Sines, Portugal

The English couple on the aire with us last night we think were living in another world to us. Staying on the aire they considered it to be wild camping. Yeh, right. With public toilets and showers nearby in the village. Talking of the showers. The doors were half covered louvre doors. In the ladies some of the wooden slats were missing. And there was no lock. That aside, a hot shower is a hot shower, and a free one at that. It was only half seven in the morning, in a tiny village in the Portuguese hills, so the chance of anyone walking in was minimal. After a very quick wash, Angela stepped back outside into the cobbled street. 'Bom dia', an elderly man in the traditional checked shirt, sleeveless cardigan and flat cap greeted her. Was he the culprit who'd adjusted the louvre doors? Back to the English couple. They've owned their van a year, and wondered where the waste water went when they drained their sink. Might want to empty your black water waste tank! After yesterday's long drive we decided it was time for Margery to take it a little easier.

So we took a slow drive over the hills back towards the coast to Sines where we've stayed before. Sines is on the edge of the South West Alentejo and Vincentine National Park. Stopping overnight in a van in the natural park isn't allowed, and the only available park up is by the power station on the edge of the park.

 We arrived at lunchtime, and now the place is full, with lots of vans having to move on. Where to, we don't know. Today is a bank holiday in Portugal, and every man, woman and their van is on the road. We thought Margery had bagged a great spot.

But the German who was parked opposite us in a very large motorhome covered in solar panels didn't seem to like us being across from him. He was a real poser. Moving his camp chair around to follow the sun. Behind his mirrored sunglasses we couldn't tell if he was watching us or not. And then the drum and base music started up. We really are a magnet to these people! To add to our frustrations our gas bottle ran out just as we were about to cook dinner. And to add to our stresses, Angela noticed our registration for Portuguese toll roads had the wrong vehicle registration number on it. That's now sorted after a phone call. What would happen next! As luck would have it a couple of the vans left around eight, and we were able to move.

Now we're on the front line of the parking area with a 20 mph wind due tonight. We're passed caring, tired from our early alarm from last night's cockerel, and our walk on the white sand beach opposite with beautiful flora and fauna amongst the dunes.

A beautiful sunset tonight over the port though helped to calm us. Tomorrow we are heading for an early start in the hope of securing a spot at another place we visited last time we were here. No doubt it will be busy on this bank holiday weekend.