Pallet boy and the sand rescue

It may sound completely daft, but I feel like I've had a moment today. A moment of realisation or a moment of it all "feeling right". Now bear with me whilst I mumble on about this moment, I shall try to keep it coherent!

Today has by no means been the best day. We have travelled some distance whilst the sun beat down. After getting soaked to the skin twice in as many days, this was not what we wanted! We went shopping, quite a regular shop with nothing adventurous, and we put fuel in the van. Lisbon was far behind us as we approached Sines, a little sort of 'sticky out' peninsula 90 miles south of Lisbon. We stopped on a cliff top for lunch, and as we ate, the sea below us crashed into the rocks with a white fervour displacing such a radiant blue sea. Happiness set in then. Not sure whether it was the sea, the situation, the family, the realisation of what we are doing or a combination of all, but this moment is not to be forgotten.

This was interrupted as we noticed a car that had parked just over from us but was completely stuck in the sand. I donned the red cape and went to help. It seemed quite a multinational affair of Portuguese, French, Spanish, possibly Polish, and now English pushing this car out. It was well and truly wedged. However the universal language of mime kicked in as we all gestured to the driver to turn the wheel to aid the process. (I am on the right!)

This picture highlights the bizarre landscape we found ourselves in. Beautiful coastline with heavy industry and oil refineries all around.

In addition, we raided the ground as sadly there was an awful lot of rubbish around (washed up plastic bottles, juice cartons, bottle lids) so we squashed bottles and placed them under the front wheels for some traction. Bingo. The bottles and a big push, and out the vehicle popped. Job done, we proceeded on our way.

We then found a lovely beach and decided to stop. Swim costumes went on and in we all went. The waves and undercurrents were strong, but they were lots of fun. Then after that, the creative mindset of Jasper and Maya kicked in. For about an hour and a half, Jasper went off finding rope, sticks and anything else he could....including a pallet. And so he worked to set the pallet to sail. Ropes were pulled, rocks were pushed and eventually he worked out a system of using the water and pulling, I.e when the tide came in, he pulled. It was fascinating to watch, and he was completely engrossed. After the success of it floating and moving away, he set about rescuing it and bringing it back. Only an open blister from the rope caused him to stop. Jasper and his pallet was fantastic to watch.

Meanwhile, Maya also was being resourceful. She had also found some rope and had lassoed it around a rock which became her 'dog'.

The rock was then dragged around whilst she sang to it, danced to it and then generally introduced it to all the other 'dogs' on the beach. I'm not sure what I learnt with all of this, nor what the children learnt, but it was a moment of pure joy. 

And to end the day off, as is my pleasure, we have found a lovely spot to free camp again, right by the sea. The sun set beautifully again, photos will follow. 

My conclusion then. I know we are lucky, I know this whole venture is a real opportunity, but today I felt really grateful for it. I've spent a lot of time with my family, and that is magic.

Everyone needs to do this with their families.

Ed

Ps. Please remind me of this day when we are wet, cold, frozen, stuck inside, trying to get water systems working during the winter aspect of our journey!