Winter by the sea 2015-16

So it is only now when we are on the point of setting off for Portugal that we finally get round to writing a post for last winter. We are both the world's best procrastinators... 

We are often asked why we go to Portugal for the winter. When reviewing some photos to include in this post on a cold, very wet and grey November day in Saint-Jean-de-Losne, the answer is clear. We go because there are blue skies, the sea, wonderful empty beaches and colour. We can walk, we can eat fantastic fish, we can explore new places and enjoy Portuguese hospitality. We can make new friends and meet up with old friends. 

So here is a mostly pictorial resumé of last winter. 
Look out for our summer 2016 post - sometime in 2017?!

Actually the trip didn't start off that well. On the motorway just north of Alicante we had a tyre blow out. It was a public holiday and there was little commercial traffic, which was fortunate, as we discovered that the hard shoulder is not wide enough for a motorhome. No less than four police motorbikers soon appeared on the scene and our insurers, Macif, quickly organised a recovery truck to come to our assistance. 

The recovery mechanic put on our spare wheel and we continued on to Torrevieja, to meet David and Pamela. They were great and helped us find a tyre depot where a new tyre was ordered and fitted within a few days.

Onwards to Almerimar to meet up with Dave and Jane.

Unbelievably, we then had a puncture. Macif to the rescue again. Spare wheel on again and puncture repaired the following Monday.

 Onwards to Portugal - fortunately without further incident.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio

The welcome at Mikki's Place!

We met Chris and Andy at Mikki's Place

and enjoyed a very different and truly international Christmas and New Year there.

Mikki

Remember 'Raw Sex' on 'French and Saunders'? Spot the likeness!

After the New Year we travelled eastwards and inland to Alcoutim and looked across the Rio Guadiana to Spain.

Up in the hills

Cork Oak

Then south to Vila Real de Santo Antonio and a ferry across to Ayamonte for lunch in Spain

Top Tapas!

Colour!

With Neil and Angela on one of the many empty beaches

Running repairs on Bertie

Thank you Neil.

beautiful sunsets...

Whilst Pete had a fantastic time on a week's sailing course... 

You can tell he wasn't enjoying himself...

the motley crew

- I really enjoyed having time to discover Lagos...

its architecture

sculpture

And some very interesting street art ...

And of course, beaches, walks and sunsets...

One of our favourite places - Alvor

lunch with Les and Jude after a walk along the beach

Tavira is a fascinating, historic town - there's always something new to find, both old and modern

We're useless at taking selfies. A charming German couple took
pity on us when they saw our silly antics.

Ferragudo 

Nick and Val flew to Faro and hired a motorhome so that - 

'Four could go mad in the Algarve'

'Fat Boys Breakfast'

Carvoeiro

Wild camping on a beach near Vila do Bispo

Surfer Shack

A new friend found at Figueria Aire

Ponte da Piedade, Lagos - beautiful but windy

'just a small digestif for me'

For our final few days in Portugal we stayed with John and Allison and Shakti at their apartment on the beautiful Vale da Pinta.

At Salgados we had a fascinating walk by the lagoon where we saw an incredible number of birds including, at last, the purple swamp hen.

Purple Swamp Hen - not our photo, unfortunately

Next day, lunch at the fabulous Rei das Praias- you couldn't find a better location to enjoy eating with friends. 

what a view!

Thank you John and Alli.

Our route home took us to Cordoba. There is an aire situated almost opposite the entrance to the old town, so ideal to spend a couple of days exploring. 

Cordoba

The Mezquita

During our initial trip into Cordoba we passed by the Royal Stables where the beautiful Spanish thoroughbred Andalusian horses and their riders were rehearsing for a performance that evening. We were able to get tickets and the show was an amazing demonstration of horsemanship - well worth the visit.

Fortunately, unlike our journey through Spain, our trip back to Saint-Jean-de-Losne was uneventful. We had a summer of catching up on boat maintenance to look forward to.