Date: 13th August 2019
Travelled: 158 kms from Porto to Moimenta da Beira in the Province of Beira
Visited: Driving the Alto Douro and Lamego
Stayed: Wildcamping on Barragem de Vilar, Moimenta da Beira, no services. N40.97316, W07.54097
Budget: 65 days @ โฌ80 per day
Despite our long day in Porto yesterday we plan a long drive today hence try for an early start. There are some 30+ motorhomes in this aire and most seem very slow at servicing their campers, so we decide to be first.
We start the Hymer and roll over to the service point around 8am and start doing what needs to be done, when I hear the Aussie twang. A young couple from the central coast are here in a small camper. So we chat away probably pissing off the other motorhomers trying to get back to sleep.
We say our goodbyes and roll out, our first stop the Lidl for a supermarket top up. Then the tollway…
Our cousins Terry and Lelia did a cruise up the Rio Douro last year and recommended Lamego and itโs astonishing baroque staircase. We arrive in Lamego about 1pm, itโs hot and sunny.
Lamego, Norte, Portugal
Map of Lamego, the icon on our parking spot.
We park the Hymer and walk to the start of the staircase up to the Igreja de Noosa Senhora. This climb is one of Portugalโs most important pilgrimage sites.
About 580 steps later we only have another 40 to go. 
Finally we reach the Igreja de Nossa Remรฉdios.
Inside the church. I should have taken a photo showing more of the sky blue rococo ceiling. Looks like Wedgewood. 
The pilgrims make their offerings in a small chapel behind the alter.
Back in the Hymer, we cool down as best we can given Lamego is Portuguese for โno shadeโ. In reality Lamego was an amazing experience and we’re glad we stopped. Our thoughts turn to an overnight stop with a view. Our data-base shows a wildcamping spot on a lake near Moimenta da Beira about 20 kms to the south-east, so why not have a look, we donโt have a train to catch.
Moimenta da Beira, Norte, Portugal
Map of the lake and our overnight stop.
There is no shade near the lake so we park up the road in a shady spot near the village till 7pm. 
Driving back down to the lake we have dinner and watch the sun set.
Michael and Pam
