Yes you read it right 2017! Been talking to my dad and @AndyPanda4x4, I also know it's been mentioned at previous meets/trips.

What is everyone's thought on a trip down to the South Coast of Portugal?

My dad owns some land in the hills in the national park where we could go off-roading and green laneing. There's space for camping or there is towns near by with plenty of hotels/places to stay etc.

Travel wise it should only take 2 days. First day is travel down to Plymouth/Portsmouth and get the over night ferry to Santander/Bilbao. Second day is drive down to the south coast of Portugal. The second day could be split into two if we want it to be. Giving that there isn't any proper events planned like we had in Italy it could be 3-5 days of chilling/off-roading/pandering.

What are your thought?

What's all this namby pamby ferry talk? - How can we get all our interesting breakdowns done if the cars aren't rolling overland?

Suggestion that when we get to Portugal South, set up a Pandakhana competition with a bottle of sherry for the winner. (What does Portugal produce anyway?)

But wasn't Italia 2017 (El Presidente's Summit) on the cards? - Is there a ferry through the straits of Gibraltar we can use to get across the Med... Just checked, looks like Barcelona to Genoa which isn't ideal from South Portugal. Maybe we should just charter our own vessel?

It's early stages as before, I do like John's suggestion of Portugal; but ultimately I'm game for a ride out anywhere to be honest! I think we need more suggestions of activities available around where you guys have your place out there John. I was also wondering if we could see if some of the Italians would like to come along as well..

To give you an idea, the size of the land is around 7 acres. This is a rough map of the land:



The land is on the side of the hill but the top parts are releatively flat. There are some steap parts as well.

There is plenty of green lanes around the area as its in the national park so free to go where you like on the routes that exist...

This is just a small section of the trails:




Edit:
This is the Portugese Panda 4x4 people: https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.panda4x4.net/&prev=search

Might be worth contacting them to see if they've done any down south.

Well it all sounds perfect to me. What time of the year were you thinking John? Just for the temperatures really.

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Well it all sounds perfect to me. What time of the year were you thinking John? Just for the temperatures really.

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I was thinking March/April or September/October times. This is when it is less hot and usually allowed camp fires and that as other times of the year they get banned to stop wild fires.

The temp also gets mid to late teens rather than too stupidly hot, also less tourists outside of school holidays but this may cause an issue with some people who have kids etc.

Sounding good, now if only I had a left hand drive car...

Well the landscape looks fantastic, it's very kind that you and the family have given us the opportunity. I would personally prefer later rather than earlier in the year, just to suit work holidays - bit selfish however!

How does everyone else feel about this over Italy again?

Honestly I would love to do Italy again, but wherever we are in the world it's spending time with you lot that counts for me.

Were is one from many off-road videos of our fellow colegues Pandistas
I've just contacted Agostinho for some gathering/meets details if any.

I'm game for any international trip to be honest, I wanna adventure out from the left hand side of the road to the right. Weather that will be Italy, Panda raid or anywhere else. :slayer:

I'm up for any trip anytime

Cooler temps would be very welcome especially if Lucy comes along for the ride!

Can you take dogs on ferries?

Would appreciate a slower run down too, Henry struggles to do anywhere near motor ways speeds and is happiest at 55mph even on road tyres!

Well I shouldn't have missed last years trip so I'm up for whatever gets planned for next year. Portugal sounds good, and sounds like it could be a good relaxed trip if there is no formal event to attend as such. Like Andy it's all about having a good time with everyone that is most important for me, so I don't mind where we go really!

Time of year doesn't make too much difference to me, although later in the year means there is more chance of me attending in a yellow Panda
panda panda Not sure I could cope with 55mph! Henry should zip along at 65- 70 no bother!

panda1408 said:

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panda panda Not sure I could cope with 55mph! Henry should zip along at 65- 70 no bother!

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You'll have to have him in for a look over then sometime, maybe the carbs not right?

panda panda said:

You'll have to have him in for a look over then sometime, maybe the carbs not right?

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Yes, can do, he could well be in need of a tune up, I'll need to take him for a proper drive to see what I think.

Alternatively, we could drop in something a little more powerful:....:devil:

panda1408 said:

Alternatively, we could drop in something a little more powerful:....:devil:

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Sorry to sound a bit dense - but, why wouldn't you..?:idea:

We're up for any destination, don't mind fried my but while down there.
Portugal lanes look really good.
As it goes that far in future i'might not be in position due to planned employment changes but we will see as time goes.

One day at Gibraltar Rock should be on the schedule to get some cheep booze.

Panda Panda - for cooler places i'm fancy doing the NordKapp in winter time :slayer: maybe beginning of 2018 but let focus on 2017 first.

one day, it's a low mileage engine at 60k, don't want to swap it for a 100k one which all the donors seem to be.

Some of the mountain tracks/ lanes can be found here.


http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/map.do?lt=39.050327&ln=-7.425525&z=7&k=1&tab=0&act=3