Figueira beach
I’m back in the business of lifting spirits this morning. My own as well as yours, I hope. It’s what Christine would have wanted, isn’t it? She loved beaches, too.
Do you remember that I took a walk at Barragem de Bravura, forgetting to take water with me? Stupid, I know! Back in the car, the plan was to head for the village of Figueira, just 15 minutes away. The attraction was a short walk to an unfamiliar beach. I can never resist checking out a ‘new’ one.
The village was very small. Not wanting to walk too far, when my husband spotted the ‘praia’ sign he turned into the narrow lane that led to the beach. I couldn’t fault the logic. If only there might be the tiniest of beach bars! But I had that sinking feeling as we left the car, far from the village, to follow a winding trail.
Will there be a beach bar? I don’t think so!
But there were some interesting looking ruins up on the top
And some beautiful rock formations
And a man, fishing from the rocks
And water, everywhere!
But you know very well that there wasn’t a beach bar, don’t you? It just wasn’t that kind of beach. It was undeniably beautiful though, and I had remembered towels! Michael slumped down against the rocks and closed his eyes. Are you feeling sorry for him, yet?
I raced off to paddle. Blissful, cool water between my toes!
Then I explored all those interesting rock formations
Sculpted by the sea
And dramatic in their beauty
Looking back across the beach
And up at the cliffs
This is definitely my kind of beach!
Yes, I did eventually run out of steam, and slump down beside Michael. But not for too long. The need for water was becoming more urgent. Reluctantly we turned our back on the beach.
You’ll be happy to know that at our next stop, we did find liquid refreshment. But that’s a story for next Monday’s walk.
It’s July 4th and American Independence Day today, so some of you might be going to the beach. Have a great time, won’t you, but please don’t forget the water!
restlessjo 
Thank you lovely , kind Jo. Mission complete. I am going to the North Sea I hope soon!
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What a fabulous beach Jo!! Those rock formations are stunning!
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It’s one of the loveliest I’ve found, Madhu, and I’ve found a few! 🙂
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Wow! Is there a picture of you somewhere in your element? Beautifully taken, Jo. What a place! (I hope they won’t build a bar on top 😉 )
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No chance of a bar, Paula. 🙂 The access is too difficult. It’s a ‘bring your own’ place, and you know I can’t even remember the water!
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😀 ever since that near fall of yours I get worried when I see rocks in your pictures…
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🙂
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It looks like a beautiful beach day, and what a lovely secluded spot! Even if you didn’t find the kind of refreshment you were looking for, at least you got some refreshment paddling about in the water! Can’t wait to see your Monday walk! xxx
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It’s half done 🙂 I’ve got one eye on the Wimbledon final but it’s no fun without Rafa. I’ve gotten into Tour de France this last day or so but purely because it’s based in Yorkshire this year (I know- how weird is that?)
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Oh boy, the Tour de France. Sorry about Rafa, Jo. I know life just isn’t the same without him in your court!
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Love the beach. Beautiful and so peaceful. A perfect place to relax, reflect, remember people we care about no longer with us. Thanks for sharing this little piece of paradise. Have a blessed day to you & your family.
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Thanks, Mr. B. 🙂 Thinking of you and yours.
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Beautiful scenes Jo – I can’t go to the beach, but I can feel the breeze and smell the salt water. Thank you ~
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It was a lovely discovery, Mary. So glad you enjoyed the sea breezes too. 🙂
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“Water, water everywhere!” I’m prepared to bet you didn’t only drink water at the bar.
What a lovely beach you found and what a great portrait of it. I’m still finding beaches within 50 km of home after 40 years: my failure? Or nature’s profligacy? You’ve given me a mission when I return home – an extended beach crawl up and down the coast. I doubt I’ll find many ruins, though – or submerge myself in the sea.
On the subject of July 4th. My daughter is teaching English to a group from Belarus. One of the other teachers, an American, gave her class a quiz, including a question about Old Glory. She asked them if they had a nickname for their flag. They did: the sun over the swamp!
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I must look at the Belarus flag! It paints a great picture, Meg 🙂
Ooh, an Aussie beach crawl- I’ll look forward to that! How much longer are you in Warsaw?
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Till August 10th. Thank you for hugs and concern. May I reciprocate?
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Absolutely 🙂
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Hi Jo,
This is a beautiful series of photos. But between the salt and the sun, you dry out pretty quickly and need to go wet the whistle! Thanks for taking us out to the beach!
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Hi Naomi 🙂 Lesson learnt! I don’t think I’ll ever be allowed over the doorstep without a bottle of water from now on. (and it’s pouring down today 🙂 )
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HUGS Jo
Gorgeous walk along the beach with you.
Hurricane passing off our coast if rain stops I will search for treasures of all kinds tomorrow 🙂
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We had a ‘girls night’ last night and one of my friends was showing us her video of a Florida holiday with a hurricane on her doorstep. The rain was unbelievable! Raining here in the UK this morning, but ‘gentle’ rain 🙂 Hugs, Eunice!
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Sun will be out soon for a day and a half then more to fall but the squash, cukes, string beans and potatoes are looking great not sure the tomatoes like being so wet after a 2 week period of 80 to 90 F weather though we did lol HUGS
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I would walk for days to find a beach bar, Jo 😉 I love the way the ocean sculptures those rocks, it’s an awesome sight indeed!
May the Fourth be with you, Jo! 😀
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Ooh, the 4th, Dianne. It’s more a case of the red wine right now. I should rephrase. I didn’t mean a whole case! 🙂
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Thank goodness there was NO bar Jo. It would have ruined it. Thanks Jo…you did exactly what you set out to do…uplifted my spirits. It is so cold here…windy, rain…though do see blue sky peeking through. I hope it gets better as I had planned to take my two students from Hong Kong to the beach today.
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I forgot about your students, Jo! Is that fun? I can see you in the parka, battling along the beach 🙂
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They are lovely girls but the weather has really put a damper on things. At least the sky is blue…and we plan to go after lunch when I am hoping the wind has died down a little.
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Definitely my kind of beach too Jo, but I’m intrigued about your liquid refreshment for the next post! I love paddling too, nothing like it for hot feet! Lovely post as always, gorgeous photos. You find the best places! Hope you have a good weekend, even though Wimbledon has been such a disappointment….back to normal next week, or whatever normal is 😉
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It was a day and a half, Sherri! You have to feel sorry for my husband by the end of it 🙂 He did!
I’d like Fed to win one more- partly to keep Novak at bay, but let’s face it, he’s earned another? Michael keeps saying he has 4 to feed now- got to work harder 🙂
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Perfection!
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That’s as good a definition as any, Cindy 🙂
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