weeks. We left Salir do Porto two days ago and have started our journey
north. We welcomed the New Year in last night with some Portuguese
Champagne under our sun awning, listening to the sound of the sea crashing
on the beach and the towns firework display. Sadly we couldn't get out to
actually see either of these as the campsite locked the gates at 11 and
despite my best pleading and smiles refused to bend the rules for new year!
We had a great time though and the champagne disappeared far too quickly!
Definitely wasn't fit to drive today so we had a nice walk into town (viana
do castello) this morning and spent the afternoon on the beach. Tomorrow we
move further north into Spain.
We spent Christmas week with the family in Sao Martinho de Porto, a lovely
sea side town near Obidos in central Portugal (picture). The British
weather was not without its effects even on our Portuguese Christmas, and
it was touch and go if everyone would make it out of the UK. A few
cancelled flights and some very cold early morning starts later we finally
got everyone together Christmas Eve and spent a lovely few days catching
up, playing on the beach, visiting the local sites and relaxing in the
cafes.
Christmas here is definitely a much more relaxed affair, with more emphasis
on the religious as opposed to the commercial, and their are nativity
scenes everywhere. We missed midnight mass as it was in another village but
managed to get to Church on Sunday, which aside from a never ending sermon
in Portuguese was really nice! On boxing day we went to a friend of my
mother in laws, who has a holiday cottage nearby and were also joined by
their Portuguese neighbours. This was a fun evening, and between the great
food and wine we learnt about Christmas traditions here and were treated to
some live fado. The last night we celebrated in a local fish restaurant
overlooking the beach followed by a stroll along the beach, all in all
great christmas.
Thanks everyone for coming!
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