Along roads you don't plan - Part 3
This is part 3 of a travel story from one of our customers. They were on the road for two months with the Outbase ID. Buzz through Portugal.
An enchanting morning and a muddy end
The day begins promising-Cabo Sardão awaits us, with its rugged cliffs and proud lighthouse. "Just a little walk," I say. Two hours later, with muddy shoes and wet socks, we return to our bus. The ocean has enchanted us, but what is to come will really test us.
A city of flavors and an invisible threat
In Vila Nova de Milfontes, we start the day with coffee and a pastel de nata at a local bakery. The storm that is predicted does not yet show itself. We laugh at our self-control: one pastel de nata a day should be enough.
Sines is our next destination-a city with a rough edge and, we hope, a reliable charging station. But then disaster strikes: our charging card doesn't work. Not here, not there, not at four different poles. Shell offers a "fix" by phone -within five days they call back. "This is a joke," I mutter. The man on the line remains polite; it's just "the procedure.
The battle for power
While Hester struggles with a Portuguese charging app, I go looking for help. A glimmer of hope: the app finally works, but not on this pole. Then a Portuguese savior shows up. He spontaneously returns with his private card and charges our bus. We give him a big tip and leave relieved, chocolate and nuts within reach.
Storm and oranges
We arrive late at a beautiful garden in Sesimbra. The promised storm finally breaks and rages over our bus, but we sleep soundly. Only at dawn do we see the havoc around us: trees are down, on neighbors' roofs; one hangs dangerously half broken over our Buzz. Armed with a rope and a chainsaw, I drop it in a controlled manner. "And now to pick up the fallen oranges and make fresh gravy," we grin. Delicious!
The cable issue
Trying a new charging system? Failed. Then the last resort: a regular outlet. But after four attempts, a blinking red light reveals the painful truth-our own cable is broken. Giancarlo, a friend of a friend, comes to the rescue with a spare cable. His diesel-powered jeep earns him a teasing comment: "Diesel will get you much further in Portugal."
A nearby car dealer wants to sell us a cable for 2,300 euros; Amazon can deliver one for 130. Rutger sends us a new Shell charging card via DHL. But we celebrate the real victory with a full battery and a traditional Portuguese lunch. A restaurant owner, just retired, shares our camper dream. For him it is an experiment; for us, by now, a way of life. As we leave, he spontaneously presses a bottle of local red wine into our hands. "Not only the Douro has good wine," he winks.