Worth stopping for
Beaches, towns, walks and places where I was very happy to park Petal. Some were the destination. Others became the reason to stop.
This is a growing collection of our favourites, with photographs, personal notes and the useful details I’d want to know before going back.
SUNSETS
Sunset in Peniche
The Atlantic, the sun going down and Petal making sure she’s in the photograph. Some places deserve a long explanation. This one mostly deserves a moment to enjoy the view.
The spot: Cabo Carvoeiro, Peniche.
Go for: The sunset and the sea view.
Ambleteuse
A fort by the sea, a good stretch of coastline and plenty of room for a wander. Northern France making a fairly convincing case for itself.
The spot: Ambeteuse – Northern France
Go for: Dunes, nature, the fort, the sunset, mussels
Praia America
A long sandy beach and a very good place to still be when the sun goes down. There are worse ways to lose track of the time.
The spot: Praia America, Galicia Spain
Go for: The sunset, the sea view and easy parking
Seixal
A waterfront walk, somewhere to sit and a good view of Lisbon while doing very little. Quite happy here. No major announcement required.
The spot: Seixal, Portugal
Go for: Easy parking, ferry to Lisbon.
Bilbao
Dunes, forest, surf, open sea and a beach worth taking the long way along. Petal gets a break from driving. I get a break from deciding where to go.
The spot: Liencres, Spain
Go for: The forest, the beach, the surf, easy parking
Nazaré
A big beach, a proper seaside town and waves with considerably more ambition than my surfing. Very happy to watch those from dry land.
The spot: Praia de North, Nazaré
Go for: The sunset, the waves, the vibe and the sea view.
Praia de Doniños
A broad stretch of sand, Atlantic waves and room for a proper walk. One of those beaches you leave on the map for next time.
The spot: Praia de Doniños, Ferrol, Spain
Go for: The sunset, the waves, the vibe and the sea view.
Plockton
A small harbour village that became one of my favourite stops in Scotland. Lovely by the water, with enough wind to keep the midges elsewhere. Much appreciated.
The spot: Plockton, Scottish Highlands.
Go for: The harbour, the views and a slow wander.
Tapia de Casariego
I’d spent the day questioning my decisions. Then Tapia produced a sunset and I stopped for a bit. A small coastal town that did quite a lot for my mood.
The spot: Tapia de Casariego, Asturias, Spain.
Go for: The coast, an evening wander and the sunset.
Dunnet Head
Cliffs, open sea and views towards Orkney. I went back for sunset, which is probably the most useful review I can give.
The spot: Dunnet Head, northern Scotland.
Go for: The views, the cliffs, the puffins and staying until the light changes.
Achill Island
Big beaches, Atlantic views and plenty of reasons to take your time. A fairly convincing place to have very little planned.
The spot: Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland.
Go for: The beaches, coastal scenery and an unhurried day.
Glencoe
Big mountains and views that make standing around feel like a perfectly reasonable activity. I did some of that.
The spot: Glencoe and the Three Sisters, Scottish Highlands.
Go for: The mountains, the walks and a proper look around.
Ullapool
A harbour, boats and a good excuse to stop driving. I chose an evening here over another search for the perfect sunset. There is a limit to how much scenery you need to chase.
The spot: Ullapool harbour, Scottish Highlands.
Go for: The waterfront and an evening with nowhere else to be.
PETAL HAS AN OPINION
“Somehow I became an emotional support vehicle”