DAY 1
I don't plan to go through the trip to Portsmouth . I had the ferry booked from Portsmouth to Santander, it sailed at 17.00 hrs and arrived at 17.30 hrs the following day . The Brittany Ferries web site http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/ is pretty good and gives all the options , Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao and Plymouth to Santander . Its just a question of juggling price and arrival time , in an ideal world leaving late in the day and arriving early in the morning is perfect but not always possible. Just one word of warning allow plenty of time for the journey , I followed signs for the Isle of White ferry by mistake,(yes and I had used the ferry twice before) so wasted nearly an hour in Portsmouth. I also met someone on the ferry who once rode to Plymouth by mistake!! For anyone who hasn't been on the ferry before its best treated as part of the holiday, relax have a beer , sunbathe , its not cheap (cheaper than driving from Calais though) but it is enjoyable . You will hear horror stories , I stalled on the ramp once which was so embarrassing, but take things as they come and you will get off the other side unscathed.
DAY 2
With the ferry arriving at the end of the day I had pre-booked a hotel in Santander which was advertised as 1 km from the ferry , and to my surprise it was! I found it easily and could park outside . Not a great area slightly inflated price but it served a purpose, as I slept well and was ready to go the day after.
DAY 3
I had not booked anywhere, but the plan was to spend two nights camping in the Picos de Europa, enabling me to have a full days exploring without luggage. I do not have a Sat Nav but was using a Michelin map which was adequate though lacking in detail . I easily navigated my way out of Santander following signs for Torrelavega before taking the AS 114 towards Cangas de Onis. I had no set route planned for the trip , my only criteria was to avoid motorways and not to rush . Campsites are plentiful in the Pico's . I looked at a couple and drove to Potes on the N 621 before plumping for the one above near Cangas de Onis .
DAY 4
A circular tour best shown with photos . The N625 to Riano and back via the N621.
DAY 5
An early start as it was day 5 and I was still only a stones throw from Santander. The plan was to see how far I got by 16.00 hrs and then start looking for a campsite. Unfortunately (ha ha ) I had to retrace my route of the day before and head on the N625 to Riano picking up the N621 to Cistierna , confusingly it then became the N625 again which I followed to St Maria del Paramo then to La Baneza before taking the LE125 to the beautiful Spanish town of Puebla de Sanabria a few miles from the Portuguese border.I stayed at the campsite there.
DAY 6
Another early start and I was soon entering Portugal on its northern border .This route took me through the Parque Natural de Montesinho an area used to train for the Tour de France because of its quiet and challenging roads.
Following the N103-7 to Braganca then staying on the N103 to Chaves brought me to the N2 which I followed south before taking the N226 to Trancoso.
This is a stunning route as it goes through the Douro region of Portugal and the new motorway bridge is spectacular.
Day 6 ended at Trancoso . I had been here before and knew a good budget hotel which was very welcome after 3 nights camping and a fairly long day.
DAY 7
The rest of the journey is fairly well known to me , I have visited the towns of Portalegra , Evora and Beja all places of historical interest in the Alentejo region of Portugal already. My destination is in sight but to make Sagres ( Europe's most westerly point ) in a day I will have to jump on the motorway just above Guarda and leave it at the IP2 signposted Portalegra. This is breaking my golden rule and the motorway is a toll road . At the time I had no idea how to pay the toll but the hotel owner assured me it wasn't necessary on a foreign registered bike , so I went for it .I have since learned you can buy a scratch card from a Post Office and register your number-plate via mobile phone. I have now done this.Once on the IP2 I followed this fast road into the Algarve , picking up the IC1 and turning off at Monchique. This last 50 miles to Sagres is a must !!!
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