Sunday
was a quiet day onsite at Camping Alenjeto (Evoramonte) doing domestic stuff –
cooking, catching up on washing. Rain showers this afternoon (shock horror),
and forecast to be showery for next couple of days so no sunbathing.
Chatting
to Seibo (the Dutch owner of the campsite) we learned about the Cork Oak trees
and their management. Definite long term crop – with harvesting only once in
nine years. The dogs seem to think the dropped offcuts of cork make good chew
toys, shredding a good few. Real use….in wine bottles, and apparently loads of
other things…
Monday we
explored some of the minor roads from Evora southwestwards…somewhat unplanned
due to navigation and a weird roundabout we exited the regional town on a back
road…where within half a mile there was a donkey and cart plus farmer. The
roads then took a scenic turn, rural farming life….
Lunch
stop highlight was a Cattle Egret working it’s way down the verge beside the
van, quite close. Turns out they are quite common down here, but not what we’re
used to seeing in England.
We’re
now as far south as we intend to be on this trip, just over 1640 miles from Dorset (not as the
crow flies) or at 38 degrees north in latitude at a Portugese Aire by a reservoir
and a dam – Pego do Altar. Another place of mixed nationalities in motorhomes,
this time the guide book lead us to believe “peace and quiet, good for fishing”.
This translates to about twenty motorhomes, most looking like they are here for
some time (overheard someone advising another newcomer…. the whole winter),
satellite dishes up (for the telly…which we don’t have with us), and discussing
ways to stretch the timeframe before they move (the need for things like fresh
water).
Navigation team back up recovery.....
And yes, that's Maddie on the dashboard of the van....she's only allowed up there when we're stopped, either to sunbathe or just to enjoy the full length windows
Our
intentions are now to turn northwards and meander up through northern Portugal
and then back into Spain. Despite enjoying our first long winter holiday….we’ve
realised how little of this area we’ll actually see. Oh well, great excuse for
more snowbirding in the coming years.
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