Figueira beach

Figuera beach

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!

Will there be a beach bar? I don’t think so!

But there were some interesting looking ruins up on the top

But there were some interesting looking ruins up on the top

And some beautiful rock formations

And some beautiful rock formations

And a man fishing from the rocks

And a man, fishing from the rocks

And water, everywhere!

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!

I had all those interesting rock formations to explore

Then I explored all those interesting rock formations

Sculpted by the sea

Sculpted by the sea

And dramatic in their beauty

And dramatic in their beauty

Looking back across the beach

Looking back across the beach

And up at the cliffs

And up at the cliffs

This is my kind of beach!

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!

 

85 comments

  1. So beautiful and peaceful, the sort of beach I’m looking for! Reminds me of the area around Carvoeiro – have you been there? It was a lovely little town, no high rise buildings then (2002) a lovely beach and some nice coastal walks along the cliffs. A beach bar would definitely have been the icing on the cake – or the G&T in the glass 😀

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’ve only been to Carvoeiro once, and though I could see the appeal, for me it was totally spoilt, Jude. Why do you think I chose Tavira? 🙂 🙂 Novak/Fed as expected, Jude! I was shouting for Dimitrov.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Good match Novak and Dimitrov, I was hoping it would go to 5 sets. Hope Novak wins on Sunday – I like his style. Who do you reckon will win the ladies match? I thought Bouchard was very lucky yesterday, and Kvitiva has the experience, but it could go either way. Hope we have a good set of finals – often they can be the least exciting matches of the tournament.

        Like

    2. Federer please, and Bouchard 🙂 Novak is amazing but I don’t want him to win. After all the effort Fed has put into getting back I think he’s earned this one. But we’ll see.
      Just back from a girls night in one of our houses so feeling a little blurred. Zumba tomorrow will sort me out 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. I miss the girls night out, the trouble with moving so often is that you lose out on the friends.

        Have a good weekend Jo 🙂

        Like

      1. I haven’t heard from him yet but hope to as I don’t have his email address and wasn’t sure about using Christine’s. How did he sound?

        Like

      2. Sorry, Gilly. Been on a ‘girl’s night’ at one of my lady friends’s homes. Just in. Will replicate message and funeral details in my 6WS tomorrow. God bless! 🙂

        Like

      1. Everyone has told me to go to Coronado so it’s now on my ‘must stop’ list of beaches. (Which I’m not sure I’m going to be able to accomplish in 10 days, but we’re going to give it a darned good try!)

        Like

  4. Beach is where you really can relax yourself. This beach is beautiful, perfect… Looking forward to walk with you next Monday. Happy weekend, Jo! Btw, I’m flying home today 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  5. The beach is always my favorite place to feel at peace…except when I’m trudging around with no water. And, what? No beach bar?
    Thanks for this wonderful post on the beach today! Hugs and xoxo to you.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It would have been awfully difficult to get crates of beer out along the trail to the beach, Angeline 🙂 Robin had the best idea- his own travelling bar 🙂 Thank you! Hugs back xx

      Like

      Reply

  6. A stunning beach walk Jo. Thank you for this lovely outing. I love beaches very much and can feel the ocean air. 🙂 Sending you and extra hug today. You are in my thoughts.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It was a glorious spot and I may go back at some point, Sue. It was about an hour 15 by car, and there are so many beaches to choose from in the Algarve. Thanks a lot, Sue. Hugs!

      Like

      Reply

  9. Oh this my perfect kind of beach Jo . Mental note to fill water bottle !
    You set for a weekend of tennis by any chance 😉

    Like

    Reply

  14. Reminds me of some of the more isolated beaches in Oman Jo. We could pitch our tent on the dunes and have the beach to ourselves (apart from the odd turtle or two) for a whole weekend. We did take plenty of water and we also took our own bar 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  15. That reminds me of the beach below us when we were camping at Lagos. Portugal truly has the most beautiful beaches. I guess it’s the Atlantic coastline. Spanish ones are much better once the corner has been turned past Gib eg the beautiful ones up from Tarifa.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m always meaning to see a bit more of the Costa de la Luz, Rough, but it’s a bit of a hike. I was planning Cadiz later this year but not sure yet if it’s going to happen. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. I know! We should be American, Debbie 🙂 Or maybe not- Yvette Prior says there’s a hurricane on the way. Always bad news for somebody! Enjoy your (sunny?) weekend! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.