The tidal mill at Quinta de Marim
This is the perfect Algarve walk when it’s too nice to be indoors, but not warm enough to sit on a beach. Doesn’t that boardwalk call to you? It does to me.
Quinta de Marim is part of the Ria Formosa nature reserve. A 3 km trail leads through the pines and around the salt marshes, taking in the lovely old tidal mill en route. The main purpose of the reserve is conservation and education. The best option is to buy a map for a couple of euros and go at your own pace, but a guided tour is also available for advanced bookings.
No putting out to sea in this, I don’t think!
In the distance you can see the island of Armona
But for me, the tidal mill is the highlight of the reserve
It sits proudly on the water
Looking out to sea
The views from the roof are captivating
Sky and sea blend into one
In a bird watcher’s paradise
A place where the spirit soars
I had never come across the concept of a tidal mill before and so was pleased that, inside the mill, display boards explain how it works.
Light floods in, illuminating the mill stones
The ebb and flow of tide is what makes the mill work
I had never seen anything quite like it before
In season I believe the mill operates a small cafe, but it was closed when I was there. The rest of the reserve incorporates salinas (or salt pans), a traditional farmhouse, a bird hospital and several hides for birdwatching. Traditionally Portuguese water poodles were kept here- a special breed with webbed toes, once used in the fishing process. These days they are most often seen in public demonstrations.
A Portuguese water poodle in action
The reserve is close to Olhao Camping, and is signed off the E125 just before you reach Olhao, if you’re approaching from the east.
restlessjo 
Calling to me? Why yes! And I think I want one of the Portuguese water dogs. Rocky would love that! NOT!
Fantabulous photos, Jo!
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Don’t you think huskies would be better with the weather you folks are having? It looks surreal, Gem! I would have gone into deep hibernation 😦
And thank you! 🙂
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Hah! You’re probably right about the Huskies.
The weather has gone insane. My son down in Georgia was looking at 70 degrees yesterday, and at the same time they were closing the schools because the ice and snow were on their way for today! CRAZY!
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A refreshing sight to behold, Jo, especially after this challenging winter. I do like the change of seasons, even more so now….change to spring, please!
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I was just watching the preparations for Superbowl on TV, Elisa. Minus what, they’re predicting???? I’d have to be a squirrel and go hide with my nuts 🙂
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Portuguese water poodles – with webbed toes? Seriously! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Thank you! 🙂
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It’s seriously true, Suze! 🙂 Google it. But I knew you’d enjoy a smile.
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I needed a big smile today after a really stressy day at work – how did you know 🙂
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I also love boardwalks, Jo. What a great meander you had. The mill is fascinating, and I just had to look up “Portuguese Water Poodle.” How amazing to have dogs herding fish and retrieving broken nets and lost fishing tackle! I’m most impressed. 🙂
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Currently they’re just adorable shaggy dogs, Ad, but they have some incredible ancestors! 🙂
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You’re so right about them being adorable. 🙂
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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! One of our rescue pups has a touch (so says our vet – we can’t be sure) of Spanish Water Dog in him…mind you, he doesn’t like going for walks in the rain and stays well away from the sea when we go on the beach, so I don’t think he’d be much use for catching our supper!
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We went to a demonstration in Lagos and there were several reluctant pups, Tanya, so he’s not alone. They’re very cute though. One guy was motoring around on his Harley Davison with a Water Poodle perched up front 🙂
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I love boardwalks! I wish this weather would dry up for a bit as it is too wet to go for a walk around here, the ground is so saturated and soggy.
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It hasn’t been too bad up here, but I really didn’t feel like it this morning. Grey skies and cold 😦
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Lovely, peaceful mood to this, Jo. I’m like you at present, staying in the warm and photo-reminiscing… 🙂
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It’s as good a way as any to get through the rest of Winter, Sue. That and planning more mischief for later in the year 🙂
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Mischief? Do tell me what you’re on, I’ll have some… 😉
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It may well be wishful thinking 🙂
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Be positive…
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Jo I definitely want to walk right through my screen on to the boardwalk. The light flooding in on the millstones is remarkable!
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I discovered this place from the Rough Guide, more than 10 years ago, Sue. It’s a while since I’d been back, but being up on that roof with the world laid out before me was just magical. 🙂
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Those moments in travel take our breath away. No photo can ever do justice to the feeling. Love it!
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Would love to walk on that boardwalk right now, instead of this grey, cold, windy Ireland!
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I know what you mean, Joan. It’s not much better in north east England where I am currently. The posts are happy memories now. 🙂
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Using the ebb and flow of the tide for the mill is fascinating, I’ve only ever seen mills on rivers – may have something to do with being in the land locked midlands though.
I bet the water dog demonstrations are interesting to watch.
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I did a post about the water dogs somewhere, Vicky, but so organised is this blog, I couldn’t find it to put a link in 😦 The overhaul is ongoing 🙂 Did you notice I’ve used borders? I tried adding some header photos but wasn’t happy with the overall look.
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Yes, I did notice the borders 🙂 I do think they help the images stand out from the page more.
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Everytime I come here…I think my sighs get louder. LOL…you always can find the most intimate places for the spirit to refresh.
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I’m sighing pretty loudly while writing the posts, Laurie. Today in the Algarve the birds will be tweeting, the blossom, blossoming… you know how it goes. But in my little north eastern corner it’s still Winter. Make you feel any better? 🙂
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That is such a beautiful and peaceful place. Thank you for taking us there. “A place where the spirit soars” is a remarkable capture! I also like the first and second photos. The mill work is so very interesting. Great post, Jo!
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Thanks a lot, Amy 🙂 The “spirit” shot is my favourite. I was at peace with the world up on that rooftop.
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I could spend hours on that boardwalk, Jo. Thank you for such a relaxing post this Monday morning.
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I think Monday must be “walk day” on the blog, Jill. 🙂 I should have been out walking in reality but it was so cold and uninviting. I keep telling myself “Spring!”
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Love ours here to leading to and from the sea.
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I love the sound of my shoes on them, Eunice (though I’m usually in flipflops 🙂 )
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and me barefoot 🙂
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Portuguese water poodles??? Yer learn summit new every day…
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Yer do! I’ve featured them before in more detail, and tried to find the post to link to it. Couldn’t find it! Suggests the blog needs more work 🙂
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A search box!
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There is one in the header but I think it only responds to “tags”. And I thought I was quite good at tagging. Apparently not! 😦
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Wow, what a wonderful gallery – that sky …. the clearness in your day. You know I enjoy our walks together. Beautiful spot … my favorite shots are the ones from the roof top. Very creative and beautiful.
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I loved being up on that roof, Vivi. The whole world at my feet 🙂
I’ve been playing again this morning. Tried putting a photo in the header but didn’t like it so much as the plain look. I should have been out walking but it was cold and grey. I’d rather stay here, with you 🙂 Hugs!
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I can see from your photos that you enjoyed being up there.
Amazing gallery.
Over here the winter is falling gently over us .. since yesterday, still not that cold – but no sun neither. Today I have tried to catch up with what I have missed in this world during the world – now it’s time to go under the duvet.
A big Night hug … from me in the middle of the winter.
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Sleep well 🙂
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Yeah calls for a walk – very well captured… 🙂
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You’re most welcome to come along, Drake. I bet you’d be good company 🙂
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One of my favourite camp sites ever. Well, apart from the permanent resident mosquitos courtesy of the water.
Back when we went it wasn’t open to the public. We tried to sneak through and were turned away 😦 Still beautiful though, one of my favourite places. I love Olhao. Can’t pass without sneaking a night there. And lovely bolos at the railway station. Oh, and the little man in uniform with a flag to wave of the train. Is he still there?
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That is a bonus to January, Rough- no mozzies! 🙂 I’ve only ever passed through Olhao railway station once and I don’t remember a guy with a flag. I’ll say hello for you if I get back round that way.
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UNDER THE BOARDWALK!!!
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No, on it, Jasmine, but I do love the song 🙂
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I know but I’m from Iowa we don’t know much about boardwalks aside from movies and songs!
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🙂
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What a lovey boardwalk, it looks most inviting! So does the weather in Algarve, dear Jo. I wouldn’t mind the sund and warmth right now, it’s snow-raining in Norfolk today. The winter has been surprisingly mild so far though, – bloomin’ mild actually. Some of the Rhododendrons in Sheringham Park already flowering.
Have a lovely day!
Dina
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Me neither, Dina! I’m back in the UK and reminiscing 🙂
I intended to go out with my walking friends this morning but cold and grey isn’t so appealing. I stayed at home and played with my blog instead. Soon be Spring! (maybe 🙂 ) The snowdrops are out and I’ve seen winter flowering blossom lately.
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