I can't believe it's almost 2 weeks since I got to Spain. It feels a lot longer than that and now I'm actually in Portugal. This past week has been full of beautiful scenery, kind people and some of the best night's sleep I've had (who knew the sound of the waves could send you into such a deep slumber). I'm writing this as I lay on my comfy bed, dog at my feet, with a view of the ocean out my bedroom window. I'm so pleased to be able to just 'be' and enjoy this.
Don't get me wrong it's not all beaches, sunsets and rainbows, there are times travelling with a dog can be stressful, tidying up constantly can be endless and there are times when you end up on scarily narrow streets and think its the end of the world. Thankfully most of the time, things go smoothly but when they don't, it scares the bejesus out of me. Those of you who saw my insta story the other day will know what I mean. Google maps took me up and down some treacherously narrow roads whilst looking for the campervan park. I ended up on roads and stone bridges that just about fit my van and scratched the whole side of someone's fence up in the hills whilst trying to squeeze through. I just kept going!
My bad!
I've stayed at some beautiful beach areas especially in Portugal where they have been secluded at night and so peaceful and the evenings are lit up by the bright orange sunsets (when its not overcast of course). I've been on long morning beach walks, exchanged 'Bom Dia' with the locals and bath in the Atlantic ocean as the sun rose. I've gotten used to cold beach showers and ocean bathing now. I'd rather do this than not bathe at all, and that's not an option. The temperature here is not hot but it's definitely comfortable to be able to do this. There's something very therapeutic about cold water on your body first thing in the morning and cold salty water, even more so. I don't think I've craved a hot shower once since I've been on this journey and probably won't as long as the ocean is close by.
I spend my days planning my route and reading reviews on Park4night as well as reading and watching episodes of friends as I cook! I have barely spent any money apart from filling up with Diesel (cheap in Spain, hella expensive in Portugal though), buying bits and bobs in the supermarket and laundry of course but this is essential stuff. The most luxurious thing I've bought recently was a manual coffee maker for the stove (I have lot's of freshly ground coffee with me) and that was on sale at €2.99. I have discovered Intermarche, a cheap supermarket that has everything and more, even laundry services outside which are awesome and cheap. I am quite close to Porto now and plan to head there tomorrow. For now I continue to work as a travel writer for 'Ireland Before You Die', which is fun and I can work when I want to, and I continue to enjoy the sound of the waves and the outdoors because this is Portugal and this is what I've been waiting for!
Don't get me wrong it's not all beaches, sunsets and rainbows, there are times travelling with a dog can be stressful, tidying up constantly can be endless and there are times when you end up on scarily narrow streets and think its the end of the world. Thankfully most of the time, things go smoothly but when they don't, it scares the bejesus out of me. Those of you who saw my insta story the other day will know what I mean. Google maps took me up and down some treacherously narrow roads whilst looking for the campervan park. I ended up on roads and stone bridges that just about fit my van and scratched the whole side of someone's fence up in the hills whilst trying to squeeze through. I just kept going!
My bad!
I've stayed at some beautiful beach areas especially in Portugal where they have been secluded at night and so peaceful and the evenings are lit up by the bright orange sunsets (when its not overcast of course). I've been on long morning beach walks, exchanged 'Bom Dia' with the locals and bath in the Atlantic ocean as the sun rose. I've gotten used to cold beach showers and ocean bathing now. I'd rather do this than not bathe at all, and that's not an option. The temperature here is not hot but it's definitely comfortable to be able to do this. There's something very therapeutic about cold water on your body first thing in the morning and cold salty water, even more so. I don't think I've craved a hot shower once since I've been on this journey and probably won't as long as the ocean is close by.
I spend my days planning my route and reading reviews on Park4night as well as reading and watching episodes of friends as I cook! I have barely spent any money apart from filling up with Diesel (cheap in Spain, hella expensive in Portugal though), buying bits and bobs in the supermarket and laundry of course but this is essential stuff. The most luxurious thing I've bought recently was a manual coffee maker for the stove (I have lot's of freshly ground coffee with me) and that was on sale at €2.99. I have discovered Intermarche, a cheap supermarket that has everything and more, even laundry services outside which are awesome and cheap. I am quite close to Porto now and plan to head there tomorrow. For now I continue to work as a travel writer for 'Ireland Before You Die', which is fun and I can work when I want to, and I continue to enjoy the sound of the waves and the outdoors because this is Portugal and this is what I've been waiting for!
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