Jo’s Monday walk : “Mind that hole!”

Isn't this a view worth falling down a hole for?

Isn’t this a view worth falling down a hole for?

Well, don’t worry!  I’ve already done the falling, and you really won’t need to.  The view above is at Cacela Velha, the midway point in a beautiful walk.  Let’s proceed with caution, shall we?

It was a little cloudy and cool when we set off

It was a little cloudy and cool when we set off

Good walking weather!  We started from behind the broad beach at Manta Rota, in the Eastern Algarve, and picked our way through the madly flowering sea broom.  We were heading west, towards Cacela Velha, with plenty of distractions along the way.

Like the sandbars out in the bay

Like the sandbars, out in the bay

Like the flowering cacti- almost as plentiful as the broom!

And flowering cacti, thriving in the sandy soil

There was a bit of a scramble at one rather steep point, but the men in the group shepherded us through, and then it was easy going again.

In an open stretch we came upon a well

In an open stretch, we came upon a well

Well rusted in close up, but still with water in the bottom

Well-rusted in close up, but still with water in the bottom

The clouds were beginning to break up as we skirted the stream

The clouds were beginning to break up as we skirted the stream

At this point, we trod quite carefully.  Sandy, the walk leader, emphasized we should keep clear of the slippery rim.  Normally the stream was forded by stepping stones, but they seem to have disappeared.  It wasn’t particularly tricky, so long as you kept your eye on the path.

In any case, the village of Cacela Velha lay just ahead of us, and a coffee stop was planned.  I make no secret of the fact that this is one of my favourite Algarve places, and that neither time nor man has been able to spoil it.

Though the addition of certain art pieces is questionable

Though the addition of certain art pieces could be questioned?

You might recognise that lamp in the corner of the shot.  There are several about the village, and one made a very discreet appearance in my Lingering look at Algarve windows last week.

The view really doesn't need any enhancement, does it?

The view really doesn’t need any enhancement, does it?

Is it any wonder I like to linger here?

Is it any wonder I like to linger here?

Is it any wonder I like to linger?

And linger some more!

The church was busy with a funeral so we kept a respectful distance

The church was busy with a funeral, so we kept a respectful distance

At this point it had become quite hot, and it was wonderful to be going down the steps to walk further along the beach, in the direction of the next small village, Fabrica.   Not so charming as Cacela Velha, but you probably wouldn’t mind owning the large property erected by a builder, right on the shoreline.

The oleander are lovely this year

The oleander are lovely this year!

And the columbine are doing battle with the cacti

And the columbine are doing battle with the cacti.  Losing, I think!

There are a LOT of steps, but down is ok!

There are a LOT of steps, but down is ok!

And then you're on an unremarkable bit of beach

And then you’re on an unremarkable bit of beach

With a couple of dilapidated shacks

With a dilapidated but very picturesque shack

That's Fabrica up ahead

Up ahead lies Fabrica (and most of our walkers)

And everywhere, the boats bob!

Everywhere, boats bob in the water

Have I lulled you into a false sense of security yet?  It’s so peaceful, isn’t it?  Time to head for home.

There is only one road out of Fabrica, so we turned inland and followed it, back towards Cacela Velha.  As walkers do, we were chatting away, discovering fascinating facts about the surrounds, and about each other.  We pass a couple of horses and a donkey in a field, and turn back down to the coast.  Crossing over the bridge, we are back on our original trail.

It looks innocent enough, doesn't it?

It looks innocent enough, doesn’t it?

See that lip of soil, at the forefront of the photo?  Suddenly my feet shot off the edge and I was plummeting down, towards the stream!  Fortunately, one of the men had the presence of mind to grab for me, and then I was dangling by a hand.  As my feet scrambled for non-existent footing, another of the men grabbed my other arm and I was hauled unceremoniously out.  Bruised, shaken, and the cream shorts a bit the worse for wear!

I can’t even remember whether I took that photo before or after my fall!  It doesn’t really show the wicked little curve that I missed while I was busy talking.  My husband was far ahead but said that when he heard the shout go up, he knew immediately who’d fallen! I was very lucky because I would certainly have broken something if they hadn’t halted my fall.    As it was, I escaped with a wrenched shoulder and a few cuts and bruises.

Drama over, we continued around the bay

Drama over, we continued around the bay

The skies the clearest of blues, with just a few wispy clouds

The sky the clearest of blues, with just a few wispy clouds

I have to admit, I was happy to arrive at the restaurant, on the edge of Manta Rota, where we gathered afterwards.  I needed a steadying drink!  In the shade of the vines, with good food and company, I was able to laugh about the entertainment I had provided.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s walk.  The surroundings are lovely, aren’t they?  Both Manta Rota and Cacela Velha are signed off the E125, the Algarve’s coastal road.

I have acquired a faithful little band of walkers, and I am extremely grateful for their company. Each Monday I share the walks posted in the previous week.  Please join me and my friends if you would like to.  Let’s go visiting, shall we?

This week, Drake shares a little more of his delightful birthplace, the island of Samso, Denmark :

http://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/the-heels-of-village-people/

And you should see the lush gardens Amy found in Ronda! :

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/jos-monday-walk-a-garden-walk-in-ronda-countryside/

Speaking of gardens, are there any more beautiful than these in Cornwall?  Thank you, Jude! :

http://smallbluegreenflowers.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/garden-portrait-trebah/

It was a late night for Sherri, but she still managed to take me to Barrington Court! :

http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2014/06/20/june-in-england-glastonbury-stonehenge-and-a-country-garden/

Come to think of it, Yvette likes to be out in the dark  :

http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/a-walk-on-dock-street-and-a-dozen-doors/

Have a great walking week, everybody, but do be careful, won’t you?

I just realised, this is my 400th post.  No wonder I’m feeling tired!

 

137 comments

  1. Jo I hope your shoulder is all right. Oh the things we do to capture the right photos. Another beautiful walk. As though I was right there with you. Well happy to be on this side of the screen and not taken the nasty fall. Take care.

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    1. I bet you’ve had a bruise or two in your cycling/jogging career, Sue! It’s still a little tender but I’m so grateful they grabbed me. I’d have been in a heap at the bottom otherwise. 🙂
      You’re right- it was still a lovely walk!

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      1. Heaps at the bottom are never good. I have less scrapes that the years of my rock climbing. Thank goodness you had some rescuers. Tough to blog from the bottom of a crevasse…just saying. Be careful out there my friend. 🙂

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  2. What an enjoyable walk, lovely beach, river, and flowers! Wonderful captures of the blue sky and clouds. Thank you for the link, Jo! See you later. 🙂

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  3. i am so glad that i could tag along on this trek… you definitely earned a coffee-shop break, and then wow, did anyone give you an award for the most-artful/graceful fall? you’re so lucky that you had some fast-thinking friends, and the fact that you held on says a lot of your prowess as a trekker!!! you were surely dangling there with camera in one hand while you held tight with the other!

    glad you’re ok!

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    1. Thank you so much, Colline! What a lovely surprise 🙂 I can’t wait to read it!
      The prickly pear are very common in the Algarve. They obviously like the sandy soil. So glad you could join me, and yes, I’m fine, thanks. The shoulder is a little sore but nothing compared to what might have happened 🙂

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  6. Between the title and an earlier comment, I knew you were foreshadowing a misshap. Glad strong men were nearby to rescue you. Lovey views and I love the flowering cacti. Congrats on 400. 🙂

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    1. It was a lovely walk, Meredith 🙂 I was really lucky the guys grabbed me or I’d almost certainly have broken something. It was quite a drop to the water.

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  9. So glad you weren’t seriously hurt Jo and that you were able to continue guiding us on the walk. It was a very enjoyable walk, if only I could convert the reading to steps on my pedometer 🙂

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  10. It was nice to walk with you, Jo! Thanks for introduction to other wonderful blogs. I loved to visit Stonehenge and Barrington Court one more time!

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  12. Oh it’s not nice taking a tumble Jo 😦 glad you had a refreshing beverage to perk you up 😉
    Looks a really nice walk … sandbars ,,, always fascinate me .. I suppose only accessible at certain times . Isn’t there somewhere in UK where they play cricket on one … oops sorry mind wandering ..
    Love all the flowers and shrubs along the way . The columbine blue is SO striking isn’t it .
    I bet I know what you’re up to today at some point .. space reserved on the sofa …eyes on the ball …

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    1. You guessed, Poppy! I walked this morning and then it was too nice to be in so I had some garden time, and now I’m answering my comments with a Wimbledon backdrop. 🙂 I love the sandbars! One of the nicest features of our Algarve beaches.

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  15. I would have been distracted too, in as breathtaking a place as Cacela Velha! Glad you escaped with no injuries Jo. And congratulations on the 400!! 🙂

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    1. I’ve featured it many times, Madhu, but it still brings a smile to my face 🙂
      I really should have been looking at the path instead of chatting. My punishment was that I couldn’t hoist myself up to sit on my wall with the lovely sea views for a couple of days. Good job I’m a tennis watcher, not a player 🙂 Many thanks, hon.

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  17. So beautiful but sorry to hear about your tumble – ot nice 😦 Probably best that we never go walking together as I am always falling into holes, down slopes or into lamp posts!

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