Sunday 12 February 2017

Quarteira & back to Spain

Having said our farewells to Keith & Chris we head down to Quarteira and meet up with Nina's Mum & Dad who have flown out for a three week chillout vacation in a sea front hotel


We get to spend a week with them being fortunate to be in the area when they booked this last minute  break from Blighty


Artwork en route walking to nearby Vilamoura


There's a mix of weather for them during this first week but we guess they are not too bothered as they have been in the wars recently health wise and just need to relax really


The aire on which we are parked for the duration doubles up as a market on wednesdays so we relocate temporarily next door to receive our market visitors....


The market proves to be a disappointment really as its a fraction of what it used to be apparently but this eager Brit seller takes the wonga off Nina for some 'hair removal wonder gadget'


Nina spots this fella poking his head out of his 'dog cave'


We take a day out too by visiting nearby Faro on Max and losing ourselves at lunch time in the Forum Shopping centre, deep joy!


We have a little drama whilst at Quarteira in that this awkwardly located central heating valve on the boiler decides to fail and we spend a few days spewing water out the boiler on to the floor underneath the van when the pump is run
Thank goodness for Camperserve located just 7km from us where a replacement is sourced for €17.00 and fitted by ourselves on our return


Farewells are said to Parents a few days later and we head in to Spain en route for the east coast and an RV with Mick & Deb in a few days time
We manage to hit bad weather on leaving the Hidalgo MH dealership before landing at Pedro's site in Almerimar for a couple of nights


The main reason for coming here is so Nina can have her hair cut properly as she is managing to go many months in between cuts and she's not a happy bunny if her hair is a mess...


A few walks are taken in to the harbour area of Almerimar past 'no go zones' for MHs 
How did they arrive at that particular penalty value?
A memorable 3 figure blast on Max down the Autovia and several tapas/vinho excursions later we head yet further onwards to our last stop before the RV, namely Huercal Overa in the Murcia region



A really nice town this with some swish residences


The town square is duly found and we are soon enjoying the usual fayre at realistic Spanish prices...
Two large tapas followed this opener with a total bill of €6.00
How refreshing!



So when do they decide these palms are too tall?







Sunday 5 February 2017

Muddy Messines

We trundle back up to Odeceixe for another night and spend the late afternoon walking the lovely beach which we have to ourselves



The nearby clifftop is the scene of a photoshoot for these newlyweds complete with a romantic bouquet



After picking up the panel and visiting Leroy Merlin (Portugal's B & Q) we head off for the site at Messines and settle in for a few days construction work
We even take the door blind off again and totally dismantle it to renew the cords (Not a job if you don't like head scratching!)


Twice the size now and hopefully twice the output


A day before Keith & Chris arrive the heavens open and our 'sunny spot' is slowly swamped with surface water running off the slope behind us
The site turned in to a puddle dodging exercise which, with further rain later, kinda spoiled things a little. Perhaps our visits here are better done in the spring in future


The Elliots arrive bringing sunshine and we head off on the sunday to the local restaurant


'Eddie' the local ex Pat exchanges pleasant chat for a brandy (my price not his) en route at the nearby cafe


Ford Taunus (Cortina)


Success then!


Our next few days are spent at the site exploring the local area on foot and by bike in to Messines


The intrepid explorers turn a blind eye to the grey horizon and press on in search of an elusive cafe




The cafe is reached just as the rain pours down. This is the change from €10.00 for eight coffees and a piece of cake...not bad eh?


Glamour has its downside I suppose....


Another day another daft game
This time its Keith & Chris who are introduced to our charity acquired 'Millionaire game'
Can you believe first time out he reaches the dizzy heights of half a million!
He failed it BTW on a dodgy 'doggy' question. He's defo on my 'Phone a friend' list though