Our route up the West Coast sees us visiting a small new site at Odrinhas which turns out to be a little gem with electric and good services. In the little village there's a disproportionate amount of cafes and a very good restaurant, Rui Dos Pregos which we frequent both nights as the atmos is superb, friendly with the added bonus of full fat WiFi
Its from here that we Fozz it to nearby Mafra
and take a peek at Mafra National Palace
We take in Ericeira and soon see why its very popular with surfers the world over
Put them down Nina!
Just too big for her bag or else I'm sure she would have wanted to give the lab a new home
Peniche up next and we stay for two nights encamped with many others just outside the walls of this seaside town
Sea defences, and lots of them
These elusive characters were having a ball at the harbour walls
Just down the harbour walk from the locals trying to snare them
Success at last, but no….The fish got away after snapping the line so now cruises the depths with a hook stuck in its fat lip
From Peniche we head for a really nice secret (not any more) spot at Praia do Osso da Baleia and I mooch about first evening taking a few shots in the dunes behind the beautiful almost deserted beach
All is well in Camper World, how could it not be when falling asleep each night listening to the nearby crashing waves?
Next day we are off for what becomes an eventful day...
The 24km ride to civilisation at Pedrogao is very pleasant as we stop half way for sticky sustenance and coffees
What a sight….
Nina's sneaky shot of me after the drama…
14km from home and, after light rain on the seemingly 'safe' deserted cycle track, I come crashing to the ground after the front wheel just disappears under me when turning to cross the road
'Luckily' I break my hefty fall with my right elbow, which is nice…..
After ten minutes I am frightened as there appears to be someone screaming in my ear in agony, Oh that must be me then…
Laid flat out with the world in disarray I just couldn't get up with the grief
Anyhow Nina manhandled me and the bike and eventually I rode back one handed, unable to change gear and feeling sick, back to the van to nurse my wound
'Nursing' consisted of Nina in her new role as carer, dresser and personal assistant, big pain relief pills & about four large Maciera brandies.
What a prat I am!
Next day I drive one handed (good job its an auto gearbox) to the nearby hospital where the kind doctor pulls and pokes my arm (many thanks Chum) after showing me X-rays and declaring I had a fractured elbow. I had somehow guessed my diagnosis by the apparent symptoms prevailing at the time and the minor problem of not being able to use my now twisted arm
Happy pills and yet more TLC coupled with a course of rehab ultimately are duly prescribed and we go away wondering what the hell is going on in 'Accident Prone' world
Off we trundle from the hospital (roundabouts are now quite interesting to negotiate with just the one hand) up to the lovely lagoon side location of Cais do Bico just south of Porto
Us for two days' R & R
I become a whizz at left handed photography (the shooting, not the quality)
Lunch is served in the local cafe and I spend my time walking around in a painkiller induced La La trance. Its on the mend thankfully but rue the fact I'm right handed….
All but the simplest tasks are left to my trusted carer…..Nina
