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Rob’s Rambles ‘23
  • Robin McConchie
  • Robin McConchie

Rob’s Rambles ‘23

Adventuring through Portugal and northern Spain. Starting in Madeira, onto Lisbon, Porto and the Portuguese Coastal Camino, then across northern Spain Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 12, 2023
    Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Love Madeira m’dear

    May 12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    It’s a tough life here on Madeira, m’ dear!!! Love the Botanic Gardens, and inner city life, but the streets blow your mind!

    #penguinfacts A group of penguins in the water is called a raft but on land they’re called a waddle!Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Dancing in the streets of Funchal

    May 13, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    What a different day in downtown Funchal. I love the cobbled streets, the laneways, the orchids in the flower show, the photography gallery explaining the history of photography and Madeira, the churches, and the dancing for the flower festival.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    4WD fun in Madiera’s wild west

    May 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    4WD trip to the NW of Madeira with a bunch of Dutch and German travellers cramped into a tiny Jeep. The roads are ridiculously narrow, winding and steep. Paulo our drive was brilliant and loved it, I will make a little movie of our journey-Eyes Wide Shut. We hugged the coast visiting a small ‘Doc Martin’ like fishing village .Then it was to get a look down from one of the steepest cliff faces in the worldup and over the Madeira mountain range, visited a black sand beach, and the lava pools at Port Muniz and went off road through the mountains. Bananas and wine grape dominate, with a bit of sugar cane thrown in. #safariadvenrures23 #robsrambles23Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    More 4WD fun on Madeira

    May 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Climbing from the coast you see some spectacular views. The mountains are rugged, wine grapes grow on narrow terraces and villages are perched in precarious positions. The narrow winding roads challenge any driverRead more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    4 WD safari to Porto Moniz

    May 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Over the Madeira mountains and back to the coast. Seawalls protect tiny harbours, it reminds me of Cinque Terra. The black volcanic sand doesn’t do it for me! The lava pools at Porto Monez in the NW are unique. Then it’s back to the mountains!Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Fruity fiesta

    May 15, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    There is so much fruit and a huge variety of flowers grown in Madeira.It is paradise!!!

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Walking the Lavadas

    May 16, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Walking the Levadas -irrigation channels- is what you do in Madeira. Construction started in the mid 15th century to bring water from the north to the farms and cities in the south. Today a network of 3100km crisscross the island and are also used for hydro. The walking paths are many and varied we did about 14km. It is easy walking but as you are high up the views are gorgeous,. Great to be walking with my sister Ro and brother-in-law Rod.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Monte Palace & Sacred Art

    May 16, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A day in Funchal. Loved the Museum of Sacred Art, as the background of the painting tells a story. Checked out Monte- a Disney Land of art, botany and fun.. flamingos, toboggan rides, peacocks and African sculptures!!Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Santana

    May 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Funchal to Santana-leaving the chaos of tourism and crossing the great divide to the quieter pace of the northern coastal town of Santana. A 90 minute bus ride ( 5 Euros) winding through misty mountiain passes and tiny villages brought us to the wetter side of Madeira. Santana is a rural town famous for its A frame thatched houses. I am not sure the locals love tourists. The soil here is deep and rich and crops include wheat, potatoes, flax, fruit, vegetables and corn. The farms are tiny and I saw little or no machinery. The coast is spectacular and I don’t think I could cope with the vertical descent. Got drenched on the way back to our gorgeous accom, wait for the pics.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Away from tourists in Santana

    May 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    I took a wander around the back
    streets and tiny farms. The volcanic soil and plenty of water are a formula for fantastic crops of beans, corn, spuds and cabbage! The coast is fantastic and I loved thatched houses which are more than a tourist attraction. The bumble bees were having a field day, no wonder when you see the flowers.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Sao Jorge and Levada dei Rei

    May 18, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Filipe, an extraordinary young man who trained as a civil engineer in Slovenia, but loves running the family guest house and taxi service drove us to Levada dei Rei, not far from Sao Jorge. I love the Levada walks, it’s like walking through a botanic gardens surrounded by mountains. There are so many eucalyptus and accacia, planted to grow quickly and stabilise the slopes. We ended at a little cafe and were entertained by a courting peacock!
    The walk down to Sao Jorge thru rich farm land and fantastic gardens was a delight. We are all getting fitter! I headed to the coast but it was too far down. There is a real absence of young people in the community, so sad!    Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Walking in paradise

    May 19, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Madeira is a walker’s paradise. Today we did a 13 km walk to Levada do Caldeirao Verde, and oggled at the 100 m waterfall. Walking the levadas (aqueduct) you are on the contour so it is gentle on the knees, and the views are magnificent. But thank goodness for the handrails ‘cos sometimes the track is only 30cm wide and the falloff is hundreds of metres. There are fish in the levadas and quite a few walkers at times!!Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Onto Lisboa

    May 20, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A weird sort of day, filling in time before flight to Lisbon. The wonderful Filipe drove Ro and Rod to the airport and dropped me off at Machico to fill in time before an evening flight. Local car enthusiast were competing in a hill climb in their hotted up cars. Surfing with no surf was a bit sad. Loved a children’s book reading, the kids were so engaged and I cafe sat and finished Scrublands. At the airport.. people take thur pups in board🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹
    And the plane take-offs over the highway are must watch. Until a few years ago only military trained pilots were allowed to fly into/ out of Funchal airport    Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Lisboa and our secret hideaway

    May 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    The flight to Lisboa was on time and we even got a peak of the eastern end of Madeira and a gorgeous sunset. ☺️Finding the luggage carousel was a challenge and finding our apartment was even more of a challenge. My first experience with a stressed Portuguese taxi driver. But the accommodation is wonderful, newly renovated and so comfy. Lisboa here we come. Well done Sister Ro👍👍👍Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Lisboa- Fado

    May 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    An easy walk from our hideaway in Sao Vincente to The Fado Museum. Along the way I loved the graffiti. Fado, means Fate, and the melancholic singing is loosely captured by the Portuguese word saudade, or longing, symbolizing a feeling of loss (a permanent, irreparable loss and its consequent lifelong damage) is a part of Lisbon tradition. A wonderful form of music sung accompanied by guitars is performed in the bars and clubs all round the city. Celeste Rodrigues is one of the best and they tell her story in the Fado museum. Can’t wait to hear a show.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Lisboa- Gulbenkian Collection

    May 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Calouste Gulbenkian an oil magnate (1869-1955) was a passionate art collector, but with an eye only for the best. The displays cover a vast period and have a broad geographical spread. It’s best display I have ever seen. From Egyptian to impressionist, from ceramics to carpets, from furniture to jewellery. The gardens are beautiful and there is relaxed atmosphere.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Lisboa- Azulejo, tile Museum

    May 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Azulejo, or tiles, along with Fado are what makes Lisbon special. Housed in the Convent Madre de Deus built in 1509, the museum tells the story of tile production and its role in religious and secular life. I love tiles, the patterns, the colours and the craftsmanship. The first photo is of a 25 m panorama of Lisbon in the early 18th century before the 1755 earthquake wiped out most of the town.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    Lisboa- hills, castles and tarts

    May 22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Lisboa- it’s a hilly city but we have managed with the metro, buses and ‘shanks pony to navigate our way pretty well. There is always something to attract your attention, graffiti, murals, cafes, trams, castles, red tiled houses stacked upon each other, narrow alley ways, churches and cats! The history of invasion and the 1775 earthquake seem to dominate the life of this city where ruins date back to the Iron Age. Today we the Castello Sao Jorge, walked the Alfama, visted sardine stores Yes the humble sardine created wealth for the country and was exported all over Europe. A highlight wa a visit to the home of 1998 Nobel Laureate Author Jose Saramago. A prodigious novelist and card carrying communist.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Lisboa - from the street

    May 22, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    The history of Lisboa in cartoons. You can’t help being part of the tourist throng. The French, followed by Brazil are the biggest tourists, with Aussies a long way behind. I was fascinated by the Sardine in oil/ tuna/shrimp/ mackerel industry which has been a mainstay of the town for hundreds of years. Learned all about it at Casas des Bicos. Got into the tiles again, many carry Fado-like messages. And I justRead more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Belem.

    May 23, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    When in Lisboa, celebrate with the best Portuguese tart, enjoy the Berado art collection at the Cultural Centre both in Belem and take a little trip to the other side of the river for a grilled fish dinner. The Monument of Discovery is a must.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
    2

    Lisboa streets

    May 23, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    I just love the streets of Lisboa. It’s such a mix of elegance and reality. Old women sell nips of cherry brandy from their door front. Minimarts are everywhere. Life begins at 10pm in many districts. Graffiti with meaning is everywhere. The art, fashion and craft are leading edge but comfortable.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Sintra nightmare

    May 24, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Have you ever been on a tour where a guest has been left behind. That happened to us today. We waited for 90 mins in the bus, cos all her gear was there and left!!! ‘Not happy Jan’

    The nightmare that is Sintra, Lisbon. Too many visitors, poor guiding. Disneyland on Steroids, and Sintra was once the royal palace of Portugal until 1908 when the monarchy was overthrown!
    I am not into tours or crowds and this was a shocker!! Advice - give Sintra a miss… or get a better get a local guide for just a few people. The story is interesting. First pics - the chaos, more to come!    Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler
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    Sintra oppulence

    May 24, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Sintra palace, Lisbon. The opulence of the palace is not reflective of Portuguese architecture. I wish we had time to walk in the beautiful gardens. and do a bit of hiking. I have been checking the news for our missing passenger but can’t find anything. 🤞🤞🤞. Talking of fellow travellers, the most interesting was Elgar, born in Latvia 80 years ago. Her family escaped as the Russians advanced in the mid ‘40s and lived in a displaced persons camp for 6 years before coming to Australia 🇦🇺. She says the Latvians are worried about Russian expansion. First Ukraine 🇺🇦 and then further.Read more

  • Robin McConchieRob’s Rambles ‘23Traveler

    The Baixa- Chiado, Lisboa

    May 25, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    I love this city, especially the massive squares, the narrow lanes, the trams, the street life and the friendliness. I love the elegance of the art and the traditional crafts. The RC church seems all pervasive. Once a colonial power there are positive links with the former colonies. I had great chats with Solange from Burel wool processors and fashion house and Carolina whose family run a renowned guitar shop. But the bra house and break-dancer win today’s Portuguese tart.Read more

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