DAY 242

Friday 9 March 2012

Dian painted postcards

Another of Charles' articles was published in the Santa Monica Daily Press! Yay! Pine trees at Camping Milfontes mingled with the smell of the sea. The camp, established in 1977, had a good, funky vibe and it was a good place to be able to use the Internet and electricity in the comfort of our van. This allowed Nicole to write her application and accompanying essay for a Hosteling International grant for young travelers.

Lunch

 Dian walked into town, bought what she thought was sausage (turned out it was mixed with grains and oats which was quite delicious), tomatoes, and strawberries from a very determined farming woman, though nothing would ever compare to the pushy vendors in Morocco (Marrakech specifically). Upon giving her a free strawberry, the woman exclaimed, "Opa!" Walking out to nearby dunes, Dian saw an old fortress peppered with red Icelandic poppies.

We had lunch outside by the closed camp restaurant, and although we invited the woman at reception to join us, for she was sitting nearby, she declined (but that was before she saw what we were having). Dian cut her knuckles on the crust of the bread- now THAT'S crusty.

Nicole finished her Hosteling International application and sent it off at 6 o'clock, then promptly thereafter we checked out.

A short distance up the coast, we found a stunning free-camping at Porto Covo and found a spot just in time to see the sunset. Nicole made pesto pasta and Charles read "The Innocents Abroad" which had a very applicable and relatable chapter about keeping a travel journal that made us laugh.

Haze and reflection of a street lamp by a camper (or Close Encounters!)