May 11 - last day in Estoril

Well safe to say this area is experiencing cooler and wetter conditions than normal. Another late night storm that cleared by morning.

Road trip day! Heading north along the coast towards Nazare. 

This is how close some of the homes are to the roads! 

Not long before the sun came out in all its glory! Heading into farm country.

Portugal has 943 km of coastline....its pretty rugged and spectacular!

This is a key region for surfing in Portugal. Many surf schools and surf camps along the way.

Happened upon this really cool home. 

Jorge Soares was a self-taught artist, and after he retired and became widowed, he devoted all of his time to creating azulejo decorations and placing the objects he had since collected - or rather gathered and accumulated, in the villa.  He created a labyrinth in the garden and named the paths after close relatives; he erected a tower and hoisted a flag, engraved versions and opened a private museum, the "Solar dos Jorges".

The beaches just go on and on....

Came across a large RV holiday park, we have not seen many around but this one has been here since 1968! Love the enclosures! All zippered up when not in use!

Lots of the smaller beach towns were still not ready for visitors. I am thinking there is just so much coastline that the more remote ones really open up closer to June or July for the major start of tourist season.

Cool little beach ride!

Spent about an hour in Penich, another popular surf town.

Found a great little hike with some amazing views!

Happened upon Varanda de Pilatos, a natural scenic viewing area that you climb down into. This area is 

considered one of the world's best geological records of the Early Jurassic (approx. 183 million years ago)..... now that's old!!

Then finally made it to our final destination, Nazare. Guess what???.... they hate him too!!!

Nazare is best know for its waves, producing some of the largest surfable waves in the world, often exceeding 20 meters (65 feet) and occasionally surpassing 30 meters (100 feet) during winter (October–March). 

No big waves today...but a very impressive view!!

Our beer of choice here!!! Super Bock!

This is where they watch the big waves from!

Went down into Old Town Nazare, the area had lots of damage in January from Storm Kristin, I was watching intently wondering if much would be left to this area and if we would even make the trip. But the area is very resilient and although we did see lots of remnants of the destruction they are rebuilding. 

First time I have ever seen a laundromat like this.....outside in a garage area.

Found a great place for dinner along the water, lots of locals eating here so always a great sign....

Lots of shellfish on the menu here in Portugal... an older couple eating a plate of barnicles.... they looked like miniature dog feet!!!

And then little snails that looked like the ones you find in your garden... they were really popular!

No no no no... not for us...

And leaving Nazare for home we saw the devastation in the area where thousands of  trees were snapped in half...

Took the high toll road home....interesting to see how much it cost as the rental has a transponder... time will tell! 

Final words from the arm reat in our trusty little car!