Sorry No Blogs

Just to let any followers know that I am having trouble loading blogs with photos attached even after shrinking the size of them. Maybe they wont get done till I get home. I have done 30 blogs that are waiting to be loaded so its very frustrating.  Cheers Ron

So Portugal beaches best S of Porto

Big improvement in the beaches south of Porto and even more south of Aveiro. Some shots of an improving swell, guys working the "we'll look after your car " racket in a libre area and much nicer housing and beaches. We had a nice smaller wave than those shown at Barre beach---bit like Waikiki really. Nice and easy takeoffs--hey I'm in my 70th year and don't mind admitting I'm getting soft

Sth of Espinho

free camped at Esmoriz hoping for waves in the morning. Right on the beach one way but not sealed so wore some dust. Losing my touch with great spots at the top of Portugal and the beaches aren't good so far

Free Camp Rules

Good opportunity to talk about free camping and safety. At the very top of Portugal we thought we found the perfect spot to stay with others in a forest dune area near Marinhas. It was Sunday and it turned out all the locals packed up and went home and we were in a pretty isolated spot on our own. First day in a new country it felt like it could be dodgy. So we packed up and went into town of Esposende looking for some company of other motorhomes but couldn't find anything suitable so we drove out and found a great spot near some houses but quiet and on a nice little river. But it was dark and we were shagged so lesson one is if you see something you like take it anytime after "the witching hour" sets in. First time on this trip we have mucked up getting a good place and that only happened because everyone left the first place.
The other thing I'd say about safety is always park where you can't be boxed in and leave your keys in the ignition for a quick getaway if needed. In a lifetime of free camping I've only felt threatened once and that was outside Munich in a layby on a motorway when a couple of young guys had us almost boxed in and were checking out our van and what might be inside so I started her up and managed to get out of there. Ended up in the city centre and met a nice couple who invited us to stay with them so that all worked out well.
The first photos are the spot in the dune forest and the others where we did end up staying

A Guarda & Santa Tegra

This place should get the same press as Machu Picchu. A population of 3-5 thousand used to live here in round stone housing interlocking in groups of 8 for defensive reasons and we are talking the Iron age BC. Only partly excavated this century and its position on a mountain right on the Spanish Portugal border gives great views all round. We, who have seen Machu Picchu reckon its is the equal and much much older and well preserved.

OIA Monastery

fluked a visit to the monastery which is rarely open to the public as its undergoing renovations