The campsites here in Portugal are pretty busy for the season. Apart from the occasional fellow hiker or cyclist, there are no tents, and caravans are hardly to be found either. The campsites are filled almost to the last place with campers. Some larger than others, they're often houses on wheels. Many residents have been camping here since October, November or December and are living the good life. Almost every morning, while breaking up the tent, people, especially those walking their dogs, curiously strike up a conversation. They talk extensively about where they have been, about their dogs celebrating birthdays, and beautiful places along the coast they would like to visit, but well, they have a big camper, so they don't really leave the campsite... But they also like to know what we are doing and where our trip is going. They are always fun conversations, the real camping life. We love to take that extra time, when preparing to leave for the hike. Eventually we leave the campsite and walk north through the village out of the built-up area, along a larger road. Not much later, we turn right and head east again between the familiar water basins.
Eventually we leave the campsite and walk north through the village out of the built-up area, along a larger road. Not much later, we turn right and head east again between the familiar water basins. Apart from the many birds, we also pass one of the friendliest animals in this area: the Portuguese Water Dog. A breed of dogs that are bred in the Algarve to chase fish into nets and bring back lost catch. They are quiet, loyal dogs.
We follow the trail until we can't go any further, because the path is so overgrown. We won't have to walk all the way back, but can go inland a bit from here. It's only a stretch of a few hundred meters we can't pass, but we have to detour for at least two kilometers to get back on the trail. Luckily the roads are small and it's nice to walk inland. We pass beautiful farmland and nice houses. Many houses are tiled with what we would call "1970' s bathroom tiles". Each house in a different style, it's a colourful sight.
We follow a European cycle route for a while. The Euro Velo 1: Rota da Costa Atlântica. A route of almost 9,000 kilometers towards Scotland. A beautiful route as well, and for us very convenient to stay on the small traffic-free roads. The signs take us along a nice route to the next campsite in Tavira. A pretty town with nice little squares and old houses. We would've liked to spend a day looking around, but the campsite won't let us in. They are only open to motorhomes in winter, because otherwise they'll park all over town and they don't like that. We've hiked 20 kilometers today and it is half past three. Five kilometers further is another campsite that's situated nicely along the route, so we have plenty of time to get there. About an hour later, via a beautiful area, we arrive at the campsite in Conceição. A camper van drives up to us. "It won't be full, right...?" But too bad, it really is completely full. Not a single spot left for a small tent... We weigh up some options and decide to take the train to the next campsite; this one does have space for us. It's dark when we get there, but our tent is pitched just on time before tonight's expected rain. So we are happy when we finally sit in our little tent, better late than never!
