ALCOUTIM

Making my way back to the east coast because I bypassed an area that is so lovely with several very Portugese little towns.  Had a great drive through the mountains to Alcoutim where there's a very lovely town situated on the Guadiana river as is the beautiful town of Mertola.   Stayed in the former. The wildflowers are just beautiful.  Many of them I have never seen before.  It's so pretty here now what must it look like when everyone puts out their plants and flower boxes.

Alcoutim

Mertola

SAGRES

Sagres is one of the last towns in the west of the Algarve.  The coast along here becomes very rocky and there's a lighthouse at the San Vincentino point that has the strongest light in Europe.  All along these regions there are many people walking the "Fishermans Path" or Vicentina Way.  There are wonderful walks along steep cliffs, twelve stations along the way where some people stay in hotels and some in tents.  Great views, lots of wild flowers, turquoise water and a chance to surf.

The Lighthouse

The Portuguese Finisterre

surfers only, too cold for swimming

LAGUS

A lovely town with a wide marina, lots of windy streets and many cafes and restaurants.  It is, of course, cobblestoned.  The Portuguese pronounce it Lagosh.  There is a beautiful church dedicated to St. Anthony but it was unfortunately closed for some hours when I rode my bike there.  It's always great to stroll around these little towns with their colourful trim around windows and doors.  Some of the houses are so tiny they have a frontage of only one window and a door.
There's a camping place beside the sport stadium for 3 euros/night.  Met David, the nice man that I camped beside up at the Barragem and also Chris who lives in Dublin.

St Anthony's church in background

FERRAGUDO AND PORTIMAO

My merry meandering next took me to the lovely little village of Ferragudo with such nice beaches and cafes.  It's right across from Portimao where I spent the night in a very good aire for 3 euros.  It had a WC, showers and a good bar and restaurant within walking distance of the Praia da Rocha one of the very nice beach areas of Portimao although there's too many high rises for my liking.  Still there was a very nice stroll along the boardwalk and I was told that the best prices for drinks is at the large Casino there.
Last night was spent in the bar at the camp with very nice company from England - Angela and Jack and Philip and Mina   We enjoyed the vino a bit too much so Jack's head wasn't the best today.  At 1 Euro for a full glass it's easy to do :-)

Ferragudo

Ferragudo from across the water

Plaia da Rocha

Poppies are the happiest of flowers

Portimao

Sand Sculptures

I went for a walk without any money when I came across this exhibition of huge sand sculptures with a theme of music.  Couldn't go in as didn't have the entrance fee but these are a few visible from the fence :-)  The posters claim that it's the largest exhibition of sand sculptors anywhere.

Mikki's Place

It has been a week of cold winds, rain and in between good sunshine but the showers are heavy and winds are too strong to really relax in shorts and sleep well with the wind rustling the canvas roof.  I love Mikki's camp.  She's Belgian and a great potter and artist so the camp is full of whimsical figures and tiles.  Guests are mainly Dutch the same as Arno her husband.  They make fun Pizza nights and good dinners and also have good WiFi.  There's a lovely, natural pool but no one in it this cool April. The very friendly helpers included Leslie and husband Gerald (GB) and Jose and Ed (NL)

good old Brandy

main bar and restaurant

pool area

great pottery

flowers and palms everywhere

SILVES

Meandering along my way I stopped overnight in little villages and a Barrigem (dam) on my way to Silves.  Great lovely wild camping with two kind men to share a beer and dinner.  The water was bright turquoise.
Silves is a lovely town, very clean and little traffic.  There's a castle overlooking everything and the usual white washed or pastel houses with welcoming bars all along the river front.  As usual I came for one night but it's already stretching out.  There's lot's of fish swimming in the river and about 8 nests of Storks above on a dilapidated building with the males flying back and forth to the river gathering food for the young ones.  I love seeing them gliding around with their fast, huge wing span.

the dam (barrigem)

lovely little wild camping area below

grand restaurant La Velha in Silves

Storks have about 8 nests here

figures of Moors Silves