Day 8 - Lagos to Oura
Before I go on I forgot to say thanks to brianmaslen for his helpful pointers on Sintra and Coimbra
OK. Not far to go today so we're dancing to a very leisurely tune. A good deal more leisurely it could have been, since I've been back in Portugal I've forgotten that they're on UK time so I've been an hour ahead of myself. Dim wit.
A very nice breakfast, good fresh bread. Miguel is back to his cool self. I liked Lagos; less touristy than many other parts of the Algarve that I've been to. Miguel had mentioned that (impartially) he thought it the most unspoiled of the seaside towns and resorts and it was the most economic, which from dinner last night and certainly his bar prices were witness to
So the plan today is to head up in to the hills on a run recommended by Humbug. In no time at all we're clear of Lagos and working our way up to the aforementioned hills. I'm on one of the 'M' class roads, the undulations of the road are superb. A real grin. Suspension by Zebedee. Very good GS riding
We shall not be moo-ved. Didn't want to shift, this lot. I had to be careful too as there were calves about. Once I did get through the farmer following along in his truck and I had a non-language specific giggle.
Coffee is taken in Monchique. 27 degrees it registers in the square, so feet up in the sun. A Spanish registered GS circles and stops, cue a meet with Juan Carlos from Granada who is here for a four day break with Mrs JC. We chat bikes for a while, good chap. He's on an '08 GS which went bang after he stuck the wrong fuel in it and BMW didn't sort it properly. Then followed a bigger bang and an even bigger squabble. Ah, the virtues of arguing the toss with BMW and their warranty. But now fixed he tells me it is better than ever and he's one happy esGSer.
As recommended by a Goldwing trike owner who drops by the cafe there's a short run up to Foiva, the highest point in the Algarve, which I'm recommended is worth doing
A good pointer, too- great views back down to Portimao on the coast and out to the ocean beyond.
I'd read somewhere that Eucalyptus in Portugal had been subject to some sort of rot, there were more than a fair share of gnarly examples up in the hills..
On we go, and fifteen or so very entertaining miles were done on the N267, very good rapid going in fact. There look to be plenty of fun roads worth exploring here so it'll be rude not to pop back.
And finally linking back to the main road back to the coast..
Hotel sorted.. and I'm here for a week or so..
Before I go on I forgot to say thanks to brianmaslen for his helpful pointers on Sintra and Coimbra
OK. Not far to go today so we're dancing to a very leisurely tune. A good deal more leisurely it could have been, since I've been back in Portugal I've forgotten that they're on UK time so I've been an hour ahead of myself. Dim wit.
A very nice breakfast, good fresh bread. Miguel is back to his cool self. I liked Lagos; less touristy than many other parts of the Algarve that I've been to. Miguel had mentioned that (impartially) he thought it the most unspoiled of the seaside towns and resorts and it was the most economic, which from dinner last night and certainly his bar prices were witness to
So the plan today is to head up in to the hills on a run recommended by Humbug. In no time at all we're clear of Lagos and working our way up to the aforementioned hills. I'm on one of the 'M' class roads, the undulations of the road are superb. A real grin. Suspension by Zebedee. Very good GS riding
We shall not be moo-ved. Didn't want to shift, this lot. I had to be careful too as there were calves about. Once I did get through the farmer following along in his truck and I had a non-language specific giggle.
Coffee is taken in Monchique. 27 degrees it registers in the square, so feet up in the sun. A Spanish registered GS circles and stops, cue a meet with Juan Carlos from Granada who is here for a four day break with Mrs JC. We chat bikes for a while, good chap. He's on an '08 GS which went bang after he stuck the wrong fuel in it and BMW didn't sort it properly. Then followed a bigger bang and an even bigger squabble. Ah, the virtues of arguing the toss with BMW and their warranty. But now fixed he tells me it is better than ever and he's one happy esGSer.
As recommended by a Goldwing trike owner who drops by the cafe there's a short run up to Foiva, the highest point in the Algarve, which I'm recommended is worth doing
A good pointer, too- great views back down to Portimao on the coast and out to the ocean beyond.
I'd read somewhere that Eucalyptus in Portugal had been subject to some sort of rot, there were more than a fair share of gnarly examples up in the hills..
On we go, and fifteen or so very entertaining miles were done on the N267, very good rapid going in fact. There look to be plenty of fun roads worth exploring here so it'll be rude not to pop back.
And finally linking back to the main road back to the coast..
Hotel sorted.. and I'm here for a week or so..