Is That Dog Really Wearing Spectacles?

PRAIA DE MIRA.

Heavy overnight rain doesn't abate until we're well on the way to the coast. As a result, we program satnav to use the motorways but the toll sections. It's fantastic how the system differentiates between different stretches. We come off at one junction and there is a large white building at the roundabout. Rosie declares that it must be a vineyard. As we get closer it becomes obvious that it is a hospital. I just hope that I don't get ill on the trip, on the other hand convalescing in a vineyard might not be too bad.

The route takes us over the hills. We were in excess of 800 metres at one point, three times the height of Nethergate. The roads are narrow but the traffic is light so it's not a stressful journey.

We plan to stay overnight in Aveiro but the park resembles a gypsy encampment. We have lunch in the van and walk around the town. There are gondola like boats ferrying tourists along the canals but it looks too cold for this for us. The town has some quaint streets and the canal offers some good views.

The locals used to harvest salt and send it to Newfoundland to preserve the cod which was then sent back to Portugal. Salt jars are on sale in all the shops. The local delicacy is called Ovos Molos, egg yolk and sugar. You can feel the thing rotting your teeth as you eat it.

On the way back to the van we see the strangest thing. An old man is leading an old dog on a lead. And, yes, the dog is wearing spectacle held on by a band behind its ears! Enlarge the photo and you can just about work it out.

We decide to move on to the coast. It is a pleasant journey, we could have stopped in a couple of places along the canal which leads to the sea. Further along, there is a major incident at a traffic lights. A van has crashed into a car, two police cars are employed, the traffic is backed up and a local man on a pushbike is stood in the middle of the road taking in all the action. Our resting point is far better though. We're on the Atlantic coast. It's wild and the wind is rocking the van but it is fantastic in a truly dramatic way. We walk around the coastal town and there are a few bars and restaurants open but generally it's quiet.

Walk into to town looking for a bar. Settle on an Irish bar although everyone in it is Portuguese. The table next to us have lots of meat then flan. On the other side they have salad under chips under egg. The fire is thoroughly warming to the extent that we don't need the heating on in the van.