Porto

We trundle up to Porto and settle in at the Parque Biologico de Gaia which is spoiling us a little as it has a dedicated security controlled Aire with electric and perfect for both visiting the park and the city of Porto

Overlooking the deer park and behind two sets of locked gates….comfy

Entry to the park is free and we are under pressure to see all the 'wildlife' showcased here in the time left that first day

Terrapins just relaxing really...

Not keen on birds of prey in enclosures but to be fair these guys had a fairly large one enabling flight, albeit briefly

Nina and the 'One arm Bandit' hit Porto

We walked over the Ponte Luiz bridge not realising there was a lower level too

The South bank of the Douro river is where the Port houses are located (facing north) so that the temperatures within can be kept constant and avoid the intense summer sunshine

An apartment here would do nicely sir...

What appears to be the 'classic' Porto shot

The 45m high Ponte Luiz bridge dominates the scenery and IMHO is a work of engineering art

Long distance view of our intended tour of all thing port-like

I remember being stuck in this exact spot a few years ago in the van amidst much agitation from my human sat nav companion. We gave Porto up that day as a bad job but we are here now and there's no driving involved as we came in on the bus (Fozz is mothballed at the mo due to a certain Muppet only having the use of one arm remember…)

We are booked on the next tour in a while so would we like some white port on the terrace?

You bet baby!

Bizarrely the pets here include a peacock

The tour is very dimly lit but we get the picture, 43,800 litres in this Vat to be precise

Oh to be left alone with my plastic carry home bottles..

(I'll show you some Industrial strength Port Mick!)

The €5.00 pp tour included three glasses of port each, now that's a bargain

View across the Douro

We liked Porto so much more than Lisbon as it seemed more friendly and there were loads of backstreet cafes and quaint bars

Nina also found a haberdashery where she bought a small mountain of cross-stitch threads to further feed her new found hobby addiction (cheers Deb)

A last look at that bridge as we head back to the menagerie on the bus

Porto is a good size to visit and not too spread out needing large trips across the city to see the touristy things. Its a lovely place just to wander freely and enjoy the atmosphere particularly riverside

Peniche, more drama & Cais do Bico

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