Carvoeiro & Lagos - 06 & 07 October 2024

06.10 - Lidl carpark in Parchal for a cycle to Carvoeiro

Not sure who enforces ‘rules’ on campsites. Supposed to be silent between maybe 10pm - 8am - that’s a joke - people were still enjoying themselves until morning - which is fine - I just don’t need to hear them!

Put in another load of washing this morning, and hung it out to dry a bit whilst we were talking with Jamie and Jack. Pouring with rain there this morning. Our kick out time at the campsite was midday, so we went and queued with a few other mohos to service Dave. 

Tintin driving today - about 40 minutes. I think maybe the plan was to cycle into Portimão, but I’d read about the caves along the boardwalk in Carvoeiro - so went there instead!

As we’re parked at a Lidl - and it was Sunday afternoon - and it was actually open - went and bought a few things. Right in the carpark on top of a high chimney like stack is a stork’s nest - lovely to see one - first one this trip 😊 Also great to hear them clacking their beaks during the night!

After lunch, bikes out and off we went. Was over 5 miles to get there - very up and downhill on bumpy roads, plus quite a few speed humps!

We arrived at Carvoeiro - looked like a nice place. First up another steep hill to the boardwalks for the caves. Only about 600m of boardwalk, but you can go down to the caves in various places. 

The photos can show what it was like! In one spot, there were people jumping in - all debating the height - they thought about 11/12m - brave or mad?

There’s definitely no health and safety - quite refreshing in a way!

We walked past the Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort - a 5 star place on the cliffs - Tintin was hoping someone might offer him a drink - as we were hot and sweaty by that point!

Lots and lots of RIBs and various boats taking people to see the caves from the sea. 

Rode back down towards the beach. I went for a swim. Wasn’t as cold as yesterday. Happily swimming out - looked ahead - thought there was seaweed - no - hundreds of huge fish with big gaping mouths! Well that’s what it felt like - turned around quick smart. Don’t like sharing the sea with the sea creatures who live there!

We stopped off at Levels bar and restaurant - had a jug of rosé sangria, and for snacks had some patatas bravas, and some nachos with guacamole and tomato dip. All lovely - €30.50. 

Was a good unexpected day out. Marred a little - on the way home, I got stung by something! Not sure what - but it left its stinger in my forehead - think it got caught up under my helmet. Tintin removed the stinger, and luckily I had some Lavender to put on straight away - but bloney heck - it’s really not pleasant!

We’re hopeful the police don’t come around. Back to this little chestnut - people leaving reviews on park4night and saying that in the whole of this area that mohos aren’t really welcome - and have been issued with a €400 fine. Not sure how that works when presumably Lidl carpark (especially laid out for 3 mohos) is on private land…

Has been about 27° today, but mainly overcast. It’s gone 7pm and now a nice temperature in Dave. About 12-1/2 miles cycling and allegedly over 9,000 steps…

07.10 - Lagos

We slept fairly well in Lidl carpark last night! The overhead lights went out about 10pm (store closed at 9.30pm) - so bonus for us. We did hear delivery trucks early morning - but no problem!

As was forecast (shock horror!) - it was raining this morning. Went to Lidl again for fresh bread, custard tarts (!) and so Tintin could have a look at the middle aisles at leaf blowers, chainsaws mixed in with ladies underwear and children’s painting sets and toys etc. So bizarre!

Was lucky enough to see a stork doing a fly around the nest before we left. 

I was driving today - about 40 minutes. Big queue in Portimão - found out just due to a train crossing through the busy town. 

We’re parked up on the outskirts of Lagos. Had a cuppa and a delicious custard tart - whilst waiting for it to be lunchtime - and waiting for it to stop raining!

Think we were both feeling a little apathetic today - but regardless - bikes out and off we went.  

Went to the old town first. Lots of stalls selling their wares going towards the marina. (no photo!) Have thought about buying a cork bag on a previous trip - but talked myself out of it again today. Would I use it? Were they rubbish quality? Zips didn’t look too good etc…

The old town had a nice vibe - still touristy - but not as over the top as other places. We even bought a few things - lured in by a good saleswoman!

Rode out to Ponta da Piedada, locked up our bikes and went wandering - did 9,500 steps today and about 7 miles cycling. 

We clambered down over 200 steps at one place - Tintin counted.

What can I say - apart from isn’t nature wonderful…

We could see the infamous Praia da Luz from the cliffs. 

There has been lots of money spent on the infrastructure around there with so many boardwalks and look out points - and it’s all free to see!

Cycled home using Google for roads rather than bikes - get fed up with what seems like a circuitous route left to Google trying to be clever. 

The trees around the carpark sound alive with tweeting - must be hundreds of sparrows. 

Despite the rain this morning, I guess it was still about 25° today - though quite windy. A pleasant afternoon 😊