It's all in the game: Day 16 Down the Iberian Peninsular- Cascais

Day 2 in Cascais (well outside)

It was nice weather when we got up, we got our Camper moved to a better spot, lots of people get on the move early, therefore we had a choice of vacated plots. We moved to easy walking distance to the toilets and showers, also the camper toilet disposal was just across the road. Perfect.

The campsite is one of a chain that we have quite standard, with well maintained ablutions and all have internet, some better than others, this one had a WiFi room, so you had to go to the restaurant area, no problem, you can have a beer while going about your online business.

We got ourselves ready for the off, we were going to have a look at one of the premier surfing sites in Portugal. The area of the campsite is set in a pine forest, but direct outside you come to a board walk that takes you through protected dune land shaft, you are not allowed to stray from the straight and narrow, but why bother the rare plants and grasses are right before your eyes, you exit on to a view of Cap Rae, we were informed the most westerly point in Mainland Europe. I believe I heard Linda sucking her teeth in dismay.

We popped into a couple of the rather upmarket hotels and restaurants, the guy at our reception had warned us that the prices were as the sea, well salted and he was right

We decided to catch the bus into Cascais, I believe this was one of our better decisions of this holiday. We alighted at the bus station right in the centre of Cascais, it is not a nice bus station, but then I know of none that are, unlike train stations which can be of monumental architectural beauty.

Across the road we went first to the small harbour, I can small something fishy a mile away. Then across the road passing the museum a very nice building in a very nice square. Down the street passing an Irish Pub, they are like dogs poo, bleeding everywhere, I once even found a one on Don Det Island in the middle of the Mekong in Laos.

We saw a nice restaurant come wine bar called The Tasting Rooms. Looked good so in we went.

It was quite busy, but we were directed to a nice seat beside the open window (this also served as a counter where you could sit and watch the world go by). We selected first our wine, we hadn’t had a lot of Rosé this holiday, so requested one (except what we had brought with us), the sommelier brought us one, we tasted and said it wasn’t to our taste (too insipid), the next hit the spot!

We now ordered our food, there is a board at the window, but also a good menu with two pages of Tapas. We had been very good and on the whole not had many chips this holiday (I am cutting down on my carbs), but we ordered a basket, also squid cakes, deep-fried sprats, cod cakes and finally baby squid cooked whole (including heads and eyes) in a spicy paprika and tomato sauce. It was all delicious. If you ever go to Cascais, this is a place not to miss.

Leaving we went across the road to a Birkenstock shoe shop, Linda had noticed this from afar, but though she looked she didn’t purchase. We then walked through the small streets until we saw a nice ice-cream shop, it was actually a chocolate and Port wine purveyor, but near to the door the lady had an ice-cream counter. The nice lady said we could sit on the elegant sofa at the far end of the shop, which we did. The inside was very Nobel, with polished mahogany showcases and counters displaying only the best of the Ports and Chocolates, Linda even got a free tasting, I declined, I am not a chocolate type of person.