Saturday 8 March 2014

We have decided to move on today, this is a nice enough aire but there's nowhere to relax and it's a bit expensive - but it is ideal for visiting Seville. We'll be back.

So emptied the tanks, topped up the water, paid the man and headed off, back up to Seville, round the motorways - signposting is good so no problems - and onto the motorway towards Portugal. Whilst we usually prefer to avoid motorways, there really isn't another logical route so we took a gentle cruise, enjoying the sunshine and the scenery.

Distinctive motorway bridge on A69

Eventually, the bridge spanning the Rio Guardiana, which forms the border, came into view:

Spanish/Portuguese border bridge

Once across, the road goes directly onto the motorway. Most of Portugal's motorways are toll, many of them automatic so you are supposed to register your vehicle so that you can be charged. It's an easy enough process, just swipe your credit card through the machine, it reads your number plate and issues a registration voucher which is your proof.

However we have no intention of using the motorways so took the next turn-off to Vila Real de Santo Antonio to once again enjoy the collection of connected potholes that are Portugal's main roads. Memories of Morocco!

Last year we discovered a brand new aire just along the coast at Manta Rota so thought we'd give it a try. Though busy, with various nationalities ensconced, there was room for us so we settled in to a nice sunny spot then walked back into the village for some bread and huge ice-creams!

Think we'll stay here a few days.