Careless Freedom

'Envy not for once, my noble friend, my careless freedom. Satisfaction can be got wherever there is heart's peace.' Ryokan


We spent an enjoyable afternoon hanging out with Adi, and Mello from Switzerland..

South West Portugal / Algarve Update

"From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached." Kafka


South West Algarve Region
3:40pm, temp, 20°c in shade
Clear Blue Skies..

Doing nothing..

"The coming of day promises a change; it is only when the day has fully arrived that the watcher suspects it is the same day returned once again.." Paul Bowles

Stage 21 | on to Amado, Carrapateira, Algarve

2:45pm, Praia do Amado
19°c, min last night 7°c
Currently overcast, light breeze.


I've not long arrived at Amado, on the south west coast, not far north of Sagres..

Stage 19 & 20 | to Odeceixe and Aljezur

3:35pm, Praia da Amoreira, Aljezur
Temp 20°c, Sunny/Clouds
So many things have been happening in the past few days..


Odeceixe village viewed from our camp at dusk..

Life on a Stick! - Meet Jimmy Svensson | Toyota Hiace D4D camper self conversion

For the past week or so I've been travelling together with Jimmy. We decided to have a sit down and discuss life, travelling and camper vans..

"I think it's important to have time alone; you don't have to be afraid of being lonely"

Stage 18 | coastal track to Praia dos Aivados

7:50am, Praia dos Aivados
Temp, 12°c, high yesterday 20°c, low 10°c
Clear with wall to wall sunshine


A return to some excellent weather yesterday..

Stage 17 | to coast near Porto Covo

1:05pm, Coast near Porto Covo
Temps, now14°c, last night 12°c
Thunderstorms!


On (off) the road again..

We're presently sitting out a powerful thunderstorm at our camp on the cliffs in the shelter of some big rock formations..

Stages 15 & 16 | to Comporta and Praia da Aberta Nova

7:49pm, Praia da Aberta Nova
temp 13°c, high today, 18°c
Mostly sunny
Settling in for the night, the sun having not long set at this beautiful beach.

Stage 13 & 14 | to Peniche and on to Arruda dos Vinhos

5:30pm
Temp 12°c high was 16°c
Overcast and sunny spells
Distance since Santander: 727 miles/1170km


We rolled into Peniche yesterday after spending a sunny morning in Nazaré - it was going to be difficult to leave, but when clouds began to gather, we got ready to move on..

Stage 11 | Return to Mira

Praia de Mira, Portugal
Tues 22nd Nov, 11am
Temp: 14°c, last night 5°c
Sunny


Back in Mira, where I last visited in April 2015..

Stage 10 | to coast near Ovar Air Base

Every so often you come upon the perfect wild camping location...

Stage 9 | to a beach near Lavra

Matosinhos, Lavra, north of Porto
Friday 18th Nov, 7:36pm
14°c, high today 18°c
Overcast, sunny spells..

Stages 7 & 8 Arrival in Portugal | Montalegre and on to Esponende via Braga

Esponende, Costa Verde, Portugal
17th Nov, 3:30pm
High 17°, Low 13°
Sunny, Overcast

Having a rest day today, having finally made it to the Portuguese coast, north of Porto..

Spain, Stages 5 & 6 - Ponferrada to A Ruá to Preda das Portas Dam

Monday 14th Nov, 8:40pm
Near Valeriña de Conso
High today 18°c, Currently 7°c
Bright sunny day
Alt: 3000ft

Stage 4 - Onwards through the Spanish Peaks

Ponferrada, Leon, Espania
8:47pm
Temp 13°c, Max today 14.6°
Overcast Day


Stopping to look over the edge..

Stages 2 & 3 - North Spain - to Cangas de Onis then Entrago

Entrago, Cordillera, Spain
19:26 hrs
Temp 10°, high today, 18°


Rab powering up through the gorge

Stage 1 - Arrival in Spain - Santander to Torrelavega

Torrelavega, Cantabria, Spain
6:18pm local time
Temps: max 19°, currently 13°

Van life log

Friday 4th Nov 2016, 6:50pm
Location: Portishead, Bristol
Temp, high 12°, currently 7°

Currently parked up for the night at the seafront near Battery Point, here in Portishead. I stayed in the same spot back in 2015 on my way back from Portugal. I'm not sure if Rio remembers it, but he's enjoyed a good walk along the shore after today's drive.


Rio sleeping on the way

Postcard from the Picos

I'm still up here in Scotland, spending a last weekend with friends and preparing to head off..

Meanwhile Rab is already trailblazing ahead in the North of Spain..

My route South, Scottish Highland to Cornwall

I have planned out a journey now from the Scottish Highlands down to Plymouth on the Cornish coast where I will catch my ferry to Northern Spain.

Van Life Log

Wednesday 19th Oct 2016, 8:50pm
Location: Poolewe, Highland
Temp, high 14°, low 7°


Loch Maree

Van life log

Sunday 16th Oct 2016
Gairloch, Highland
Weather, dry, clear spells
Temp, max 16°, last night low 5°


Old Road Gairloch

Restless Horizon

I am writing to you now from my mountaintop base camp..