Page 88 - Demo

Friday 22nd September - Estombar - Portimeo - Sagres - Cabo de S%u00e3o Vicente - Fortaleza de Beliche - Sagres Fortress - Slide & Splash water park - Estombar - Prahia la Rocha - EstombarHot and sunny. Drove to Portimeo for a quick walk along the waterfront, then drove to Sagres, the most westerly part of Europe (or so we were led to believe, only later to find the same claim further north). Crossed the barren headland to get to some spectacular cliffs and stunning scenery. Stopped first at the Cabo de S%u00e3o Vicente lighthouse at the very tip and walked along the cliff face. Vertigo Central! Stopped for some souvenirs from the small collection of stalls. Most sold winter woollen jackets as it is a notoriously windy and cold spot. Not today though. Completely still, excellent visibility and hot. Drove back along the cliffs to Fortaleza de Beliche, a derelict church above a tiny inaccessible beach for a quick look and photo. Continued to the huge fort which fortunately for us had free entry today. Watched the fishermen casting their large rods from the fort walls, hundreds of feet down to the sea. Watched as one landed a catch. Would have taken him ten minutes to reel it in, so high up they were! Drove back to Estombar under a huge black cloud for a short time. The sun was thankfully shining brightly at our next stop, the big Slide & Splash water park. Spent an energetic three hours being big kids and letting Teia splash about in the kiddies pools. Some excellent stomachchurning fast slides for us big kids though! Stopped back at our manor house for a shower and change before driving through the city of Portimeo, for a sunset look at the Prahia la Rocha, the big spectacular beach. Walked up to the lookout for some lovely views up and down the coast, and the unusual rocky formations. The beach was very wide here and up and down there were rows upon rows of deckchairs and sun umbrellas. Watched as an old mediaeval caravelle ship with sails made its way into the harbour. Drove on John%u00b4s recommendation to a nice restaurant called Bernard%u2019s in the little fishing village across from Portimeo. Run by a lovely Irish family, the food and service was excellent. The lady that served us reminded us that %u00b4Teia%u00b4 in Portuguese means %u00b4Auntie%u00b4!