Nazare to Lisbon

Mon : 28^th April.  Up very early we walked the couple of hundred metres to the seafront and watched Nazare slowly waking up.  The café on the corner was open and the aromas coming from there were delightful…we bought some hot, fresh rolls and though sorely tempted, did not buy any of their delicious looking pastries or cakes.

Today was another travel day…we detoured through Sintra on our way to the campsite at Cascais, but the town was so crowded, with nowhere for Boris to stop so we had to be content with a drive through.  It must be total chaos in the peak season!

Once booked and settled in at the campsite, we walked down to the beach along the boardwalk, about 800 metres

and then back to Boris, settling in for a quiet night.

Tues :  29^th April.  In 1969 we were prevented, for reasons beyond our control, from visiting Lisbon so we are delighted to say we finally made it!  On advice from the lovely lady in the reception office at the campsite, we went by taxi (7 euros) into Cascais to the railway station and caught the train (4.90 euros each return) to Lisbon, a 35 minute journey, mostly along the coast so glorious views, and densely populated all the way.  Once in Lisbon, we strolled around at a leisurely seniors’ pace for the next 5 or 6 hours, enjoying the sunshine, the atmosphere, the tram rides and the people…it’s busy but not crowded at this time of the year…and taking many photos

until our old legs began to tire and said it was time to go home. We sat on the left side of the train going back to Cascais, so even better views than this morning, several taxis waiting at the station so no problem there and on our return to camp, Jeanette and Frank from Sydney were parked next door, so drinks and an exchange of stories

were in order.  Another fabulous day.

For fellow travellers who may be planning to visit Lisbon, the ‘campismo’ at Cascais/Guincho, no.2457 in the 2014 ACSI book is, in our opinion, a convenient place to stay.  There is a bus that goes past the camp into Cascais,  it costs 3,50 Euros per person each way, so the same as a taxi but not as convenient. The very obliging receptionist will ring for a taxi when asked. 

Wed :  30^th April.  Another travel day, firstly along the same coast road we followed yesterday in the train but with even better views, then across the Ponte 25 de Abril

to Almada and then on the motorway to Setubal where we caught the green ferry (25 euros)

 across the River Sado to Troja, then on to Vila Nova de Milfontes where we are staying tonight.  This is a huge park with hundreds of caravans parked here, most unoccupied at present and motorhome sites at the end of a long drive,  with ocean views so we’re very happy.