I have never had a Christmas in the cold and I didn't want to start. I love a crisp cold morning in New Zealand when the sky is perfect blue and you know that in a few hours when the dew has dried up it is going to be hot. What I don't like is cold for the sake of being cold. Grey skies with drizzle, fog and the occasional sleet. Of course I am referring to the London winter and quite frankly I don't know who in their right minds would want to have to endure one, let alone spend Christmas in it.
That in mind we decided to travel away from London as we have become so damn good at doing. We chose Portugal. It wouldn't be as hot as New Zealand but it would be bearable with blue skies oh and I should also mention world class consistent surf, beach and reef breaks with continuous offshore winds and good swell.
As we arrived the night before Christmas we had provided a shopping list and asked the Surf Camp where we were staying to go and get food for our Christmas dinner as all the shops and restaurants would be closed. After a tube, a monorail, a plane, a taxi, a bus and then another taxi we arrived. We rummaged through our pre-purchased food happy all the things we asked for had been bought, then for the more important stuff asked the surf camp what the surf conditions were like. PERFECT. Unfortunately the camp was closed the next day and it was to late to hire a board.
Anyway the next day, Christmas, was amazing. Bacon and fruit salad on pancakes with golden syrup for breakfast forged the way for a great day. The guides were right. The waves were a perfect 4-5 foot with no wind. The Surf Camp was situated in a small town called Peniche which sat on a peninsular and large bay. We decided to head out for a wander around the bay. 3 hours later and about 7km we returned tired a little sun burnt but happy to be in the outdoors in a warm and wonderful place for Christmas 2008 (Would still have rather been with family and friends but that was not possible).
Julie had not really surfed before, and as I wanted to surf rather than teach, we decided to get lessons. This meant for the next three days for four hours a day Julie was washing machined around in shore break white water with a small Portuguese man on the shore yelling advice. She did much better by the end especially after the embarrassing video playback sessions.
There is not really much else to say. It was the perfect holiday for me. Get up in the morning, have some kai, go surfing for two hours, have some more kai, go surfing for another two hours, come home for some more kai then to the cafe/bar for awhile then to bed. For Julie I think it was more of a challenge but she always had a big smile on her face.
On the last day we went into town to check out the historic sites etc. It is the second time I have been to the Portugal and I must say I am very impressed. If anyone who surfs is looking for a nice place to catch some waves then I fully recommend it. If you don't surf I fully recommend it as well for a relaxing and beautiful place and there is definitely enough surf shops to keep a shopper happy. I would recommend visiting during their the Northern Hemisphere winter however as the place must be heaving with people in the summer.
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