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. A superb opening photo Jo, readers can’t help but be dragged into your post. Love that sky throughout the series and what a delightful area, another Memorable Monday walk. You take care now, Sir Galahad might not be there next time 🙂 Come on Rafa !!

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    1. It’s a shame the Algarve weather wasn’t kinder to you, David. I’m pretty sure you would have loved the place with just a bit more heat.
      Thanks a lot for your continued support. I’ll have to reschedule my week around Wimbledon 🙂

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  6. Oh Jo – congrats on the 400th post – woo hop. and thanks for linking my walk with the others. I look forward to checking them out.

    and for yours here – well thanks for sharing the fall. I am so glad you were caught – whewwwww.

    and there was so much I liked about this walk – but I will share my favorite thing – and that was the flow of the photos. There was almost a color coordinating feel to the entire series of pics – and you showed the artsy way the photographers use photos to tell a story and share life.

    and here you have a cool color palette – with your hues of blues and greens throughout the hand selected shots of this gorgeous place.

    and then every few pictures has the splash of warm colors – like the filed of flowers with pink – the close up with the delicious yellow of the cacti – the splash of purple from columbine – and even the hint of red from the landed boat came at just the right time –
    seriously – not sure if you spent all this time coordinating the placement – but the artist side of me enjoyed the scroll as it was like a mini art show with a planned palette –

    and okay, I will share a tad bit more – I always like the little personal details – like how you stayed respectfully cal for the funeral or your take on the art – the little pieces of you that you put in…
    many hugs ❤

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    1. Thanks for your thoughtful input, Yvette. I do spend a long time putting my posts together and trying to produce a cohesive whole both visually and in words. Probably much longer than I should, which is why I tend to only post 3 times a week these days. I’m really glad you enjoy the results and that you take the time to join in, and to express your appreciation.

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    1. You’re quick, Amy! Thanks so much 🙂 We’ve just had tea and washed up so I’m just settling in to my replies. I’ll put the kettle on and enjoy my walk over a cup of coffee. 🙂

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  9. Pingback: Jo’s Monday Walk: Ronda Countryside | The World Is a Book...

  10. Beautiful walk Jo! I think your Columbines might actually be Morning Glories – and they’re gorgeous either way. I also really like the art installation – quite delicate in it’s creation. My daughter says ‘my mother can fall over nothing’ so I completely understand. I often have a camera and lens in hand – and do a remarkable job of saving it, letting knees and elbows take the brunt of the fall. Haven’t lost a lens yet LOL.

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    1. You’re right! I meant to say Convolvulus, but it’s such an ugly word! I’d forgotten ‘Morning Glory’, but that’s much nicer. 🙂 My husband pointed the error out after I’d published and I’ve been out (walking, of course) most of the day so haven’t had time to change it. Well spotted! I was expecting Jude to correct me when she’s finished watching Wimbledon 🙂
      Fortunately my camera was in my shorts pocket or it’d have been in the water, I’m afraid.

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      1. I read that! 😀
        Slow day today – reading in the sun this morning, Wimbledon this afternoon, catching up on blogs this evening AND trying to write two posts! Not succeeded well with the latter!

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  13. Well Jo, I can see why you keep going back to the Algarve, it is so beautiful and I feel really relaxed after taking this delightful walk with you. Although that is probably because of the large drink we just had to steady our nerves after your fall! Boy of boy, thank goodness you had your two knights in shining armour to help you , that would have been very nasty indeed. Thank you so much for featuring my (late-night-in-Somerset) walk! I’m looking forward to checking out the others too. Now take care of yourself and hope that wrenched shoulder isn’t playing you up… 😉

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    1. I think my Wimbledon days are over, Sherri! I’ll just be watching from now on 🙂 Truth be told I was never good at any sports. They don’t give prizes for falling over, do they? I’d do well at that!
      Thank you for sharing your walk with me. It’s a real privilege to be able to feature them like this.

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    1. I really was very lucky, Gilly! It was quite a drop to the water. The shoulder’s still a little sore, but that’s an ‘old bones’ thing 🙂 It was still a good walk, though.

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  15. This is a lovely walk – i’ve not been on a beach where cactus grows! So sorry about your scary mishap (that would be me taking a tumble as well) but glad you were rescued before too much damage. Thanks for sharing your stroll.

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    1. I got the camera a new battery and it’s been ok, Meg. (Mick suggested a snorkel and flippers but I gave him a scathing look) The shoulder got a good wrenching, but I really was lucky because there was quite a drop to the water. One less fall to have! Thank you 🙂

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  17. Such a lovely walk, Jo. How wonderful to have gallant men come to your rescue. You must have felt like a ‘damsel in distress’. I love the cactus flowers. They look just like roses. The blue and white shack definitely deserved a pic. I think I would prefer to climb up those steps, rather than down, but that’s just me. 🙂 I decided to join your merry band of walkers this week. Here’s mine: http://anotherday2paradise.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/jos-monday-walk-challenge-up-the-hill-and-back-along-the-beach-front/

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    1. Bless you, Ad- that’s fabulous! Thank you so much 🙂 I’m excited to read it!
      I’d have been a bag of broken bones if not for the menfolk, Ad. It was quite a drop to the water, but I was lucky that time. I know what you mean about the steps. Knees don’t always like downward movements, but the best views are definitely at the top 🙂

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  18. Pingback: Jo’s Monday Walk Challenge: Up the hill, and back along the beach front. | anotherdayinparadise

  20. Oh my what a time – sounds like something I would have done. So glad that you didn’t get seriously hurt – have a feeling you’ll always remember this trip. I’m in love with your scenes, such a beautiful place to visit and walk about.

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