Winter Sun 2020. Camping Rio Formosa Portugal.

A short drive on the motorway and we were soon at Rio Formosa near Cabanas de Tavira on the coast. A great little site which we had used last year. The site was much  as we remembered and was in the process of it's winter tidy up. Clean and very well maintained. We were soon settled in on our two pitches, hard standing on gravel so handy in bad weather!

Four large water bottles to keep our mat down and we were set up. Nice pitch sideways on so we could meet the morning sun!

Not much had changed from the previous year although it looked like they were extending the site. The restaurant opened following a winter break on our second day. 

We were pleased to find out that the wobbly bridge to Tavira had been fixed! Hurray! we were able to cycle all the way via the Grand Plaza, which we went to visit. Loads of furniture shops a typical mall, nothing special but handy.

The wonky bridge, no longer wonky.

Down at Cabanas de Tavira nothing was really different although the weekends were lovely so the boat to the beach was running. Lots of the extra summer restaurants were having a spruce up before opening for summer visitors.

We had a great two weeks here. Extending our stay by 5 nights. We were very lucky that our pitches were still free so we didn't have to move.

We spent a couple of days exploring Tavira and had some great lunches. Tavira was very busy with lots of visitors and the little train was running.

Lunch out a very reasonable meal.

Across the river to Tavira.

My friend the rusty soldier. I felt sorry for him standing still, pretending to be a statue.

These were real statues outside the train station on both sides of the road.

Rio campsite is great for transport links so we had a couple of days out. Using our wrinkly discount on the train only around 4 euros for both of us!

Santa Antonia on the Spanish border was an interesting day out. You could see Spain across the water 1.90 E for the ferry.

An imposing station for a small place.

The marina was crammed.

We had lunch at a lovely restaurant called Henry's the owners had just set it up and were very friendly.

Another day out by train and we went to Faro. The station was near to the airport. We had a good wander around the shops and the old town. The cathedral was well worth the visit with fabulous views from the bell tower.

Stork watch! I wondered if they were troubled by the bells.

The stunning interior of the cathedral.

The view from the bell tower.

Move before those bells chime!!

Two weeks at Rio Formosa have flown by and time to move on. Certainly a great place to while away a winter.

A dash cam. Rio Formosa to Bella Vista.