10 QUINTA DOS MOINHOS
Ahhh! Think I’ve lost part 9. It sort of half went, then got stuck – now it registers as a draft but nothing shows. So you can count yourself lucky!
I’ll try and catch up later – just so my record is complete. But for now we’ll go from here…
OK, so we’ve been in this country so long that we’ve caught Portugalitis. It’s a general affliction which makes you sit around all day drinking coffees (or beers) and munching Pastel da Natas while searching the sky (unsuccessfully) for clouds and, often, the ground for shade (usually equally unsuccessfully). It removes any plans or any real desire to make them (sorry Sybil and Freda)! But I guess we have to have a bit of an outline of what we are going to do. So after this cup of tea I might try and work out what we are going to do – that is, what we are going to do today!
Yesterday (Tuesday 19th) we relocated northwards and battled with the electronic toll system again. Glenda found a site which said it had six pitches for caravans. Decided we should ring ahead. All very laid back – “Yes, come when you are ready – you can stay as long as you like”. (Very good for people with no plans!) Our departure from Quinta Chave Grande was delayed a bit by an interesting chat with two Adelaideans – David and Marilyn. But, hey, no-plans-Tapps.
The Quinta dos Moinhos is located just south of the A7 near Portela and Vila Nune. I think it’s the hottest part of Portugal – reaching 35 degrees as we arrived. There’s a fabulous, magnetic, infinity-edged pool which dragged us in yesterday and is doing the same now! We joined about a dozen Dutch folk for dinner on site last night. (Did I mention that we were the only non-Netherlanders here? It’s getting boring!!!)
Our new pitch, pool and evening illuminations
This morning we went for a walk “along the river” as it was described. Only about three kms. But 45% was steeply down to the river and another 45% was back up again (obviously). The remaining 10% was along the rather over-grown, sandy bank of the river. “Not walking any further along here Barry!” And it was already moving towards the mid 30s again – so pool time!
I’ll try and send this before I lose it too!