We have now spent three nights at the Aire in Silves. Anyone who was following us last year may recall that I wrote of my dismay at the behaviour of some motorhome owners parked next to the municipal pool. There are about 100 free parking in the town with about 40 near the cemetery and 60 at the pool. The latest gossip is that because some motorhome owners gave generous sums two years ago, when the swimming pool roof was damaged in a freak storm, their continued presence is tolerated. However, Mike and I got chatting to a local councillor yesterday and there's more to it than that. The Mayor won't sanction a parking fee because there are no facilities, but up until now the town hasn't the resource to build and maintain any. Instead they feel compelled to provide a daily rubbish collection service and are fully aware of the extra sewage being chucked down the drain. The campers take fresh water from a fountain next to the children's play area. Three years ago the police were called in and the motorhomes moved on. A sizeable group relocated to a dam inland where they were responsible for considerable damage. This included digging down to a freshwater pipe, chopping trees for firewood and marking out individual pitches on the ground. This is not what long term motorhoming is about and when I hear tales like this I become upset because I'm a motorhomer too and I don't want to be seen in the same light. Unfortunately the relationship between these people and the local town can only be described as parasitic. An aire de service is being built at the swimming pool car park and I hope a fee can be raised to help the beleaguered council recoup some costs. Anyway, I mentioned it last year, so enough said on that score.
Having just written that I'm not saying anymore, there's one last thing - there's something about the clique that I don't like, can't put my finger on it, and I'm not alone. We met another English lady, Carol, a solo motorhomer who parked there. She thought it was creepy and moved on after one night. Incidentally, this intrepid lady was also treated to a special viewing at another village down the road. A man dropped his trousers and revealed his trinkets. So close to Christmas, he felt the need to display his baubles. Poor Carol was unimpressed and not needing to be shown twice, she moved on again. And she was parked next to a church. There's a joke in there somewhere about Christmas Carols but I can't think it through.
Anyway, we're at the Aire in Silves. Last year there were rumours that the scoundrels parked next to the pool would come and help themselves to water and dump their waste here while the caretakers were at lunch. This situation has been resolved because there is now a permanent overseer on site. He lives in a tiny elderly yellow campervan. A single bed on one side and a giant flat screen Mac on the other. His long grey hair is tied neatly in a ponytail and his round wire rimmed spectacles sit on his apple cheeks. I was unsurprised when he said he was a spiritualist, a faith healer. He is witty and friendly, we warmed to him instantly and he has a joke in French, English, Dutch or German for guests as they arrive or he collects our daily dues. Still great value at €6.50 a night including electricity, €4.50 without and a 5 minute hot shower costs 50 cents.
We recognised some of the 'vans from Albufeira. They didn't wish their winter to remain one of discontent and moved to these more pleasant and better managed pastures.
Happy travels folks,
Having just written that I'm not saying anymore, there's one last thing - there's something about the clique that I don't like, can't put my finger on it, and I'm not alone. We met another English lady, Carol, a solo motorhomer who parked there. She thought it was creepy and moved on after one night. Incidentally, this intrepid lady was also treated to a special viewing at another village down the road. A man dropped his trousers and revealed his trinkets. So close to Christmas, he felt the need to display his baubles. Poor Carol was unimpressed and not needing to be shown twice, she moved on again. And she was parked next to a church. There's a joke in there somewhere about Christmas Carols but I can't think it through.
Anyway, we're at the Aire in Silves. Last year there were rumours that the scoundrels parked next to the pool would come and help themselves to water and dump their waste here while the caretakers were at lunch. This situation has been resolved because there is now a permanent overseer on site. He lives in a tiny elderly yellow campervan. A single bed on one side and a giant flat screen Mac on the other. His long grey hair is tied neatly in a ponytail and his round wire rimmed spectacles sit on his apple cheeks. I was unsurprised when he said he was a spiritualist, a faith healer. He is witty and friendly, we warmed to him instantly and he has a joke in French, English, Dutch or German for guests as they arrive or he collects our daily dues. Still great value at €6.50 a night including electricity, €4.50 without and a 5 minute hot shower costs 50 cents.
We recognised some of the 'vans from Albufeira. They didn't wish their winter to remain one of discontent and moved to these more pleasant and better managed pastures.
Happy travels folks,
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