Phew! Back to colour again! For a person who hates grey skies, monochrome is very hard work. Fortunately for me, my recent visit to the Algarve had its fair share of blue sky.
We’re leaving the beach behind and heading inland a little way today, to Vila Nova da Cacela. It’s quite an ordinary sort of place but I was inordinately pleased to be doing this walk. It was a case of third time lucky, because twice before I’d attempted to find the start point for the walk, unsuccessfully!
Let me explain. Often my Algarve walks are in the company of a group of walkers. The meeting point is always a neighbourhood cafe, designated by email. After all, who starts walking without a good cup of coffee first? Vila Nova da Cacela is one of those small towns in the Eastern Algarve that you’d have to detour to visit. The busy (by Algarve standards) E125 runs past it and many times I’ve whistled by without a care. Except, of course, when trying to find the designated cafe.
The town is not big, but just big enough that you might have doubts. The first time I and my husband tried to join the walk, ‘opposite the mercado’ seemed like clear instructions. But there was no sign of the walkers that day. I believe we gave up and went to the beach! The second time was a different cafe, and once again, with time in hand, we combed the streets of Vila Nova but could not find the walkers. It felt like some kind of conspiracy! We set off to explore the neighbourhood, sure that we’d bump into them round some corner, but it was not to be.
When we arrived on the third occasion (nobody can call us ‘quitters’) we were dumbfounded to find a traffic diversion bang smack in the centre of town. The directions we were carefully following were no longer valid, and worse, behind us were 2 cars containing walkers we recognised , following us with the conviction that we knew where we were going! Well, all’s well that ends well and we had at least found some walkers and, eventually, the cafe. I bet you need another cup of coffee before we set off, don’t you? I know I do!
As we left the town, the fields were a-tumble with yellow flowers, and an old well sat placidly looking on. A left turn brought us onto a track and soon we were approaching a lofty windmill, it’s sails still intact- quite rare these days.
The view from the top of the steps
Wild flowers growing carelessly by
The windmill up close
The walk is nothing special. Just a meander around the country lanes surrounding Vila Nova da Cacela. Even Wikipedia has next to nothing to say about the town. Still, it’s a pleasant place to be on a sunny February day, with the blossom tickling the trees.
A gentle flourish of blossom
I was sad to learn, from one of the walkers, that almond production is no longer profitable in the Algarve. Few new almond trees are being planted and the nuts are now widely imported. This in a country where sweet almond treats appear in the tiniest and humblest of cafes and on market stalls everywhere. I find it hard to understand.
Another ‘find’ in the hedgerows
We pass a few houses and a cafe or two, then we’re heading back into town. Little separates town from country, a flock of nosy sheep reminding us of that.
It’s goodbye to the orange trees
And hello to an inquisitive sheep
We’re heading back to ‘Cacela Mar’, our meeting place this morning. Tables are set out on the grass and for just 11 euros we enjoy a 3 course meal with wine. Our attention is caught by the glimmer of fungi in the grass. The waiter is quick to assure us that they’re not edible.
A gold-topped fungi
But I expect you’d rather have cake!
The walk took a couple of hours at a steady pace (and with a coffee stop thrown in). It wasn’t at all taxing but I felt a huge sense of achievement afterwards. I’d finally walked the ‘Farms of Cacela’! Triumph! I hope you enjoyed it too.
Next, it’s time to thank everybody for their kind contributions and to share this week’s walks. If you’d like to join in, the details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page, or you can just click on the logo above. More coffee, before we start?
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Jesh is first this week, with what sounds like my ideal wander. Come and join us!
While Debbie has me California dreaming…
Walking the Grand Canal, California style
When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always go… to Esther!
Here’s Amy, talking to ducks again (smile)
Drake is hoping they’ll soon be singing ‘We are the Champions’ :
Somebody else who doesn’t like to walk alone! Thanks, Geoff :
You’ll never walk alone, part 3
Gilly doesn’t mind a bit of solitude, especially if the surrounds are beautiful :
But if you visit Minou, you could indulge in some clog dancing!
Marken- a world away in 40 minutes
Finally, Jill sets the scene for a serene and mystical experience :
Superb, weren’t they? You can have a fine walk and never leave your armchair. Many thanks for joining me. I wish you a happy week, and some good walking.
restlessjo 
The flowers are exquisite, such rich vibrant colours must be a joy to walk amongst. I think the coffee is a great idea! I am sure the coffee in this part of the world is pretty delicious too! This a beautiful authentic post to enjoy. Thank you for sharing the ‘real’ culture of these local farms. Happy days.
LikeLike
I love the Algarve countryside almost as much as the beach, especially in Springtime. Many thanks, Lita 🙂
LikeLike
My dear friend Happy Easter to you !
May this Easter blessed with , joy and happiness.
LikeLike
Thank you! 🙂 I hope you’ve had a happy time too.
LikeLike
Beautiful mosaic of photos! I love the spring….everything is fresh and colorful. My favorite photo is with sheep, so cute 🙂 Have a nice spring. Bye. Kamila
LikeLike
Thanks, Kamila 🙂 Yes, they were the cutest sheep! Have a wonderful Spring too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done for not giving up and eventually tracking down the other walkers. Your lovely images are immensely cheering. Coffee and an almond treat sounds like just the thing, so it’s sad to hear almond production has stopped in Portugal. 😉
LikeLike
There are still almond trees everywhere so I’m sure some of them will still be harvested. They eat an immense amount of almond based cakes! I will be checking on markets and fairs where the almonds have come from and trying to just buy local. 🙂
LikeLike
Was it February? It looks like early spring! I like the idea of having a cake after the walk…so good that you could finally join this nice walk!
LikeLike
Yes, this is how an Algarve February usually looks. Wonderful, isn’t it? But it does have cooler days and grey skies too sometimes, if I’m honest. I could cope 🙂 The cake was just the ending of a 3 course meal. Got to replace that burned up energy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike
Jake- these are such fun! I get mesmerised by the leaping letters 🙂 Thank you so much for your company today!
LikeLike
Oh Jo, this post is as much a sweet treat as those almond goodies you speak of. I wonder why they don’t grow almond trees anymore? What a stunning walk, glad it all worked out despite the dodgy directions 😮 Your photos make me realise what we are missing here and now I can’t wait for those warmer, spring days. And the meals are cheap there! I’ve been working on Hubby about getting away for a short trip to the sun..he said that he has something up his sleeve. Let’s see! I’m hinting strongly at Porto for a long weekend…and guess whose post I’ll be reading in earnest if so! Sorry I didn’t get over here yesterday, I didn’t even get my own post out. Hubby’s birthday and taking my cat Maisy to the vets…well, you know how the day can get away with you. Have a lovely evening Jo 🙂
LikeLike
Hi sweetheart! Don’t feel you have to visit at any particular time. I know full well that the week’s not long enough. I intended to come looking for you yesterday to see how you were doing with the black and white, and here we are and it’s this evening already 🙂 Hope hubby had a great birthday!
The almond trees are still grown but the almonds are hand picked so it’s time consuming. Apparently it’s been automated abroad, and Algarve almonds are no longer cost effective 😦 I shall go on eating them for as long as I can!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh…you are a sweetie Jo, thank you! And yes, a lovely if quiet birthday, I took him out to the Indian, he loves the food. Claire came too which was lovely 🙂 I love almonds,very healthy for you as you know I’m sure. Hugs to you dear Jo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great walk Jo, a painters dream for sure. Enjoyed seeing the countryside through your lens.
LikeLike
Yes, I think you could have a ‘field’ day in the Algarve, Mary! Thanks for your lovely company. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely Jo and thank you for introducing us to other blogs. 🙂
LikeLike
Glad you liked it, Nomzi. The other walks are a lot of fun and I enjoy playing hostess. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh for the days when I could walk for ‘just’ a couple of hours! On my Sunday stroll down a narrow primrose-bordered track, I was disturbed by an engine roar behind me. Just in time I managed to climb the bank, hanging on to a clutch of brambles. Six 4 x 4s passed me close enough to touch, with me hanging on for grim death! The drivers all lowered their windows and said bon jour, and one offered to take me to the end of the track. I explained that if he did I would be unable to walk home such a distance! I shall know better than to go that way again on a Sunday.
LikeLike
Oh, Viv! I have it all coming, don’t I? One of these days I’ll be a little old lady sitting on a Portuguese doorstep (if I’m lucky!) Got to keep pushing for now, in case I don’t make it. Hugs! 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, spring comes very early to that region. I admire your peserverence. I probably would have given up after the second time…or maybe not. The walk seems to have been worth it. That sheep looks more like a poodlae than a sheep. 😀
LikeLike
*oops…poodle*
LikeLike
🙂 Thanks for spending time with me today, Julie. I appreciate it.
LikeLike
We don’t normally have trouble finding them, so pure pig-headedness took us back there. And it was worth it. The company that day was very good, and the sheep were cute too 🙂
LikeLike
I always enjoy your walk Jo! You always manage to see beautiful things on your walk. The sheep looks so cute and curious 😀 😀 Have a wonderful week!
LikeLike
I didn’t think I had enough decent photos for this walk, but there are just enough interesting details to get me through 🙂 Thanks, Indah- you too!
LikeLike
I love walking in the country Jo I am a country girl through and through and this post was just delightful I’m so pleased you persevered and found the café and the walkers. Is this a walking group or is it an organised walk for tourists?
LikeLike
Morning, Pauline! (or Evening 🙂 ) It’s a walking group. Two groups in fact- the Strollers and the Striders, doing different levels of walks. They run from late September to May/June and stop when it becomes too hot. There’s always a nice meal at the end, if you want to go along,and I’ve met some lovely people since we joined. And it takes us to places we might not otherwise see. 🙂
LikeLike
I like the sound of those types of walks Jo, especially the meal at the end…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sunny skies, beautiful scenery and lots of coffee – my kind of walk!
LikeLike
Come along any time! You’re always welcome, Lisa 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you finally got to do the walk. It does look like a pleasant stroll.
LikeLike
I enjoy the social side of it, Draco. Some walks are more spectacular than others and I like to get out exploring on my own too. 🙂 Always playing ‘catch up’ on the group walks because of the camera.
LikeLike