This is a second attempt to update this blog. Just as I was about to publish the last one, I lost my connection; so now I have to start over. Bloody irritating. Piggy is probably wondering when I will be returning!

I am writing this from the bar of the campsite Camping de Parc Natural de Monfrague, a few kilometres north of Trujillo. The park is a beautiful place; famous for it’s wildlife; particularly large numbers of raptors and black storks. We arrived here yesterday; after being told by a park warden, very politely, that wild camp ups were not allowed. So we have taken the opportunity to catch up on washing etc.; even having another shower!

This site has a large contingent of British; mostly very friendly; although some seem to spend a lot of their time moaning about their satellite reception! But there are several like minded birdwatchers here. This morning, while we were breakfasting al fresco, azure winged magpies were as numerous as the many sparrows competing for our leftover bread; and one was building a nest in the branches of a tree a few feet from our table. Various twitchers crept up to take photos; perhaps we should have charged admission fees!

Tomorrow we leave here, to spend a day in the park, hoping for views of the aforementioned storks, vultures and eagles. Then we are popping back into Portugal for a few days, for more lazing about next to barragems; a pastime that we enjoyed while with Pat and Pedro. The pace of life in Portugal is more relaxed than Spain; a halfway house between that country and Morocco. We intend to explore the countryside much more thoroughly on our next expedition out of Blighty.

While I have been writing this a young Senorita has been chatting away to me at top speed; despite me having to admit to ‘pocito’ Espagnol. She didn’t seem to mind doing the talking for both of us though, and she has just left my side to have a scrap with her younger sister, on the bar floor.

After the barragems, we must turn, reluctantly, homeward. I just hope that the good weather follows us to Wales. That’s all for now. Wish you were (all) here; and see you in April.