Solo Women Van Life | A Change from Wild Camping to embracing Campsites for Security & Community

Solo Women Van Life | A Change from Wild Camping to embracing Campsites for Security & Community

So since leaving the UK heading through Belgium, France, Spain, even popping over to Gibraltar, we made it here to Portugal yesterday. It’s a gorgeous little place. It’s called Cabanas, that we’ve got to, and we’ve actually come to a campsite. And the main reason for that is for security really.

We’re not going to get moved on by the police because Sandra’s got to go home for a few days. So by being on a site, it just makes things a lot easier until Sandra gets back from Ireland. So staying put at this campsite has allowed me to

Get on with loads of van jobs, but also I’ve got an old mate in mine here called Linny, and she’s going to show me around the local area. So being new to Portugal, Linny has brought me here to Tavira, the nearest town to show me what Portugal is all about.

And I’m just loving all the gorgeous buildings, but the main thing that we’re going to do today is we’re going to search of a famous tart. Don’t be rude, the Portuguese tart. Hi guys, welcome to Portugal. Yes, so Linny’s just been on Google trying to find the best place for this special tart.

So this quest now is going to take us onto this boat. Thank you. So it’s been quite a few weeks since I’ve been on a boat, so will I still have my sea legs? So we’re currently on the Gilão River which takes us towards

The Ria Famosa Islands and we’re going to the Tavira Island which will take us about 15 minutes. We’ll see all the birds and the salt pans The Ria Formosa has been created over the last 50 years through natural disasters and basically it’s formulated its own

Sandbanks and now it’s used for migrating birds towards and from Africa and Portugal’s little stop-off point for a few months for them. So it’s full of fish and all variants of birds and Flamingo’s is what is famous for. We’re getting blown. I wish my Narrowboat went this fast

So we’ve had no luck on the boat journey around the islands so we’re now going to go a little bit more inland. Yep, we’re still on search for this tart and nice cup of coffee to go with it. Is it worth it? Is it up there? do we follow them?

So this quest has brought us to this old castle. I’m sure it’s not up there though, Linny. So we’ve come all the way up to top of this castle so we can see the whole of Tavira to try and find this Portuguese tart. She better be worth it.

Eventually after our quest in search of the tart we found two. It’s like a croissant, filo pastry, filo pastry and a very sweet egg custard. Lovely. So was it all worth coming to here going on a boat going around some islands in search of the perfect tart?

I have to say yes it was. So the other good thing about being on a campsite is we’re on mains power so I’ve just put the big bluetti on charge. My Big un! I Like a big un we couldn’t have coped without that to be honest.

That’s the AC200 one and it’s Brilliant it’s got all the USBs. It’s got mains but what I use it for is charging my small bluetti because that’s portable and also to charge the vans power. And for the past I think it’s about 14, 12 nights we’ve been off grid totally.

So we were at the marina for a few nights We didn’t have power there and then Sandra broke down So we really couldn’t have coped without these power banks so they’re getting charged up now. Also the best thing about being on this campsite is

That got washing machines so that means I can get all my bedding done, all my laundry and also rather than having a shower in my little shower just a quick shower like I’ve been having every day I can go and have a massive long shower because they’re showers here as well.

Yeah so it’s just brilliant. So good morning everyone and I’m going to just take you to Linny’s posh motorhome and give you a tour because it’s very different compared to my little camper van Look at everything it’s got. It’s got a massive dinette here with the swivel chairs,

Fixed double bed with storage underneath. There’s a massive bathroom. Look at this bathroom. It’s got a shower, it’s got a toilet, it’s got a lovely sink and a massive mirror so that’s fabulous doing your lip-y in the morning. There’s a nice kitchen with an air fryer she’s got

A coffee machine and she’s also got this wonderful fridge freezer Even has it’s own bar oh my goodness I need one on my boat It’s even got a TV. And then I added that which is a little pop-up. Really? I’ve got all these little add-ons and even like your simple things

Like crocs, crocs, just put your shoes out of the way. So are you a croc wearer let me know in the comments So here I am I’ve got a lovely brew but this van it’s just wonderful. Linny does this on her own she comes away in

This big un she’s been everywhere she’s been all over Europe but she’s come to this site now just for a few days of relaxation and also to help me and Sandra with the dogs. So let’s go over to Linny and find out a little bit about her.

I’ve been pretty much full time on the road in my motorhome now for about the last four years. I came out of the army after 25 years so I proud veteran and I love going around now and going on adventures in the motorhome i’ve been all over

France, Spain, Portugal so it’s good for my health. I travel with my companion Buddy and he loves it and we go around the UK in the summer it’s the best way of living life for me. You know what I have to seeing that optic there With the Rum in it, I’m gonna now

Make myself a pirate coffee. There we go yeah so cheers everyone. Oh god that’s nice that’s nice. So we sat down with a little rum and watched a bit of TV until there was a knock at the door welcome back welcome back. So we’ve left now that lovely campsite and

My friend Linny, it’s been fantastic spending a few days there and it was a necessity because Sandra had to nip home back to Ireland for a few days so it was a safe place for all and I had Linny to help me with the dogs.

Bonny got on with her dog buddy and they played together and it was so lovely for that to happen because it’s all again helping with Bonny’s socialising because those that don’t know Bonny’s a little rescue and she’s got some little problem as bless her but we’re working through all those

But now Sandra’s back we are off now to explore as much as Portugal as we can in the time we’ve got left So I’ll tell you what, It feels like I’m at home because of all these pot holes on the roads That’s one thing about France and Spain the roads were immaculate.

They were brilliant, but now in Portugal there are all these pot holes and cracks in the road just like the UK. She hates water so I don’t think she will. No you don’t like it do you Bonny You don’t like the water So just exploring all these boardwalks and they have a

Lot of these in Portugal especially around the nature reserves where you can see all the nature and all the birds and the wildlife and it’s so beautiful anyway we’ve just spotted here we’re not sure if they’re cormorants or shags? It’s been so long we can’t tell the difference

So if you know the difference between a cormorant and a shag please let us know in the comments So today we’ve come to Silves which is the ancient Capital of Portugal. Let’s go and have a look in this castle but

First this guy look at the size of his sword, it’s a big un So the Greeks and Carthaginians transversed this place long time ago around 201 BC and even the Romans have been here such an amazing place very old lots of history and also back in 1755 there was

A massive earthquake back in Lisbon which is quite far over there but it shook this place to the rafters and the cathedral was knocked down the tower some of the castle walls yeah it’s just amazing I love castles I was hoping to see a cannon while I’m here

Because you know being a pirate I do love a good cannon This door is known as the door of betrayal so as well as main door to the castle which obviously faces the citadel there would be a door on the opposite side that most people didn’t know about it was smaller doors and

Through this they could sneak people out to perform raids or they could bring reinforcements in that nobody knew about also Trust Sandra to get all excited about the back doors and the rear entrance. So that was well worth the money it was only just over two euros

Each and Bonny was free the only downside was they didn’t have any cannons but definitely worth the money and well worth a visit. we’re now gonna head to our next park up this is gonna be really quirky the thing is in Portugal you can’t just wild camp

There’s lots of free aires and there’s aires around six euros a night but this one lots of van lifers said Heidi while you’re in Portugal you’ve got to go and stay at Mikki’s place so that’s where we’re heading and we’ve got to stay in this area

Anyway for the next couple of days because Bonny’s booked in to get her pet passport so she’ll be a fully fledged world explorer when she’s got that. Won’t you Bons? This is tighter than a nuns chuff! I hope there’s nothing’s coming the other way

We are here, look at this place how quirky is this? This looks amazing So after speaking with lots of different people, we were recommended to come to this amazing little campsite and it’s like nothing either of us have been there before. It’s called Mikki’s place and it’s proper quirky with

All the things that it’s got to offer. It’s just a completely bohemian campsite is how I describe it, but very quite large, loads of very quirky vans and amazing bar and lounge areas and beautiful sangria. This is the white sangria we are on today.

It even has a pool area but neither of us has been brave enough because we don’t think it’s heated. Yeah and even though it does go like quite warm it’s about 16C today’s it? Yeah, it does go sort of cold when you go to shade like it’s when the clouds come over now.

I’ve got nips like bullets But there’s other things here as well so all of them people we’ve met, there’s a variety of your proper posh motorhomers with all the posh like you know ones but then there’s also very different such as we’ve seen a fire engine, there’s like a bus, a half a

Double deck of bus they’ve converted the top deck to something else, probably a sitting out area. Yeah there’s this proper little quirky vans very old vans as well so normally when we go somewhere me and Sandra’s vans are the oldest roughest looking in the corner But here we fit in well.

Yeah we fit in and everyone’s so friendly and there’s a very big mix of people there’s a few British we’ve met a couple of British people but yeah. Not different nationalities as well which is really nice. Yeah it’s wonderful but the other best thing that we

Love about it besides it’s got a pool and things is it has some animals. So what were they? There was chickens and very friendly tame pigs, two big pigs, llama, goats, sheep, yeah I loved the pigs So cute and bonny was so good with them all

She was really well behaved around them. Yeah and got nice garden areas I think they’re very eco-conscious here and got a composting areas and I think the lady at runs campsite does ceramics because there’s very unusual like ceramics around everywhere. So if you’re looking for some where to camp in Portugal

That’s a little bit different and a bit quirky Then you’ve got to come to Mikki’s place and it was 20 euros at night including electric as well. yeah because we don’t normally need the electric and that but we thought while we are here we might as

Well and that works out to about what 16 17 pounds yeah yeah but it’s just proper quirky and we’ve got mooring er parking – parking right next to the pool so I look out my windscreen I can see the pool yeah wonderful. So it just started raining so I’ve come inside to

Have myself a little nightcap so just whilst I’m pouring this I’m massive thank you to all those that bought me a coffee this week that really helps thank you so much. Oh let’s give this a try. Barcelona, Ron Dominicana. so is this gonna match up to a dead

Man’s fingers or a Kraken Rum? let’s see I mean I know it is in a plastic glass but let’s give it a go so cheers everyone. It needs a mixer it just tastes like a normal dark rum but it definitely needs a mixer that one I mean I can feel the warmth

Which is a bit alike but yeah well leave it there on that one but yeah this week it’s been so lovely I got to spend time with my friend Linny who i’ve not seen for ages so that was really good and it although Sandra went away for about four

Days she’s back and it was so lovely to have her back now but we’ve got to crack on we’ve only got a couple of weeks left and we need to try and see as much as we can whilst we’re airing Portugal and then we’re just gonna be making

That journey up north and I think we’re gonna just thrash it we’re just gonna be doing long days to try and get back to our narrowboats yeah but anyway thanks for watching everybody and sticking with us on this trip. I know loads you started following me for

The boating but it’s so nice of all the new subscribers with the Van Life and also those that stuck with me so thanks so much for that but I’ll be back home soon so if you have enjoyed this video please do give it a thumbs up subscribe down

Below if you haven’t already want to watch more this sort of stuff but anyway that’s it so please take care stay safe and a massive huge shout out to my lovely gorgeous patrons as it guys stay safe take care

It’s much harder to wild camp in Portugal due to fines and the threat of being moved on, so because my travel buddy Sandra has to pop back to Ireland for a few days we decided it would be easier and safer to stay on a campsite for a few days.
During this down time I met up with another fellow Van lifer and Veteran Linny who spends most of her time on road to explore the area of Tavira and the Rio Formosa in search of the famous Portuguese Tart.
Once my travel buddy returned we set off in our camper vans to explore the ancient capital of Silves and find ourselves at another quirky little campsite called Mikkis Place which was very bohemian and another place to rest up before heading Northwards on our home journey back to the UK
———–
Lots of you have been asking about my Bluetti power bank, so here is the link to all the technical info https://bit.ly/49EC4t4 and Bluetti is having a Spring Sale, if you are interested!
Official link: https://bit.ly/4c4tvtS
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/4c0wcfU
————
Winters in the UK can be miserable especially when living on a boat and with all the canal lock closures for maintenance, I began to feel a little trapped. So for the next 2 months I decided to join up with another fellow solo female traveller and set off across Europe in our two very old camper vans in search of sunshine and to experience Van life at it’s best.
I hope you enjoy something a little different as I swap boat life for van life.
————
Thank you so much for watching. If you are new here, I’m Heidi and I live aboard my Narrowboat The Rum Wench and travel the UK’s Canals in search of Adventure. After selling my house to experience an alternative lifestyle I bought a canal boat and a camper van which as a solo female who loves to travel, gives me the best of both worlds. I have recently got myself a new addition to the crew, a fabulous companion – my little rescue dog Bonny who is an absolute joy and the perfect First Mate. I also work full time off grid from my tiny home and trade at canal festivals as The Narrowboat Pirate aboard The Pirate Boat.
————
If you want to know more about LIVING ON A BOAT, CANAL RULES or WHAT I DID BEFORE BOAT LIFE then please watch these two videos:


———–
For more info such as Filming Equipment, FAQ and more: 🏴‍☠️ https://thepirateboat.co.uk 🏴‍☠️
————-
You can also follow my adventures as the Narrowboat Pirate aboard The Pirate Boat here:
🟦 Facebook – https://facebook.com/thepirateboatUK
🟥 Instagram – https://instagram.com/thepirateboatUK
⬛️ Website – https://thepirateboat.co.uk
————-
🥃 If you would like to buy me a Rum you can do here :
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thepirateboat/
————-
🅿️ Alternative way to buy a virtual Rum via Paypal :
https://PayPal.me/TheNarrowboatPirate/
————-
❤️ Become a Patreon and long term supporter on the channel: The Narrowboat Pirate
https://www.patreon.com/TheNarrowboatPirate
————-
Music
Get a Free 7 Day Trial of Epidemic Sound Here https://share.epidemicsound.com/d1a8w6
Music used in this video
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/MrGekSWXjW/
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/61iWBuP155/
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/54YHCl0kiK/
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/SWAOvV8uZU/
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/itpqy7fxcx/
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/JtKZqTUmL5/
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/5OQHIPVxCW/

#vanlife #solofemaletravel #offgrid #tinyhouse #travelvlog #travelvlogger #vanlife #offgrid #offgridliving #vanlifers #tinyhomeonwheels #womenwhoexplore