Jo’s Monday walk : Vila Nova de Milfontes

Looking down from the castelo at Vila Nova de Milfontes

Looking down from the castelo of Vila Nova de Milfontes

I don’t know what it is about castles and beaches but they seem to me a very pleasing combination.  And the one above, in the Alentejo, isn’t the only one I found.  But we have to start somewhere so today I thought I’d take you over the Algarve border, and on up the western coastline of Portugal.  I have been to this area before but never so far as Vila Nova de Milfontes.

Situated at the mouth of the River Mira, the presence of the castle tells you that it was not always so peaceful here. Forte de São Clemente still has a drawbridge.  Dating back to 1485, the town had a key defensive role to play, and the wide estuary provided a safe harbour.  Today it’s not pirates we have to fear so much as tourists.  The town is part of the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina national park, which stretches all the way down the coast and into the Algarve.  As such it enjoys a good measure of protection, and development is largely low rise.

Not for nothing is this known as the windy coast, and in my short visit it was highly apparent that this could be a cool spot. (the wind sometimes whistled in the corners of my hotel)  But I also experienced some lovely sunshine, so let’s take a wander through the town.

We'll start here in the shade of the castle

We’ll start here in the shade of the castle

There’s a tiny square,  Praça da Barbacã, very atmospheric at night, which looks down on the ferry point.  A rather strange sculpture has pride of place.  It pays tribute to the role played locally in aviation between Portugal and Macau in the Far East.

The drawbridge
The monument to aviation

This is the nicest part of town, as you wander gently uphill through a mix of older houses and new.  There’s a small, simple church and a few gift shops.  What appears to be a tiny cafe turns out to be a 3 storey Tardis, serving food to half the town, myself included!  I meander along, past ochre and immaculate blue and white, letting my eye drift, as it does.

The church, in blue and white
Plain inside, with just a few decorative touches
And a Madonna
With matching nearby houses
Stylish street signs
Inviting street corners
Simple facades
And gay additions

But wait!  There are surprises in store.

Who’s this?
These guys kept hanging around
Just a little sinister?

I thought that there must be some kind of scarecrow festival going on, but this was the only evidence I found.  Just one ‘spooky’ street, with an interesting shop or two for delving.

I step inside to look at the cork products
And these cheerful fellows
Or a seahorse with attitude?

Maybe a seahorse with attitude?

This looks like a good place to stay

And on the street corner, a good-looking place to stay

Pausing, I look down to the right and catch a glimpse of water.  Like a magnet, I’m drawn.

Don’t you love this tree?
A kayak or two
And a litter of boats

Looking back you can see the road bridge spanning the River Mira which brings you into town, but ahead the estuary opens out. Locals race against the tide to winkle out errant shellfish. Beneath my feet, a shelf of lavishly coloured rock.

Gazing out to sea

Gazing out to sea

A tired dolphin
A fugitive from the tide?
The rock beneath my feet
And here's the ferry point. It's lunch hour!

And here’s the ferry point, at lunch hour

Not a lot of action going on
Just my husband, waiting!

A group of backpackers sit in the shade.  I wonder where they’re off to next.  It feels like a transient place, and I know that there are beaches aplenty, just waiting.

Time to mount the steps back to the castelo

Time to mount the steps back to the castelo- not too arduous!

There are pretty distractions
Like this kingfisher
And this is your reward!

And here you have your reward!

I hope you enjoyed our morning amble.  That fresh sea air always does me a power of good.  The resort has probably stayed so peaceful because it’s quite a distance from the nearest airport, Lisbon, and you would probably need to drive there.

Time to share some walks.  Got the kettle on?

walking logo

Some of these folks have had a long wait to be included this week, so apologies if you’ve already been there.  Please do visit them if you haven’t.  If you’d like to join in, details can be found on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Just click on the logo.  You’ll be very welcome.

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Let’s start the ball rolling with Bratislava.  Wouldn’t I love to accompany Debbie there?  This is SO pretty!

No Feeling Blue Here

Blue skies in the Shetlands for Anabel.  Lucky, or what?

Jarlshof to Sumburgh Head

Car boot sale anyone?  Actually Violet’s calling it a Farmer’s Market :

To market, to market

Random but very enjoyable rambles with Jackie and Frida Kahlo :

Monday’s Walk

Fairmont Banff Springs!  Sadly this luxury is not for me, but just look at Amy’s photos!

Monday Walk : Castle in the Wilderness (2)

Drake pays a wonderful tribute to ‘strong women’ :

The shades of Joan of Arc

And, in my absence, he took a little walk with the Beatles!

Nowhere walk

While Jaspa takes us strolling ‘down South America way’ :

The Streets of Santiago, Chile

Jill takes us for a fun wander (and I think there’s street art too)

Auckland City on a good day

What do Errol Flynn and Hobart have in common?  Find out with Ruth!

A walk around Battery Point

Fascination and excitement from the Southern hemisphere!  You’ll find it with Laia :

Rotorua: Maori culture and geothermal activity

And please welcome another ‘fit person’ to my walks.  You may have difficulty keeping up!

Memories of Ireland: Mount Brandon

Jude has excelled herself in my absence, with 3 new walks!  The most recent one unfortunately ended with a limp.

Garden Portrait : RHS Wisley part 1

Garden Portrait : RHS Wisley part 2

A painful memory or two here from Jude- suffering for her art!

Garden Portrait : Painshill Park

Unfortunately I won’t be walk leading next Monday as I’ll still be recovering from a Polish wedding.  I’m only gone a few days and hope to be back on track after that.  Seriously!  Meantime you might like to keep an eye on those lovely lasses at Monday Escapes.  Take care, and enjoy your walking!

 

 

151 comments

  2. Welcome back albeit briefly Jo! Sounds like you’ve had a lovely time in Portugal. This little spot looks so lovely and unspoiltt. I always love the look of the blue and white architecture. We also are known as a very windy city here in Perth – must be to do with being on the far west of a continent. It drops the temperature in the afternoon in the summer months so we are grateful for it! Here is a link to my lighthouse stroll to include whenever you like! http://wp.me/p4rCVl-XJ Also I finally got round to posting about the Alice in Wonderland prints from Portobello Road so I’ll send you the link for that too (though it’s not for Monday Walks of course just for interest!). Have a wonderful time at the Polish wedding! 🙂

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  5. As you, I also think that castles and beaches are a beautiful combination. I love them both, and if they are at the same place, even better 🙂

    Beautiful place and wonderful photos!

    Happy to have you on #MondayEscapes

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  6. Oh, I love castles above a beach, too. Maybe it’s a past-life thing (if there is such a thing)? Or…they now say we can have memories of our ancestors through our DNA!!! Really. I love the wall of rock fused together.

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  7. What an amazing place, Jo! I’m sure that tree you like is a Norfolk Island Pine (I’m not sure how it got all the way to Portugal). These are great shots. One day I might get to live in a castle by the sea 😀

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    1. They are quite common in Portugal, Dianne, and I love them (the trees 🙂 ) Thanks a lot! This castle is still intact which is more than can be said of most, and a drawbridge so I can keep out the riff raff! 🙂 🙂 (but not you)

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      2. Thursday for a Saturday wedding in a place called Chorzow so may not be an option, Andrew. It’s just a short visit and it looks like we may be taking the rain with us 😦

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  10. I love the colour of the church and buildings – that white wash and blue reminds me more of Greece rather than Portugal. Thanks for taking me around Vila Nova de Milfontes I enjoyed it very much! Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes

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  11. Apart your stunning photos , I think that Portugal and the Portuguese people , are keeping the innocence and the genuinity of the ancient southern European countries….
    The simplicity and the colours of the old houses are so sweet!

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  12. It looks a gorgeous place to visit . . . . we want to explore more of Alentejo so adding this to the list and we get to go west too! Perfect. How long did it take from Tavira, and which way did you go?

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    1. Not quite the way we intended, Becky, because we have rather an old map. Following it is always interesting 🙂 We went up the EO1 or IC1 depending on what your map says? (the road parallel to the toll road to Lisbon). It comes out on the N120 north of Odeceixe. 2-2 and a half hours-ish? I will be posting more when I get back from the wedding. 🙂

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  16. Wonderful composition, especially of that first photo and the castelo steps. Then there’s the Greek island blue, and the white walls, and the boats. The scarecrows are macabre, some sort of horror story having happened or waiting to happen. Maybe Portugal goes on my list of monthly escapes from J and 8 months in Warsaw.

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    1. I could be mean and say that when I first stepped out of the hotel door the wind was very, very fresh! But the lovely receptionist assured me that it wasn’t often like that, and I was only wearing a flimsy top 🙂 You’d love it!

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  20. How is it possible that I’ve never gone to Portugal? I should change that when I go back to Europe! Seems lovely! Yes, I agree that castles and beaches are a pleasant combination 🙂 And did I see a blue humming bird on a white wall? So cute!

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