It’s cold again in the morning, but there is no frost on the windscreen, so it’s not as cold as previous mornings. I have a hearty breakfast of pancakes. I leave Sagres and head north towards the Alentejo.
I really enjoyed the drive north. I haven’t had a journey with any real adventure or purpose to it for months, and I miss it. I drive past Amado and Arrifana, beaches I have been too many times, and perhaps beaches I will not visit again on this trip. I cross familiar roads and landmarks. I remember the low-lying bridge at Odeceixe, with is large billboards showing the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve. I drive north, with the changing scenery. I get to Villa Nova de Milfontes. I am meeting Craig, Fern and Paul at Praia de Malhao, but I don’t know where the beach is. It is not signposted, and I my satellite navigation unit does not know the beach. I try a few likely looking places, and end up at Peach Tree Island, a scenic place I had read off. These beaches are well sheltered from the waves, and it is good to get a reference for a beach I am sure I will return to. I head into Porto Covo as it is not far. I text Craig and get instruction for Malhao. I head back towards Vila Nova. Following the instructions I find the beach fairly easily. It is off a road I had investigated initially.
Malhao is a beautifully spot, even in the biting wind. The weather does feel a degree cooler here, but it is hard to say in this current cold spell. The beaches are big and undulating. The swell is of a perfect size for me, but it is far too cold for me to go in. The deserted beaches and clean waves remind me of Galicia, in Spain.
Craig, Fern and Paul have a little base with a campfire and lots of firewood. Craig has made lots of friends of the locals. They have been chatting with people, including a shepherd who they chatted with, although in gesture as he spoke no English. Even with a campfire going the police seem uninterested.
The Alentejo is showing a lot of promise compared to the Algarve. It is deserted, things are cheaper and the people are very friendly. It does seem cooler though, and I am seriously considering buying a winter wetsuit. It’s a big cost though, but I suspect I will wear the suit into May, so it will be worth it.
