Sunday 09.06.19

Alijezur - Lagos

We left our lovely hotel and bakery armed with lots of goodies for coffee and lunch stops. We have decided to go for Lagos today missing some of the gravelly tracks. We enjoyed a beautiful run through the forest of pines descending into small rocky bays most of which had been commandeered by surfers.

The weather is still with us although the wind is very strong and not always behind. We ended our exploration of the woods and bays and took a more main route to Lagos. Efficient but not that pretty. It offered the advantage of a Yelloh campsite which have everything under the sun except ground of sufficient softness to take pegs! We bent a few but got the tent up. Washroom facilities were better than most five star hotels! We took some shelter from the wind by setting up the tent next to a pretty huge camper (British). Very friendly couple who offered the use of their chairs and very welcome they were too.

Enjoyed a buffet dinner, (not a camp meal) which was excellent and despite the noise we were asleep within minutes of crawling into sleeping bags. (Or in some cases - falling!)

We have made the decision that tomorrow will see the end of the ride. The Algarve has little to recommend it from our viewpoint.

Monday. 10.06.19

Lagos - Albufiere

Lagos was sadly like all the towns we have ridden through since turning the corner. Touristy, mucky and busy. During this ride, we have been able to experience a real feel for Portugal which for us has seen the country divided into three. North to Porto then a bit in the middle which included Lisbon if you were a history buff and didn't mind being mowed down by wandering sightseers and then the south, the Algarve which has been a disappointment. Towns built to accommodate visitors who have not really taken care of them. Suffice to say they have not offered us any pleasure in visiting.

The one thing that has been a constant is the driving - for such nice people, they turn into demons in their vehicles. Speed and a lack of courtesy is the norm and can be terrifying on a bike.

Still, I digress a little. Having taken the decision to complete our ride today, we needed to get to the car hire in time to arrange a vehicle of some kind, large enough to take bikes and trailers. We were doing really well until I rode through some glass and my back tyre expired with much hissing. Al to the rescue with all this safety gear and on the side of the road in the hot sun be fixed everything. Wow!

Having organised the car, we made for our bike friendly hotel - not! I did my usual request for a room and despite Alan having consulted booking.com, which stated plenty of available rooms for 122 Euros which was a lot. The smug young lady on reception explained they had one room without a balcony for 144 Euros. Very cross cos I knew she was lying, I informed the great one and he challenged the cost using as proof his phone information. Well, well … Suddenly the price changed and hoorah we also had a balcony. It would suggest that I did not fit the criteria for suitable client!