Back to Pinar and climb up Picacho

 

Well here we are back at Pinar in the sun with all our pals from last year. The weather is good, so off to the beach and then a little stroll in the mountains.

We obtained some walking routes and maps from the Tourist information centre for the Alcornocales National park situated just outside Alcala de los Gazules on the Guadalupe road.

Our first outing took us into the park and to Picacho, the second highest peak in the park at nearly 3000 feet.

A beautiful sunny day and excellent views made this a memorable walk. The whole area is green and delightful. We will be walking here more as the days go by.

 

 

On our return journey Sarah took this great picture of a Black shouldered Kite.

I missed the opportunity and have not had another chance, YET.

 



Visit with Peter Shirley and Dave

 

On the move again and a long run south to the Algarve and to our next stop with our pals Peter and Shirley near Porshes/Albufiera.

They are now renting a Villa and our van fitted nicely in the drive. They were very welcoming as always and we had a great time. Their pal Peter is a Guitarist and we had a good jam session one evening after a great Barbeque where Peter cooked for an army of people although we were only seven. Their neighbour who is also a guitarist and singer joined in with the fun. Nice to see them all again.

 



Penalva visit with Eric and Sue

 

We now turned inland and crossed over to Penalva to visit our friends Eric and Sue and their project house. They are getting on amazingly but are still in the caravan and working hard every day. We parked in our usual spot by the side of the road, not quite level but it does not matter for a couple of nights, except that the fridge does not work on gas very well when on a slope.

It was lovely to see them again and see how they are progressing.

I don't think it will be long now before they are moving in..

The views fro their house are wonderful and it is so secluded.

 

 

 

The old man with the sheep used to live in this house with his family of ten until the 1960 s with no running water or sewerage or electricity. It was then a one roomed house with an earth floor.  Then people in the UK say they had it hard..!!!! Dream on.

 





Caminha Braga and Barragem Queimadela

Our journey carried on south and through Caminha 

 

 



 

 

And on to Sangenjo and another beach front campsite.

 

 

The entrance to the campsite

 



 

The village



 

 

Leaving he next day,we found a the very secluded Barragem Queimadela, miles from anywhere and eventually a man came out to greet us.  He asked where we came from, we replied Nottingham England. He could hardly believe it, the only other person on the site was a cyclist from, yes Nottingham. 

What a coincidence !

We had a walk around the lake and went through an old hamlet. It has been refurbished as holiday homes, complete with an old water mill.. Very peaceful night spot.

 





Santiago de Compostela

 

Onwards now to Santiago de Compostela, the Pilgrims journeys end.

The centrepiece, the Cathedral was under repair so once again we arrived at the wrong time to find its beautiful face hidden behind a photograph showing how it will look when finished.

We always seem to get to historic sites when they are not at their best. Still the rest of it was worth the visit.



Finnistere

Another day trip took us a little further afield to Cape Finnistere, through a pretty landscape of seascapes and river estuaries. 

 

 

Cabo Fisterra is the most westerly point of mainland Europe and the setting is spectacular. A pity people litter it with their old clothes as mementoes of their visit.

 





A Coruna, Muxia, Laxe and Leis

Sarah decided that she wanted to visit A Coruna to look at supposedly the oldest lighthouse in the world.

So off we go, in the van. Surprise surprise, the tunnel into the town was closed and we were sent on a diversion. Eventually after driving down some tiny back streets, much to the amazement of the locals we arrived at the Lighthouse, Torre de Hercules. The camping Aire was non existent so we parked in the bus park to explore the tower.



We carried on to a lovely campsite at Leis with its beautiful storage barns on stilts.



From here we took day trips on  the scooter to visit
Laxe a lovely harbour town with its fishing boats and beach.

Ponte de Porto on the Rio de Camarinas

And Camarinas itself, another picturesque town and harbour.  This whole area is absolutely beautiful and we will return another year and spend more time exploring and walking.

And finally Cabo Vilan with its three lighthouses, set on another peninsular with spectacular views.