDBY8nRBloPrJjhqAtcfmDYV2-KpEPisM9zEudApPv5r0X77ZpnosztvGKG_38jDX1SlvMTNTA3KjrXhFCOxWQB8wV3aLn2JxYs-rvqQ2s/s320/PICTURE+03+-+Empty+Car+Park+in+the+Natural+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Empty Car Park in the
Natural Park</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
anti-campervan rhetoric is mostly the same as it has always been against
nomadic people of all types; they leave rubbish, they are dirty, they don't
spend money in the community, they spoil the view etc. I'm going to try an
address some of these issues and offer some solutions to these ongoing
problems. Solutions which the authorities need to be looking at as the
campervan craze isn't going away anytime soon!</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
will always be members of the public who don't like a group of people whether
it's because they are van dwellers, foreigners, hippies, surfers, not rich
enough, not good looking enough, there are always bitter or jealous or fascist
people. All of us decent people that want to be able to just go about our
business legally without fear of vigilantes or the authorities need to come
together with the authorities to help find a way forward. The situation with
campervans in the natural park seems more about picking on a specific group of
people for things they are not the only ones doing than any real care for the
protection of the natural park. </span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">No-one
wants this vigilante action getting out of control, it would be a massive blow
to the whole of tourism in Portugal if there was more of this. Portugal is seen
as one of the safest destinations to live and take a holiday but if there is
any kind of violence towards a tourist and this makes the news outside of
Portugal it will not look good. Already the anti-foreigner rhetoric on some
websites will be off putting for all tourists not just van dwellers.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmPdxQUJT_px2UMgmQSATo2yHVDMKfPFoNZRx7kIDo-l9VCGtiJQhLjXx8T9NLeETClacOmrYIgsIh81HTY9jutWK5D9QeGifBLPDzlxUlINlJhlkIeG1dwSgwFcl4XkYKpP8/s655/PICTURE+04+-+Wild+Campers+Fuck+Off.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="655" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmPdxQUJT_px2UMgmQSATo2yHVDMKfPFoNZRx7kIDo-l9VCGtiJQhLjXx8T9NLeETClacOmrYIgsIh81HTY9jutWK5D9QeGifBLPDzlxUlINlJhlkIeG1dwSgwFcl4XkYKpP8/s320/PICTURE+04+-+Wild+Campers+Fuck+Off.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Stickers that have been put on vans in the Natural Park<br /></i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
first issue that is always put down to people in campervans is litter or
rubbish. Apparently, if you believe media reports, all campervanners leave
rubbish behind them when they leave. From my experience of over 10 years living
full-time in a van and being in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and
Morocco, I would like to bet that around 98% of people in vans are very
conscious of where their rubbish goes. Nearly all of them will have a bin
inside their van and most car parks have public litter bins anyway.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
issue with litter in Portugal is much bigger than campervans. There is a
problem in the wider society with litter. Time and time again I see a range of
litter issues. There are overflowing small bins where 50metres away is massive
bins. There are areas where people go drinking and bottles are strewn
everywhere. There are places people go to eat take-away food and the packaging
is thrown out of the car. There are always places where fly-tipping building
materials is common. The Portuguese seem to not actually care that much about
litter.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I
have travelled extensively in Western Europe since a small child in the 1970s. In
my experience Spain has one of the worst problem with litter, rubbish and fly
tipping I have seen. Portugal however is not that far behind and definitely
worse than the UK, Ireland, France, Holland and Germany. Most of the
campervanners come from the Northern European countries I just mentioned,
countries where leaving litter is more frowned upon, countries that in general
have less of a problem with litter. Do these Northern Europeans get in their
campervans and forget a lifetime of the normal way to dispose of litter? I
think not, what I think is that campervanners are a good scapegoat. Sure there
are some culprits in vans when it comes to leaving litter but they are
absolutely not leaving beach carparks and other areas full of rubbish.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I
studied psychology when I was younger and one of the things we studied was how
we react to our environment. In studies the presence of existing litter was
strongly predictive of littering behaviour. So if you’re in a place that’s
already highly littered, you’re much more likely to litter than if you’re in a
place that’s clean or free of litter. Something that the authorities really
need to understand and act upon.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This
year we have seen many campervanners pick up litter in an area they are parked
in. Some campervanners always do this and I think many more are starting to due
to the media reports. They don’t want to get a bad name for litter that is
already there. It is not just up to campervanners though, everyone should be
doing this. It is not just up to the authorities, we all need to work together.
Without a wider campaign in Portugal against littering, leaving rubbish and fly
tipping I fear the campervanners who clean up the area they park in are
fighting a losing battle but it is a start and it is something all of us in
vans that care about this issue can do, whatever country we are in.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
other main issue which goes hand in hand with the litter issue is toilet paper,
urine, human waste and toilet tanks all causing distress to other people.
Without a doubt the single biggest problem is toilet paper and once again it is
a much bigger issue than campervanners. </span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Most
of the toilet paper blowing around seems to be from women and girls having a
wee. As a woman myself and not satisfied with the 'drip dry' method of drying
myself I use toilet paper when having a wee. I always bring it back to the van
where it goes in our wood burner and gets burnt. In the height of summer in
Portugal when there is maximum fire risk I use the bin in our van. I would hope
most women who use toilet paper dispose of their toilet paper properly but
there is obviously quite a few who do not. I can only imagine it is a mixture
of some not caring, some not wanting to carry the used paper back to a bin and
some perhaps embarrassed to be seen with the paper. I really don't know but I
do know there are not loads of women in campervans going for a wee outside and
leaving their tissue.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">What
I do know is there are plenty of people in cars that come to the beach and
other natural area for a few hours or even the whole day and if there are no
facilities provided and nature calls then the only option is behind a bush. This
needs to be addressed and there needs to be women speaking up about this
matter. There also needs to be better infrastructure in place. When car parks
are built and tourists are encouraged to visit there should always be a toilet
provided. We will come back to that a bit later.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><i><span style="background-color: white;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTXNJ3hHgnZ-qwUKnNGABOZvBg9L9K1UYdFDFl_dhqeUENRFDQDn8QtNJADzncjRn-zoOIf_vTH48No4OEgoXo3ecn2BprNRnsSAsJp-F7NsFntL2i-nQvmG5hliPkoBjkUbO/s750/PICTURE+05+-+Parked+in+the+Natural+Park.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTXNJ3hHgnZ-qwUKnNGABOZvBg9L9K1UYdFDFl_dhqeUENRFDQDn8QtNJADzncjRn-zoOIf_vTH48No4OEgoXo3ecn2BprNRnsSAsJp-F7NsFntL2i-nQvmG5hliPkoBjkUbO/s320/PICTURE+05+-+Parked+in+the+Natural+Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Parked in the Natural Park</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></i>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
seems to be some main types of campervanners and I'm sorry to have to group
people like this. It is merely to try and really examine this issue and debunk
all the myths. There are obviously people that don't fit into a group and
plenty of crossover but for the ease of the discussion I am going to use this
way of grouping people together. This is only for the issue of going to the
toilet rather than any of the other issues.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">First
we have the people in factory build motorhomes, quite often, (but by no means
always), these are older, sometimes retired people. Those retired or not
working full-time often come from northern Europe to spend winters in the
sunnier weather of the Algarve and the ones still working will take holidays
and long weekends in their motorhomes. All these motorhomes have built-in
toilets usually ones that the waste fills up what is known as a cassette. The
cassette can then be taken out from a door on the outside of the motorhome and
emptied.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Then
we have often, (but not exclusively), younger vanlifers and surfers who usually
have a panel van which they have either built the insides themselves or got a
professional to build it for them. Some of these have the built in cassette
type toilet, some have compost toilets and others use a porta potty which is a self-contained
portable toilet that has a section which collects the waste that needs emptying
in the same way as a cassette. Some do not have a toilet at all.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
are what in the UK would be called New Age Travellers or hippies. In other
parts of Europe there are other names. On Portuguese online groups they are
often called 'bare foots' as some walk around in the town and even in shops and
bars with bare feet. Most of these, (but again not all), do not have a toilet
in their van. Lastly there is the massive increase, particularly this summer in
rental campervans. Some have toilets and some do not. Most people in these vans
have little or no experience of campervanning.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
first issue is with those who have no toilet. Where do they relieve themselves?
I'm talking poo here of course as I think we all know most guys can pretty much
wee anywhere and we've already talked about women leaving their toilet paper
after having a wee. Worth noting though that in the dry hot summer months even
urine can cause a problem with many people going in the same place with no rain
to wash it away, it can cause a very unpleasant smell. Most responsible and
aware people, (like us and many others like us), use public toilets when
available, will go to a cafe or bar and use the toilets there, or will go
somewhere private, dig a hole, do their business and cover it up.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Not
so responsible people will go too near to public paths and not dig a hole or
cover it in any way. That leads to people discovering it, and potentially them
or their dog stepping in it or worse the dog eating it and coming back to give
their owner a kiss! Pretty disgusting and no wonder people get very upset when
they come across a human shit. Also not only will these irresponsible people
leave their poo to get discovered they will also leave their toilet roll that
can often be seen blowing around. The toilet paper that has brown stains on is
somehow even worse to see than the other paper blowing around.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">How
do we encourage people to poo responsibly? In the UK back in the 80s a friend
of mine made a flyer encouraging people to bury their shit. This was printed
and distributed around free festival sites for all the people that came in cars
from towns and cities who didn't know the etiquette that the New Age Travellers
already knew. It doesn't take long when you live on a traveller site with
children and dogs to all realise how important it is to bury your shit properly
away from the communal and public areas!</span>
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDwCUvlXoJQvnsjMyb53RvtL6LgznaZTEHpYEsZwAKANC9xWB9Hs2vjVTC-oudW2_0qofII7pRd-46Ha_rlR9RlM3924-hv-ntN9N-T_70c3HWLPbJAl8-4uVQO8HzEL34Jgp/s500/PICTURE+06+-+Bury+Your+Shit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDwCUvlXoJQvnsjMyb53RvtL6LgznaZTEHpYEsZwAKANC9xWB9Hs2vjVTC-oudW2_0qofII7pRd-46Ha_rlR9RlM3924-hv-ntN9N-T_70c3HWLPbJAl8-4uVQO8HzEL34Jgp/s320/PICTURE+06+-+Bury+Your+Shit.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Ella's flyer - Bury Your Shit!</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Could
this be a way for the whole community of motorhomers, campervanners, hippies,
surfers, travellers and vanlifers to come together? For someone to make a
printable flyer that could circulate among all these people, that rental
companies could put in every van? Something in many languages or in pictures
that anyone can understand? Just a flyer asking for litter to be put in a bin
and shit to be buried. Already some people make signs for parking areas asking
people not to leave litter or telling them to bury their shit. Online there is
a massive backlash against litter and shit among the van communities but
obviously the message is not getting through to everyone. Or is this a waste of
time as it is such a small minority spoiling it for the rest? I would love to
know what people think.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
is also the fact that again this is not just people in vans. The message needs
to get to everyone and the van communities cannot do that alone. The authorities
need to take some responsibility on their shoulders too with more anti
littering campaigns. There also needs to be a fresh look at the beach and
nature car parks that they encourage local people and tourists to come to. How
can they justify encouraging people to spend time somewhere where there is not
even a toilet? How can they justify spending the money on a car park and
advertising their natural park and beach but not spending money on something as
basic as a toilet?</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Let's
not forget a lot of EU money has been used to build car parks and set up
natural parks, not to mention the roads that lead to them. Those granted this
funding have a responsibility to make it welcome for all citizens to enjoy no
matter whether they are a rich tourist spending huge amounts of money or
someone in a van on a budget. The basics of a public toilet is something sorely
missing in a lot of places in Portugal where they encourage people to spend
time.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
other issue that comes up is the emptying of cassette toilets or porta potties
somewhere they shouldn't be emptied. This gets mentioned most times there is a
media article about 'wild camping' but I think this is way over exaggerated. It
does happen occasionally but it is not something that is a regular occurrence.
Unfortunately litter, human excrement and toilet paper are much more of a
common occurrence. </span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In
over 10 years living in vans I have only once seen someone empty their cassette
into a bush. Another couple of times I have smelt the smell of a chemical
toilet as if maybe nearby someone has emptied their cassette but I have not
seen it so cannot be sure. Most people in motorhomes know where the places are
to empty their toilet waste, most towns in Portugal have somewhere. It is
unusual to find that sort of waste and again I do not believe that it happens
very often at all.</span> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><i><span style="background-color: white;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5WzcaQe_NHiY9Lvhbgt1AdQuL7reuL-avopK5_91gPymJoUNZ_p3KKOByJtU-znNfBIvRYkt9g95fX46NUNdy5wWtqkZw2PZIxiuUsAcu0QLT273J3713gQEW3fD8bvSnSQ4/s750/PICTURE+07+-+The+Natural+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5WzcaQe_NHiY9Lvhbgt1AdQuL7reuL-avopK5_91gPymJoUNZ_p3KKOByJtU-znNfBIvRYkt9g95fX46NUNdy5wWtqkZw2PZIxiuUsAcu0QLT273J3713gQEW3fD8bvSnSQ4/s320/PICTURE+07+-+The+Natural+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">The Natural Park</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></i>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">One
of the other issues some locals do not seem happy about is they feel most
people in campervans and motorhomes who 'wild' or 'free' camp do not spend
money in the community. They feel that at least if those people pay for a
campsite then they are contributing something. This keeps being brought up, and
actually although on hearing this argument many people agree, it is not as
black and white as it seems.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Let's
look at these 'free' campers first, some will just do a shop in a supermarket
and buy diesel in a gas station and little else. Is there anything
fundamentally wrong with that? We are after all EU citizens, most people will
have worked at some point and paid taxes in their EU country. They will have
contributed in some other way other than buying shopping, to a system that then
takes a percentage of the taxes raised and invests them in projects all over
the EU including parks and roads in Portugal among other things.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Here
in Portugal we have supermarkets whose head offices are in Germany, Portugal
and France. We have gas stations whose head offices are in Spain and Portugal.
We are all, (mostly), part of the EU, does it really matter exactly where our
money is going within it? I'm sure there are plenty of Portuguese people who
generally shop at German supermarkets and use Spanish gas stations but pay
their tax in Portugal. There will also be foreigners that shop at Portuguese
supermarkets and gas stations but have paid tax somewhere else. </span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Locals
want tourists in campervans to use campsites but one of the main campsite
chains here has its head office in France and is a Europe wide company. Locals
seem to be under the impression that other types of tourists bring in more
money but that would not necessarily be the case. Many hotel chains are not
Portuguese companies, many apartments that get rented out are owned by
foreigners. Many people on self-catering holidays will only buy from a
supermarket and not much else.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
whole attitude of only wanting a certain 'type' of tourist is fundamentally
wrong. Portugal is open to all and all should be welcomed, the amount of money
they spend or where they spend it is irrelevant. The idea that a tourist is
obligated to spend money in any area is ridiculous. Mass tourism is a problem
and a problem that usually causes the rich to get richer and most locals to lose
out. They may get low paid work but their own cost of living goes up, they can
be priced out of being able to buy in their own area and the negative impact on
the environment is huge. The 'problem' with tourism is more about mass tourism
than a few people in vans who don't eat out at the local restaurants every
night!</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Also
of course it is a total misconception that people in vans do not sometimes
spend money in the community. We drink in bars, we go out to restaurants and we
have been known to occasionally go to cultural places and events. Plenty of
other van dwellers also do this, some more than others but many do spend money
in the community they stay in.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><i><span style="background-color: white;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pRycEo5zlaq0AVYLDuToYohpVtbl30nZz-mIRLN1tgq7Z-Du6MP295pXtnZ16bdMmAkdpKbI5Wpeshqi5V92lXEInjkS43Xc_oNzgtgKkd3ccPeIGujfcYUC8NgJnru7aQy4/s750/PICTURE+08+-+Parking+in+the+Natural+Park.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pRycEo5zlaq0AVYLDuToYohpVtbl30nZz-mIRLN1tgq7Z-Du6MP295pXtnZ16bdMmAkdpKbI5Wpeshqi5V92lXEInjkS43Xc_oNzgtgKkd3ccPeIGujfcYUC8NgJnru7aQy4/s320/PICTURE+08+-+Parking+in+the+Natural+Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Parking in the Natural
Park</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></i>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
is a couple of other issues that always come up, both of which I personally
feel are really irrelevant and either come from a place of jealousy or fear.
One is that the campervans or motorhomes are ugly and spoil the view. Many
would argue that some of the permanent dwellings given planning permission are
far uglier than a row of vans! It seems some people who buy property in the
area feel that they 'own' the view of the sea or beach or other natural beauty
spot. Of course none of us own a view and this way of thinking is very destructive.
It can just as easily happen that land in front of your view gets bought and a
big house gets built there. At least the vans are transient!</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
other issue is the appearance of some van dwellers, this is only ever referring
of course to the more 'hippy' types. There is a small section of society here
in Portugal, just like elsewhere that do not like the look of certain types of
people. Most of us know that to judge someone on appearances alone leads to all
kinds of misconceptions but sadly it does still happen. In both these cases it
reminds me of the saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. I personally
do not like the look of golf complexes or ugly modern hotels, I don't like the
look, for myself, of very formal clothes but I accept the world is not designed
to just my taste! A more accepting attitude of everyone would go a long way to
make the world a nicer place to live!</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">There
is also a grey area in which things get confusing as regards parking overnight.
In the natural parks no vehicle can park overnight so that's simple. In other
places there are sometimes signs saying no camping or signs with a picture of a
motorhome with a line through it. Firstly these signs are often not even legal
signs as they do not say either the issuing authority or under which law the
sign is in relation to. Secondly 'camping' is different to 'parking' so in many
places you cannot 'camp' in your van, which means having chairs, tables,
washing line, or even steps outside. You can however 'park' in your van during
the day and/or night, you can legally be in your van asleep or awake as long as
you are legally parked with nothing outside. This is an important point to
remember.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZLj-XSsFjo7kCH-lOsRs7e2LP3Mr2DevOfuqkIawQBGb5dVFfT2_WaxIlmukI42-7ApPWpYitdLPCaajBPeyV3xBS8Do8V29pBFclES15FITCoCMLrDANv5m0ad4FT3Nvb7x/s750/PICTURE+09+-+Illegal+Sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZLj-XSsFjo7kCH-lOsRs7e2LP3Mr2DevOfuqkIawQBGb5dVFfT2_WaxIlmukI42-7ApPWpYitdLPCaajBPeyV3xBS8Do8V29pBFclES15FITCoCMLrDANv5m0ad4FT3Nvb7x/s320/PICTURE+09+-+Illegal+Sign.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Illegal Sign </span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DnkxZpDz4tJ2T2kpDxBoQnYcoQNXzRFeayNkU39pzC0XbZmyPfiM3fKlQdVym81zyfNcdSzLPNagBmJl_sZph6mVSWUE_FKg-89_hyphenhyphengAUzfGbRPeCvGlcgNH2L2xe1ihhJod/s750/PICTURE+10+-+Legal+Sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DnkxZpDz4tJ2T2kpDxBoQnYcoQNXzRFeayNkU39pzC0XbZmyPfiM3fKlQdVym81zyfNcdSzLPNagBmJl_sZph6mVSWUE_FKg-89_hyphenhyphengAUzfGbRPeCvGlcgNH2L2xe1ihhJod/s320/PICTURE+10+-+Legal+Sign.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Legal Sign</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<i><span style="background-color: white;">
</span></i><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="background-color: white;"></span></i><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As
I've already mentioned the Portuguese tourist board actively encourages tourists
from northern Europe with adverts in those countries. One of the biggest
campaigns is to surfers or to people who want to learn to surf. Portugal has
some of the best beaches in Europe for surfing and holds surf competitions that
attract people from all over the world. In the western Algarve there are many
surf beaches and many surf schools. </span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Isn't
the classic picture of a surfer the VW campervan with the surfboards on the
roof? Is it not obvious that if you advertise how great the surf is then many
people will come to try it? Isn't it also true that you cannot tell them that
they have to pay quite a lot of money merely to park overnight?</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Many
people, not only surfers but all sorts of van dwellers, do not want to be on a
campsite, for different reasons. Some want more freedom to just arrive somewhere
and stay the night. Some are on a limited budget and the campsite is an added
expense. Some, (especially in the time of Covid-19), don't want to be around
lots of people. Whatever the reasons it's the same as saying everyone who comes
as a tourist has to stay in a certain type of accommodation. It's limiting and
it's an infringement of people's freedom.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
idea of aires is always mentioned as a way to ease the problem of ‘free camping’.
I think there is room for all sorts of camping, firstly the traditional
campsite, secondly a range of aires and thirdly an acceptance of some parking
in normal carparks. Aires work well in France, there are many of them, from
free ones with no facilities to ones almost as expensive as campsites with
toilets, showers, picnic area, BBQ area and playground. Portugal has some aires
but not enough and sadly one of the biggest ones in the area, in Lagos, near
the border of the Costa Vicentina natural park got closed at the start of the
Covid-19 pandemic and has never re-opened.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">This
aire used to get very busy at times, it was €3 to park for 24hrs, drinking
water was available for €2 for 100ltrs, there was a place to empty toilets and
grey water and showers were available in the building nearby for €2. Much
cheaper than a campsite and you could stay for as long as you liked. Up in the
area where I used to live in Portugal there is a small village called Barril de
Alva, by the beautiful river Alva there is a free aire. There is free mountain
spring water, somewhere to empty toilets and grey water, treated water for, (I
think), €1 for 100ltrs and electric hook up for €3 a day. There is a restaurant
there where you can use the toilet and get lovely traditional Portuguese meals
for lunch or dinner. The only condition is you don’t stay for more than 72hrs.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
system works, it rarely gets abused, it brings people to the area and they feel
welcomed and safe. The municipality there have realised that if you offer a
nice place to park and some basic amenities then people will come. Those people
will also spend money, most people that park at the aire in Barril de Alva will
have at least one meal at the restaurant there. It seems like a no-brainer to
me and many others like me. There is plenty of room in the western Algarve
where there could be more aires and there could be a range of aires, some free,
some that cost a few euros. Even normal car parks could turn some bays into
specific campervan bays and let people in motorhomes park there overnight for a
maximum stay, 48 or 72 hours seems fair enough.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6-WJmGGDXRuleLLeE0k6OJYIiEBqlvv8jeY-vUvZLUYndg8GlOxmiAPlHToiSThoB4r53rJ525viFSUmT-3ii9HhhRQaYMAgjG8rqfnIp4_d_JMna24IR7l96P2AxydXzfWv/s750/PICTURE+11+-+The+Natural+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6-WJmGGDXRuleLLeE0k6OJYIiEBqlvv8jeY-vUvZLUYndg8GlOxmiAPlHToiSThoB4r53rJ525viFSUmT-3ii9HhhRQaYMAgjG8rqfnIp4_d_JMna24IR7l96P2AxydXzfWv/s320/PICTURE+11+-+The+Natural+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">The Natural Park</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember
that while you are in your van that is your home and do not be intimidated by
others who do not want you there. The Portuguese constitution is very strong on
having the freedom to live however you want without discrimination or harassment.
It is worth looking at and can be found <a href="https://dre.pt/constitution-of-the-portuguese-republic">HERE</a>. There
is also a very good association in Portugal for people in motorhomes and
campervans and their website is full of great information. If you cannot read
in Portuguese I suggest using a browser that will automatically translate each
page as you read such as Google Chrome. They are the CPA, and can be found <a href="https://cpa-autocaravanas.com/">HERE</a>.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In
summary I feel the whole situation is being badly managed by the ICNF, the GNR,
the Portuguese tourist board and the government. I feel there is more
campervanners can do but most of that will only help if the authorities play
their part too.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Points
for Van Dwellers:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">1.
Leave no litter of any kind. Make use of the massive trash bins and recycling
bins all over the country.</span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">2.
Dig a hole away from paths to bury your shit, cover it properly.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">3.
Dispose of any toilet paper in a bin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">4.
Try and learn some of the language and be open to talking to locals. Take an
interest in the area, rather than just be here for the weather/beach/surf.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">5.
Encourage other van dwellers to not leave litter and go to the toilet
responsibly. Perhaps a campaign of flyers on vans and online.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Points
for the ICNF:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">1.
Have better signs on all roads that enter the natural park to alert people that
they are now in the park.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">2.
Have better signs at all the carparks within the natural park that say no
overnight parking for ANY vehicle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">3.
Have ICNF wardens alerting people that they cannot stay overnight, including
the local fishermen!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">4.
Let the GNR issue fines to any parking infringement but do not allow them to
make people move in the middle of the night especially those over the legal
limit for alcohol, those too drowsy to drive and those with small children.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">5.
Provide public toilets for all those visiting the park in the daytime.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Points
for the other authorities in Portugal:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">1.
Provide more reasonably priced and free aires as an alternative to campsites.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">2.
Provide better information for tourists in campervans who visit Portugal
particularly in regards to the law.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">3.
Make it clear what is camping and what is parking and what carparks people in
vans can use.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">4.
Stop spending money on illegal signs and only put up legitimate signs stating
who authorised it and which law it refers to.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">5.
Provide public toilets at all beach carparks and other places of interest where
people are encouraged to spend long periods of the day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks for reading :)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG22_p2xqjN0SRmXYc06AbXgboi6gKp-eOKmz3WKLCvqhUQ8uMwT0eczW8DoYSpL5k0SAawUXwPFo9eSYG9Q70BZ-pFjKFF92ZnbkClkkvZgWPlI6GpZLoT3oxeg8B_w2VsZnM/s750/PICTURE+12+-+Parking+in+the+Natural+Park.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG22_p2xqjN0SRmXYc06AbXgboi6gKp-eOKmz3WKLCvqhUQ8uMwT0eczW8DoYSpL5k0SAawUXwPFo9eSYG9Q70BZ-pFjKFF92ZnbkClkkvZgWPlI6GpZLoT3oxeg8B_w2VsZnM/s320/PICTURE+12+-+Parking+in+the+Natural+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span face=""Verdana", sans-serif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; font-size: 12pt;">Parking in the Natural
Park</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
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table.MsoNormalTable
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<![endif]-->Sam Van Dwellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841660253667463012noreply@blogger.com1