Bumbling along the Portuguese coast discovering unique stopovers, amazing food and simply stunning scenes
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: Nigel Cooke
We were leaving our pet sit in the Algarve, after 10 days with the sweetest cat named Mushtie. This cat’s home just happened to be a pretty perfect villa nestled in the Portuguese countryside, so we were understandably a little down in the mouth.
We love the opportunity to house/pet sit while on the road, not least because it gives us a chance to spread out and get some much-needed cuddles from whichever furry animal we are taking care of. However, leaving is always tinged with a touch of sadness, and it usually takes us a few days to get back into the swing of things.
At this point we had been on the road for seven weeks and, with just another three left until we had to make a pit stop back in the UK, we needed a plan if we wanted to make the most of our time exploring Portugal. With this in mind we decided to stick to the coast, despite our reservations about finding suitable parking spots, and missing out on all of the wonderful things we had been told by other ’van enthusiasts about the unspoilt beauty of the Portuguese interior. That would have to wait for a future visit.
As we rolled out of the driveway, stealing one last wave to Mushtie (who was now more interested in chasing a leaf tumbling through the garden), we programmed Lagos into the sat-nav and drove off.
We parked up on the outskirts of town, choosing, as we often do, to walk into the centre. This not only ensures a less stressful parking experience, but also provides us with a better feel for a place, easing ourselves into the hustle and bustle of a busy city. Our walk took us along the harbour, passing opulent vessels bobbing around in the glistening water and boat tour operators trying their best to sell trips to anyone who caught their eye. A local market was also in full swing, and we spent some time perusing the stalls before making our way towards Ponta da Piedade.
Lagos is renowned for its breathtaking coastline and is a haven for beach lovers. As we ambled along the wooden boardwalks, we marvelled at the numerous rock formations, hidden coves, and picturesque sea caves below. You could easily spend two weeks in the area, choosing a different secluded cove each day.
The sun shone, and both tourists and locals alike paddled, relaxed and enjoyed ice cream. It was a pretty perfect afternoon.
From there we turned back into the old town, wa
