Spain, Portugal

Another week down.  We have done huge miles (2,000kms tho includes ring road SatNav FU’s) through Barcelona, Saragossa, Salamanca, Badajoz, Lisboa. 

Today we’d planned on catching the train from Sao Bento, and travelling along the Duro River in Porto.  A Greve Genral put paid to that.  As needs must, plus we’re stuck in a little village (Vila Cha) in Portugal … we’re whiling the hours away with beautiful beach views, vino and food.  Maybe tomorrow!

The Vila do Conda is very much a Portuguese version of Waitarere Beach.  A little rockier but no less prettier.

One bogie we’ve failed to mention in much detail is TOLL roads.   We were pinged €16 in France for approximately 160kms, €20 in Spain – appro. 100kms (€11.65 was just past Salamanca for 12kms of highway.  Not cool).  To get to Portugal quicker we chose a 200km stint between Caceras (Spain) and Lisboa, cost €27 which was not inexpensive but saved us three hours and 150km of mountain climbing.  A deal.  The young Kiwis we’d met in Pompeii had mentioned their €100 bill on French Peage highways.  

Given we’ve got another 2,500kms through all three countries, we hope SatNav lady will exercise caution to get us back to Old Blighty in robust financial shape.

On a sadder note.  A dear friend and ex-colleague of Lloydy passed away Thursday last.  It's a timely reminder that friends and family however close the cyber distances … if you’re stuck in a van on the Continent it’s a long, long way when your loved ones are in trouble.  Be safe out there - friends and whanau …