Thought I had Posted this!
It may be of Interest.
Faro 2007
Well another year another Faro this time we made things a little different.
New route, change in accommodation, and duration. So here goes!
Days 1 & 2
We left on the evening of Friday the 13th. WTF The crossing was pretty routine although we were sharing the ship with some 65 bikes on the BSH run to the sun (Oh well)
On the crossing we kept a weathered eye out for whales but we only saw the Channel Islands, France or Spain. We have now crossed the Bay of Biscay a number of times and have been told how rough it can get,
Bol*&%Ks, It has been a mill pond every time.
Day 3
On arrival at the docks in Bilbao it was the normal cluster F*&K, with BSH bikes all over the place, we had already pre mapped the GPS so we slid through the shenanigans and headed south with a couple on a sports bike slotted in behind us. (After clearing the FUBAR of Bilbao the sports bike waved their goodbyes and soon disappeared into the distance (we were cruising at 75/80) at high speed. That first riding day we covered some 380 miles through the mountains and over the Northern Plains of Spain. The sun was shining, the roads were virtually empty and the beer was cold. So south we headed not a care in the world. Then it started? An electrical problem with my bike, the bike kept misfiring which shut down the EFI for a second then the bike restarted. (Had to put up with this for several days but fixed it eventually, will bore anyone interested later.) Then we arrived at Jota’s Bar in Trancoso, some food and cold beers. (No charge as we were on Harleys) This guy is beyond dought the most chilled out bar owner I have ever met. Did I mention the bar is themed out in JD & HD and that Jota rides a Harley? Well we left there happy and made our way over the last few miles to Bob’s and a shower a few quiet beers and a good night sleep. (Too much parting on the boat!)
Day 4
The next morning, guess what? The SUN was up before us and was in its full glory. Some breakfast, load the bikes and hit the road. We headed off West to Aveiro
And lunch with Bob’s architect before turning south and Coimbra where I insisted in wasting a couple of hours in the midday sun, repeatedly riding past an empty shop looking for a stealership that we had been to before, I wanted to hook up to the computer and sort out the problem with the electrics.
It turned out that the empty shop was where the stealership had been!
Head off south again towards Lisbon and then east for Evora on the old N roads and the campsite for the night. As we took some well-deserved shade and a cold beer we noticed a GNR (Police) patrol car taking a bit of interest in us. After circling us 3 or 4 times it stopped and the nice man approached and after explaining that we did not speak Portuguese he said “No problem mate I lived in London for 5 years and my question is, is your number plate legal in Scotland? Of course it is officer! And after a long chat about Chelsea and Nortons he was back in his car and off with a smile and a wave. The remainder of the day was uneventful until we reached the approach road / track it was something else and saw us undertake the first bit of off roading of the trip. The staff/owner was an A1 guy who could not do enough to look after us. Cold beer time!
Day 5
Yet another late start but as it was only a short jump down to Se’Bras we took our time and enjoyed the sun and empty roads. We arrived at the cassa de paddy in good time to see one of the best sunsets ever, do some shopping and have a couple of beers by the pool.
Day 6
Woke to the sounds of the gardener happily whistling his way through life but not as we know it Jim. After breakfast we went off too the shops for 5 days worth of supplies and a look at the town. Not much to it but we were only 7 miles from Faro and the beach. I then went off to fine the stealership and following the directions Bob had got from John and Martin found if without too much trouble. I pulled in just behind a group of 8 bikes from Gibraltar, of whom 4 bikes needed some work done. I waited patiently (Knowing the Portuguese way, Get pushy you get nowhere) as they finished the last bike; they then promptly closed for a 2-hour lunch break. Back to the house for some lunch then back to the shop early so as to be first in the door. 2 hours later with us all scratching our heads we had still not found the problem. Back to the house where me and Bob spent another 2 hours cleaning pushing and pulling wires checking fuses again and again, it was at this point I threatened to part exchange her for a Yamaha and guess what she has been running sweet since. Time for a cold one.
Day 7
Beach day at Albufiera. These are very nice, clean and not too busy. Just the place to Chillout in the sun, even better there are bars all along the front so not far for a refill. The food was also very good but a bit costly; then again we were on the Algarve!
Day 8
Today we rode over to Monte Gordo to visit the Harley Bar and catch up with John and Martin a couple of lads from Sheffield who had the year before sold up in the UK and with their respective girlfriends moved down and set up shop. MG is a very nice seaside location, which is used by the Portuguese as their place in the sun?? On the way back the IP1 was flowing fast and full of bikes all making their way to Faro for the rally. Along the way an old heritage adopted us and sat on our tail for about 20 miles, we were more than happy to pull him along at 95/100. It was when we pulled off for Se Bras that I noticed that he was still with us, so I pulled over and had a quick chat, pointing him in the right direction for the rally and said adios. When we got back to the villa Bob and Liz Headed off to the Rally, Karol and Me had some relaxed pool time and watched yet another fantastic sunset.
Day 9
Beach day at St Raphael, yet another great beach location just passed Albufiera. Got back in time to have some food and jump in a cab down to the rally, mainly, as Jo Cocker was the main band and credit where credit is due he was on the ball. Reminder of how small the world is when we bumped into Nigel from Kent. Reality check its 4 o’clock! Time to head home and catch some sleep
Day 10
It was time to say farewell to Liz who had to fly back to the UK, yes that little devil called Work. We then loaded the bikes and set off for Sagres, no not the beer but the town of the same name, which is located at the SW, tip of Portugal. Well what can I say? We knew as we approached that we had made a mistake. The first view of the town said it all. Power station, wind farm, brewery and high cliffs. The campsite was on a wind swept savannah, atop the cliffs (Nice views), which looked as inviting and popular as NF meeting in Bradford. Change of plan! Turned the bikes around and headed for a campsite we had used in the past. Eventually found said campsite in Armacao de pera. Good site if a little dusty stayed here for four nights. The local beach and town are very good and there is always something happening. Days 11, 12, 13, and 14
See next page