Messejana - Tues

Tues 29th July 2014

Packed up slowly to head north and inland. Sad to leave this site as it was so beautiful. We said 2 days ago the only thing that was missing was a swimming - guess what! There was one! 200m down a track! Shame- maybe next time!! It was only 56 euro for 4 nights inc 2 loads of washing excellent wi fi power and water. Stopped off in Monchique at an Inter Marche and stocked up. Got some fresh fish cleaned and gutted for tonight - Dorada. We drove up higher and through pine & eucalyptus forests which are being farmed environmentally as there was plenty of re planting going on - it was beautiful. 

We spotted a turn off to a Pousada or Parador(in Spain) which are hotels run by the state and are always in the best spots for views. We drove up to it and what a shame it was abandoned. It was on the edge of a beautiful lake/reservoir (Sta Clara) Stopped for a while the came across an old Roman bridge. Drove on along some very bad roads - very bumpy! Found a spot in the shade at the side of the road for lunch. Set off again  and we both said we could have been in Australia as the landscape was just the same. The roads have improved now. 

Arrived in Messejana and found the Aires in the local outdoor swimming pool car park. An old guy came and greeted us and asked us to come into the swimming pool area to talk to his daughter who spoke very good English. We paid the 7 euro fee for the night and that included electricity and use of the pool and toilets. Everything is locked up at 11pm so we feel secure here and will sleep well even though we are the only ones here! After a swim at the pool we had a walk around the town and up to the church and castle ruins that date back to the Romans. The town is from Moorish origin and the buildings are all painted blue & white. All the locals were sitting outside their houses/bars/square seemed very friendly - don't think they get many tourists here! Back to Priscilla for a delicious meal of the Dorada fish cooked on the webber (Hetty style) with runner beans garlic and leeks. Sitting here again under the stars hoping that the bloody town dogs will shut up when it's time for sleep. 

Paperwork! - Mon

Mon 28th July 2014

More washing done so everything smells fresh and clean (even David had a shower!) Skyped our Aussie friends Ossie & Karin (who are German) who are currently in Amsterdam visiting their daughter,  good to catch up with them and their news. Another day flew by on this peaceful campsite but we did manage after some effort! To get my tax return sorted out on the internet. We had to keep saying to ourselves "it's worth it" to get my tax back and at least this year we didn't have to pay $500 in accountancy fees! We could easily stay here longer as we are enjoying the serenity but must move on tomorrow and it's nice to feel like we have everything clean and fresh and have caught up with outstanding tasks. Enjoyed another meal under the stars (steak empty bullock!) was delicious! And the wild herbs from our farmer friend on the mountain made it taste even better. We will leave it until the morning to decide whether it is coast or to stay inland. 

Catch up and rest day - Sun

Sun 27th July 2014

Great sleep - very peaceful here. Had a sleep in and decided to not go anywhere today. I should rest as the back of my knee has been hurting the last couple of days. After stripping the bed and getting that on the washing line (I miss Napisan as the sheets aren't white anymore!) we had a long skype to the family even Ruby the dog joined in. Really great to chat for ages and see that everyone is well and happy. Our daughter Jess is meeting us at the end of August on her way to help at Octoberfest in Munich, so after Skyping we got the world map out to sort out where to meet her. Made a healthy spinach omelette for lunch the caught up on emails etc and purchased some more books for our kindle (love it). Beautiful temperature with cool breeze. Lovely evening with a bottle of wine under the stars. 

Monchique - Sat

Sat 26th July 2014

So peaceful here and a beautiful site they really have thought of everything. Rog (fireman brother in law) will like the first photo of the day - yes we are safe. Had a long Skype with David's Mum & Dad (it's cold & wet at home so best we don't complain about the weather here!) walked about 1km out of the campsite down the track to catch the bus to Monchique for the day. Took a while to actually find where we should catch the bus and had a coffee while waiting. Only 15mins up the road and cost 6.50euro for 2 one way (expensive for here). When we arrived we had a long walk around the town and up to the old convent. We past many oak cork trees - which they peel the bark off when it's about 20cm thick. It then takes 5 years to grow again to that thickness. The cork can be soft or compressed like bamboo (hard enough to use as a chopping board) lots of things to buy here made from cork. The Convent Was very derelict and an old man and his family lived there! He let us look around - it was interesting to see a place in that state rather than being a complete building. Could not believe our eyes when we came out and bumped into our farmer friend from yesterday! He had certainly walked along way - and because of the language barrier we could only smile and say hello and goodbye! Walked down into the town square for a light lunch and a few beers. We then came across a festival of ham and Medronho (fire water- alcohol made for local fruit from the tree) of course we had to try it all and our farmer friend joined us! All the locals knew him. With a few more beers we were full to busting! Had to do something while waiting to catch the last bus back ! Back up the hill to Priscilla and past a farmer with his goats. Another busy day.