Winter in the Algarve- the deserted beach at Praia da Rocha
Despite the high rise, I’m sure you can see the attraction? Praia da Rocha was the Algarve’s earliest resort, and it still makes a pleasant place for a winter stroll. I don’t have much time to create a walk post, having just arrived home, so I’ll be starting you off very gently.
Praia da Rocha and the city of Portimão meld into one where the River Arade empties into the Atlantic Ocean, on Portugal’s southern coast. Next week we can wander the river bank at leisure, but let’s start simply, with the beach, shall we?
Smart hotels line the promenade
In contrast, the remains of the 17th century Fortress of Santa Catarina de Ribamar come as something of a surprise. Testimony to the days when pirate corsairs raided these shores.
Pirates beware!
But these days it’s more of a look out
And isn’t that the most inviting causeway stretching out into the sea? I think I can spy a lighthouse at the end. Zip your jacket up! A windsurfer or two is testing the breeze.
The empty beach tells it’s own story
And playing with the shadows
Collar huddled against that bracing wind, it’s a brisk stride back to the shelter of the cliffs. You can feel yourself relax then, as the warmth tickles your shoulder blades.
Near perfect weather for sailing
But it’s the boardwalk that beckons, and those mysterious stacks at the end of the beach.
You can walk back along the beach, admiring the cliff face in detail, or return to the cliff top. There are several sets of steps. Most of the available parking is around the marina, at the east end of the resort. Let’s just pop our noses in there first, then go looking for something to eat.
Take your pick!
If you’re not too hungry, you can wander out around the marina. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, even though many close in the winter. I’m moving on to Portimão, and I hope you’ll join me there, next Monday.
I had a wonderful two weeks ‘away from it all’, and I have so many of you to catch up with! Thank you for your patience. I’ll stop by as soon as I can. Meantime, there are some wonderful walks to share. Some of you have been very diligent. For anyone new to my walks, the logo or my Monday walks page will give you more details. Goodness- I’m on to my second cuppa already!
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Any of you know Warsaw? That’s where my lovely friend Meg is right now, visiting family :
Paula has been checking out ‘restless fliers’ in Zagreb. No, nothing to do with me!
I can’t ski but I’m always game for a chair lift or two! Thanks, Drake :
Two Megs this week, just to confuse you! This one’s in Virginia :
Lucy often stays in Paris, lucky lady! Share a beautiful walk with her in St. Germain :
What about a little poetry next? And a classic from Dionne Warwick- thanks, Esther :
Amy really does take wonderful photos. Just check these out! :
Architecture walking tour of downtown Fort Worth
Welcome to Anabel, who introduces us to a beautiful light show in Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Jude- you’ll like this!
And you can rely on Elena for quirky!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Far East, so I’m very happy to tour Vientiane with Colibrist :
Experimental travel in Vientiane, Laos
Who wouldn’t want to eat with Yvette, and share music with Frizz? What a combination!
Pasto Italiano (and Belichick quote)
Or maybe try beachcombing with Tobias :
The Eternal Traveler has joined us this week with some stunning views of Japan. I’m so jealous!
Unusual, unexpected, unbelievable
I’m delighted to end with lovely Sherri Matthews. You can’t help but enjoy her stories :
Virginia Woolf’s Round House and Lewes Priory
That’s it for this week, folks. I didn’t think I’d make it! Thank you for all your brilliant contributions, and I can’t wait to see what next week brings. Have a good one!
Beach strolls are the best Jo – I love the tranquility of soft blue and pale sand colours in your photos.
Happy memories, Suze 🙂
Oh how I miss the Algarve!! 😦
I don’t think you should look at my posts for the next week or two. They’ll be full of it 😦
Aaaaahhhh… no!! Whooppee… any Alvor pics?? 😉
It was actually freezing the day we were there but very sunny 🙂 I have a couple of pics but I didn’t linger. Just posted 6WS. Sorry! 🙂
Welcome back Jo! Algarve seems a great place to take rest, with that beautiful empty beach and clear sky 🙂 I come from a seaside city so I always love walking along the sea, thanks for the walk!
I do not know if I am late for the next round… I propose to continue discovering Laos, walking along an Angkor style temple this time:
https://colibrist.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/vat-phou-angkor-style-temple-laos/
Have a nice weekend!
Thanks, Colibrist 🙂 You’re never too late for a Monday walk really. I just fit you in on the following week, whatever day you send me your walk. If they all come in on a Monday I’m always short of time because I’m usually out walking. Many thanks for joining me again 🙂 You too!
Welcome back Jo looks like you had a lovely break in the Algarve! That looks a great spot for a stroll especially without the crowds and I always love lighthouses! Hope you’re getting caught up with things and have a great weekend 🙂
I love an empty beach, Rosemay, and if it’s because temperatures aren’t very high I really don’t mind, if the sun’s in the sky. 🙂 Many thanks for your walk! I’ll be along there soon.
It’s weird seeing the beaches so empty, but certainly makes for stunning photos!
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
I’m not exactly antisocial, but I do love a naked beach, Suze 🙂
🙂 🙂
I haven’t been walking much in this hot summer Jo, but today I just had to go down to the beach to see what the ocean was doing. https://pommepal.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/storm-warning-
Reminds me- I should be on Seaton beach with the Nordic walkers this morning, Pauline, but looking at the grey sky I might give it a miss 😦 I’ll come to the beach with you, instead 🙂 Many thanks, love!
Grey skies here too Jo but it is still warm but gusty winds…
I would like to order one giant heap of winter in the Algarve, please! Enjoy your sunny bit of heaven….
Oh, I did, AG! I’ve even enjoyed a brisk walk on the Headland beach since my return, but today is dull and gloomy so I’m posting Carnaval. Bring on the dancing girls! 🙂
I was thinking that I hadn’t seen anything from you lately and then I discover that a number of my follows have disappeared! A WordPress bug I expect.
I have been ‘off the radar’ for a couple of weeks and you know what WP is like when your back’s turned 🙂 Thanks for re-following. How was Warsaw? Good time, I hope 🙂
I liked it but not as much as Wroclaw or Krakow. Because of recent history I think it is a place to have been to just to have been (if that makes sense) there rather than expect to see too much ?
It does. Having only had 5/6 hours there, I left feeling there was much more to see and wouldn’t mind a return. Was the missus suitably impressed? 🙂
There was a TKMAX so yes, she was!
Good to be back walking with you Jo, that sky is so blue, hard to believe that the wind is cold and that is probably why the beach is so deserted
In a sheltered spot it’s lovely, Pauline, and we spent many a happy morning sitting on our patio before venturing forth. 🙂
Sounds and looks divine, thank you for sharing it with us.
Oh, lovely! I love beaches in the winter. Missed you while you were gone!
Minou
Oh….my walk…https://minouwrites.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/following-the-footsteps-of-pilgrims-in-leiden/
Sounds like a good one! Many thanks, Minou 🙂
It looks so beautiful and peaceful there, Jo. I’d love to rest my tired bones there. 😉❤️
You and me (oh, and don’t forget Jeff and Rocky 🙂 ) lazing on a blanket (maybe two?) with a big heap of books. Sound good? I might manage wine, too 🙂 🙂 What a temptress!
Sounds great. Now if I could just board a plane. (Never happen!)😍
I can dream 🙂
nice to see you again here Jo! what a lovely post. beautiful pictures as always and i love the quietude of the sea. 🙂
Not flat calm, LolaWi, but lovely with the blue skies 🙂 Thank you!
I love your photo’s of the deserted beach!!
Beaches should always look like that, don’t you think? But don’t go there in Summer! 🙂
Happy to have you back Jo! Impressed that you managed to take us on such a wonderful walk so soon. Love your photos, especially the first: of the dreamy, deserted beach 🙂
Thanks, Madhu 🙂 I was thinking about what to post on the flight home (how’s that for dedication 🙂 ) and this was the simplest I could think of (out of the 1040 photos I took- all getting a little out of hand?) But don’t you just love it? The sharing, I mean?
Oh I do! And i can’t wait to see more…
Wunderschöne Fotos wünsche dir einen glücklichen schönen Dienstag lieber Gruß Gislinde
Vielen danke, Gislinde 🙂 🙂
I always regretted not getting to Portugal while I lived in London, and now I’m wondering why on earth I didn’t go to this beautiful place in the winter! It looks stunning.
I have another walk to offer you, actually not all that far from Portugal (compared to Australia, that is!): walking in the mountains above Interlaken, Switzerland.
https://elizabethkrallphotos.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/walk-mountains-interlaken/
Switzerland is one of my regrets, Elizabeth. I touched briefly on Lugano one year in the Italian Lakes (oh, how I loved those! It seems a lifetime away 🙂 ) and I’ve seen a little of Austria but there’s so much still to see. That’s the story of my life, I’m afraid. 🙂 Many thanks for sharing.