...I'm a living legend and would have retired long ago - if only I could find someone who could do the job
This song by the Rödelheim Hartreim project and especially its last lines were my personal anthem for a long time. But is it really? - Higher, faster, further was my, our tempo for a long time. Afterwards, Torgit and I realized that this was exactly how we drove for the first few weeks of our tour. As soon as the sun wasn't playing ball, we went further. Always in search of optimization.
The last week in one place has done us good, and we realize that we are only now finally slowing down. We will certainly continue to change locations regularly. - But if we don't see anything one day, if we have nothing to report, then that's how it is. We keep thinking and talking together about what we really miss from home. It's frightening how little that really is. Of course, a warm shower is much more pleasant than today's extremely cold ones. But is that really what makes you happy? We got rid of a lot of old ballast in the weeks before our tour. Many of the items that had ended up in the cellar in recent years were sold on eBay and at flea markets or even given away. Nevertheless, a lot has remained. For example, we have three different leather sofas in three different rooms. But we only actually sat on one. Some designer pieces, illustrated books etc. are beautiful. We really wanted to own them. But what is it worth to us today? These are questions that will certainly keep us busy for some time to come. - As I write these lines, I am far away from any network. Vodafone doesn't make a peep and Telekom only sporadically. So I will upload this later.
It's 11.11. - 10:11. Yes, you read that right. 10:11. But while the clocks tick a little slower here in Portugal, it's 11:11 in Kölle - the carnival season opens in Kölle. - Our day starts without Kölsch, confetti and Kölle Alaaf. - Do we miss it? - A little, but more relaxed...
By the way, the drive-in supermarket is also more relaxed. As there are a few campers here, an old lady drives up in her Mitsubishi L300, honks her horn loudly, opens the tailgate and the market is open. Fruit, vegetables and bread are offered for sale in baskets. - The latter is still really warm. As a salesman, I find it fascinating how the price is determined by supply and demand. Nobody twitches that the price is outside the known limits. I limit myself in other ways, as I want to keep a little in line, so today I only have a "roll". - But breakfast in bed instead 😉
Not only has the understanding of the drive-in changed, but also that of coffee to go. We had long since replaced the paper cup with porcelain cups from the Viktualienmarkt coffee roastery. They have what I consider to be the world's best barista in Nino. - After all, it is famiglia. - Nevertheless, we have decided to find someone who needs the cups. We prefer to drink our coffee to slow rather than to go. The cups have therefore become superfluous.
Our large carpet hasn't proved its worth either, so we'll have to find a replacement at some point. - It's already going into an old camper, so we'll be happy if it makes someone else happy.
Afterwards we pack up. - We can't get anything out of Monchique the second time either. We therefore spontaneously decide to head back towards the sea. We owe today's destination to our friend Sabine, not from Cologne, but close by. She was in the Algarve in 2017 and recommended Monte Clerigo to us. - We're excited, but what could possibly go wrong?
The way back towards Aljezur takes us through the wooded mountains again. This area is certainly a dream for hiking in summer. In the fog with a light drizzle, it is certainly still suitable for off-road adventures. But neither our Hector nor Torgit's nerves are suitable for this, although they are improving from week to week. (Note from Torgit: practice makes perfect. Which brings us back to the clever sayings of our childhood. They're true more often than you think)
In Aljezur, we stop briefly next to a Defender reminiscent of the Lara Croft version. - Two of my dream cars are standing next to each other. One I have, the other I had. Who still wants Mercedes, Porsche & Co? - At least my dreams have changed. - We are approached by Karo in the parking lot. The situation is a bit strange. Did we want to buy bread? Karo looks like you'd think of drugs at first, although she "only" has home-baked wholemeal bread for sale. - But after weeks of white bread, that's also like a drug. Karo has been in Portugal since the 80s. Her children grew up here. The eldest spent ten years in Germany and then came back with his wife, child and horse. - He would have built a straw bale house with half-timbering, clay walls and so on. So all in all, nice, but a bit eco.
When we arrive in Monte Clerigo, Torgit first explores the beach and I check out the options for a place to spend the night. We find something suitable at the top of the cliffs. - We meet up again on the beach and decide to go for a bite to eat. There is a small restaurant open at the end of the beach. - O Sargo has certainly not seen the last of us. - Next time we have to do something we rarely do: take photos of the food. This one was not only super tasty, but also looked super good. But today we were too hungry to take out our iPhones again. We would much rather enjoy the cozy atmosphere and chat a little. - Torgit does with her poke bowl what she likes to do with her food. - Simply mix everything up first. In the Bergisch region, we say "among each other". There, for example, carrots are mixed together. - These are mashed carrots, potatoes, onions, bacon, sausage, everything mixed together. Delicious! - Torgit proudly tells us once again that her grandpa, the "rag picker", also mixed everything together first. Every time Torgit talks about her grandpa, her eyes light up. - She got to know grandma, grandpa, great-grandma and great-grandpa on both sides. - I only knew my grandma and she was a Schärmetz, but that's another story. In any case, I love the pride with which she talks about her grandpa, who owned a waste paper warehouse in Godesberg. - But I like the term rag picker, because then it's also clear why Torgit chose a hedge bum like me. (Torgit's note: This also explains my passion for scrap yards. My grandfather also collected non-ferrous metals. Oh yes, and I have an eye for soccer pitches, because EVERY man in my father's family played soccer. Which explains the weekend activities of my childhood. Other children had to go to the museum with their parents. At least I was out in the fresh air. Marc's father always worried he was gay because he didn't play soccer. I was grateful. )
Yes, where is he? - Not just a Hector, but above all a "sheltered corner" search picture. The wind is icy. We'll certainly leave the pop-up roof stowed away tonight.
Insight of the day: Where there are waves, there is wind! - There are no hedges for protection today.
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