If you have read the past couple of posts you will know that we took a little while to get the van organised and ready to go away. As usual, we both dreamt of our escape back into the full-timing bubble, except I wasn't in the zone - not really. After some serious sleepless nights I realised that I wanted to get some stuff done, some 'me' time that I knew deep down, I just wouldn't achieve if I had my husband with me. If I felt bad admitting it to myself, actually telling Mike how I felt was pretty grim. After all, who had been the instigator behind the new upsized vehicle? Mike being Mike has taken it in his stride - he's a firm believer that in order to get the most out of life you have to be doing what you actually want to be doing rather than just going along with someone elses plans. So idiot that I am, is here in the UK, experiencing the deterioration in daylight hours and the weather, while Mike is sunning himself on the Algarve and texting me wanting to know the best suncream to buy. The houses are rented out to lovely tenants so I had nowhere to live. All this background, by the way, is useful for anyone considering full-timing. These issues can come up and perhaps how we're dealing with it could help give others some ideas. Anyway, as luck would have it my friends' brother needed a house share so I'm renting a room at his place in Norwich. I'm still working full time and with my spare time I'm getting on with freelance articles and as I'm not into the telly I'm using the long winter evenings to get on with finishing my book. Two years it's been and I'm sure I must seem like an awful procrastinator but I am determined to get it finished when I don't have any interruptions, including Mike and Strictly.
So, whats new on the Algarve? As the title says nothing stays the same and this can be a pleasure or a curse depending on your point of view, the issue involved and whether your cup is half empty or half full. Having endured his worst ever crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, where he was convinced that the crew had 'we're going to sink' written all over their faces, Mike arrived refreshed enough to get to Albufeira with only one overnight stop in Spain. He hooked up with friends down there - fellow motorhomers who we have met over the course of our travels.
As any motorhomer is aware, it's the freedom to roam in a moho that has the greatest appeal for most people. This includes Wildcamping, i.e. stopping in a quiet location that has no official designation as a camping place.
So, whats new on the Algarve? As the title says nothing stays the same and this can be a pleasure or a curse depending on your point of view, the issue involved and whether your cup is half empty or half full. Having endured his worst ever crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, where he was convinced that the crew had 'we're going to sink' written all over their faces, Mike arrived refreshed enough to get to Albufeira with only one overnight stop in Spain. He hooked up with friends down there - fellow motorhomers who we have met over the course of our travels.
As any motorhomer is aware, it's the freedom to roam in a moho that has the greatest appeal for most people. This includes Wildcamping, i.e. stopping in a quiet location that has no official designation as a camping place.
Some secluded solitary spots above
,Wildcamping is a priviledge, not a right, and we should all, as motorhome owners, consider ourselves as being fortunate to be able to roam throughout Europe with ease. If you park your motorhome in a public space, such as a car park, in some countries you are permitted to sleep in it overnight but not camp. Any evidence of camping, such as towels out to dry, camping chairs, levelling blocks or even a step to climb up into the habitation area are all examples of evidence of camping. In the past this has been tolerated in Portugal because as a nation they are polite, friendly and welcome visitors. Mike has learned that this year, on the Algarve the police are issuing heavy, on the spot fines. Our friends have had two this autumn already, totalling 250 Euro. If an Aire in Portugal comes in at 6 euro a night this works out as the equivalent of 41 nights on an Aire.
The popularity of motorhoming (new van sales up by 25% this year in the UK alone), has meant that the numbers heading south for the winter have increased dramatically since our first visit 5 years ago. These snowbirds place an enormous strain on local resources. Imagine - 20 litres of sewage per unit every couple of days, refuse, grey water and the requirement for fresh drinking water. Where does all the waste and effluent go? Sewers for the black waste, we hope, although unscrupulous types will surreptitiously dig it, chuck it in the sea or a river. Portugal is one of the poorest countries in Europe and doesn't have the resources to pay for the clear up or to provide extra services such as refuse collection. As a result local councils have granted licences for stellplatzes and aires. They're not cashing in on the opportunity, simply trying to provide facilities for this invasion.
I am writing this as a note of precaution. You need to expect to pay to stay. The sums involved aren't huge and you'll be contributing to the local economy. There are still large tracts of land in Spain where free camping is tolerated and Mike has heard anecdotes that Morocco has fallen out of favour with the French so there's more space down there.
So, I write this as a precautionary note, nothing stays the same, and as for me, I need to get on and write or you'll have me down as a procrastinator extraordinaire.
Have a great week everyone,
Ali
The popularity of motorhoming (new van sales up by 25% this year in the UK alone), has meant that the numbers heading south for the winter have increased dramatically since our first visit 5 years ago. These snowbirds place an enormous strain on local resources. Imagine - 20 litres of sewage per unit every couple of days, refuse, grey water and the requirement for fresh drinking water. Where does all the waste and effluent go? Sewers for the black waste, we hope, although unscrupulous types will surreptitiously dig it, chuck it in the sea or a river. Portugal is one of the poorest countries in Europe and doesn't have the resources to pay for the clear up or to provide extra services such as refuse collection. As a result local councils have granted licences for stellplatzes and aires. They're not cashing in on the opportunity, simply trying to provide facilities for this invasion.
I am writing this as a note of precaution. You need to expect to pay to stay. The sums involved aren't huge and you'll be contributing to the local economy. There are still large tracts of land in Spain where free camping is tolerated and Mike has heard anecdotes that Morocco has fallen out of favour with the French so there's more space down there.
So, I write this as a precautionary note, nothing stays the same, and as for me, I need to get on and write or you'll have me down as a procrastinator extraordinaire.
Have a great week everyone,
Ali
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