We are well stuck up river here.... but why not, as Ron said "when you find paradise why move?"
The Guadiana is a vast river which forms the border between Portugal and Spain for a large part of its route. The main river is 73Kms long with over 30 dams along its route on both the Portuguese and Spanish side. The Alqueva dam at 250 square Km is actually the largest in Europe!
Cruising up the river is a complete joy. Malibu managed about 24 Miles inland and then we dinghied even further. A naturalists dream shared with only a few yachts, a couple of small fishing boats, a few small holdings, a couple of tiny settlements and the beautiful villages of Alcoutim on the Portuguese side, and Sanlucar in Spain opposite.
The picture above is a view North from the castle in Alcoutim looking upriver. Malibu is anchored before the bend. On the other side is the Spanish town of Sanlucar with its own castle high above.
One of the problems with escaping the river is the fantastic hospitality shown at these villages. They provide pontoons with water, electricity, toilets and showers at very reasonable rates - e10 day for our boat. However the real joy is that it easy to anchor, free all over the river.
The library in Alcoutim also has air con and free wi-fi/ac power for the computer -luxury! We just about got locked in last night at 5.30. Whilst apologising the librarian explained we were still welcome to work on the steps or the bench opposite!
There are a few peculiarities being between two countries. As you go round every bend the mobile texts to advise you are now in Spain/Portugal and changes the time on your phone. If you dinghy ashore (max 50metres) to Spain it is an hour ahead of Portugal!
There are quite a few cruisers that have got stuck in the glue, mainly British, a really nice bunch. There are also a number that have settled ashore in small holdings. Typically the conversation goes; "I was heading for Greece/Caribbean and stopped here for a couple of weeks.... five years ago!"
We have been well warned about the "Guadiana glue" and have resolved to miss the next festival in Alcoutim on 17th/18th May. We have after all already attended three separate Fiestas in a just over a week....but with beautiful settled weather (touching 30C each day) and a cheap easy atmosphere it is very tempting!
P.S. We just bumped into the Portuguese girl who works in the municipal office who we met at the Romeria a few days before, she insisted on accompanying us to the library for an English translation of the festival event brochure!