Thieves

[laserblazer]

IMHO a LHD hire car is safer than driving a RHD. You are in a position to see what's coming the other way and changing gear with the wrong hand is a constant reminder that you also need to drive on the wrong side of the road. My biggest problem is parallel parking which I find strange on a LHD car.

[blue]

Have you got lost LB?

[maddi]

I found it quite challenging reversing for about 250 metres along a single track windy road with houses onto the street both sides having met a bin lorry coming the other way - I immediately started by looking over the wrong shoulder!! I guess I should be pleased on some level that my instincts are bang for what I drive 95% of the time

[laserblazer]

We have gone off topic slightly but Misty started it I don't think I have got lost in Portugal but I did miss the Lagoa turning coming out last week and had to drive on to Portimao.

[White Rabbit 2]

Misty that has got to be the best advice always , unfortunately when ever the flip flops get packed the common sense is left behind , and we all do it. Its natural to be relaxed on Holiday , but you should use the same common sense and vigilence as at home ( sorry spelling terrible )
We are at the moment lucky here , and should appreciate that , but still be prepared.

[tbbr]

I was always told that in hilly areas the traffic travelling down hill gave way to that moving uphill.

NOT in Portugal, cars driving down to Benagil just keep coming ingnore
spaces they can pull into forcing we uphillers to reverse until we can find somewhere to pull in.

OK some are big Portuguese driven mercs etc but there are just as many RHD 4WD,s and obviously tourist driven hire cars who are the culprits.

[maddi]

I was always told that in hilly areas the traffic travelling down hill gave way to that moving uphill.

NOT in Portugal, cars driving down to Benagil just keep coming ingnore
spaces they can pull into forcing we uphillers to reverse until we can find somewhere to pull in.

OK some are big Portuguese driven mercs etc but there are just as many RHD 4WD,s and obviously tourist driven hire cars who are the culprits.

I tried to get a definitive answer on this the other day and struggled, will try again now. I was always told the opposite. Dating back to horse and carriage days, that it was was easier for a horse and carriage to stop going up the hill and wait for for the those coming down, than it was for horses with a carriage behind to stop coming down the hill.

I shall have to do some research as I was at work when the question came up and when I tried to look it up, many of the websites were filtered out.



edit: I think I am wrong though. I live near a very steep, windy hill, and the cars coming up always drop back, as the road is too steep to get enough revs up to reverse when coming down - but that is local custom and practice rather than the law.

[tbbr]

My views came from cosch drivers who took groups to the alps skiing, it was always much easier for the downhillers to get going again than it is for the uphillers.

Try starting your car on ice uphill to see what they meant.

Mind you on the Benagil hil I think that all it means is I have a bigger car than you get out of my way.

[maddi]

Hi tbbr

I do think I m actually in the wrong in the general rule and the ones coming down the hill should stop. However I grew up on one big steep hill and now lie close to another and in both cases the cars at the bottom always gives way, dropping back down the hill as it is virtually impossible for the cars coming down to hold on their handbrakes and get up enough revs to reverse up the hills.

Perhaps this is due to the severity of the hills rather than any road rules.

The Highway Code seems to suggest that common sense should prevail.

So I suggest that everyone picks a quiet day off season, and see how easy it is to reverse up from Benegil rather than dropping down and then you will know what you need to do in your car in future!!

Maddi

[Thunderbolt]

It's not easy believe me. It's in fact one of the most terrifying things to do. I hate that road. I get to the top of it, glance at the other side praying there will be no other cars, race to the bottom by the beach, take a deep breath, and charge up the hill going on the assumption that if I don't stop, the other car WILL have to get out of the way.

Then I found another way to get to Praia da Marinha and life was good again lol

[Farol]

The following is from the English version of the Portuguese Road Code:

SUBSECTION III

VEHICLE´S CROSSING

ARTICLE 33

1. If vehicles crossing in opposite directions is not possible, you must follow up what is prescribed below:
a) When the road is partially obstructed, you must give way to the vehicle that needs to use the left part of the road in order to avoid an obstacle.
b) When the lane is too narrow or obstructed in both sides, you must give way to the vehicle that comes after to the stretch and in case you are driving in a steep slope, the driver who goes downhill must give passage to the other vehicle.

2.In case of reversing, the driver who is closer to the place where the crossing is likely to happen must move backwards or if the distances are the same, drivers must follow up this scheme:
a. Light vehicles must allow heavy vehicles to pass first
b. Heavy goods vehicles must allow coaches to pass first
c. Any vehicle must allow any articulated vehicles to go first
d. When both vehicles belong the same classes, the ones that go upwards has priority unless it is obviously easier for the vehicle’s driver that goes downwards to maneuver.

3. Anyone who disrespects what is prescribed in the previous numbers must pay a fine that ranges from 60 to 300 euros.

So now you have no excuse!

[suziebear]

I had my handbag stolen in October, with everything in - including my work keys and filofax plus loads of personal stuff and cards purse, phone etfc. THIS INCIDENTALLY WAS IN THE UK. I was unloading shopping, threw my bag onto my own staircase inside my house and whilst I was putting the shopping into my kitchen the swine came in and took my bag. He was so quick, I didnt even see him!! How do Iknow it was a he - coz when I rang my phone he answered the damn thing - how rude!! And he made 13 calls before Tmobile cut stop it. Then, the week after two 6/7 year olds came into the pub we run to sell me back my driving license for 2 bags of crisps and a coke!! They had found it in a stream not far away from us -you have to laugh or you'd cry - I even told them if they went back and found anything else, I would reward them - never saw them again!!

Also, I often walk around my local tesco and staff there are constantly telling people to keep their bags on them and not leave them in trolleys, coz theyve had number of incidents recently, so it certainly isnt just in Intermarche!

Unfortunately, obvious looking tourists are easy targets for opportunists of whatever nationality in whichever country. I've been mugged in Barcelona and New York and I thought I was being extra careful. f they want something theyll get it whichever and whatever way they can. Its just so damned annoying and time consuming - Im still trying to fill in the missing bits in my work diary and you cant replace the personal pieces that disappear. My advice? Dont take anything with you that is of personal sentimental value to you - you never know when or where they will strike!