It’s that ‘betwixt and between’, Christmas time and the New Year. The weather has been atrocious in so many places and some people will be spending it mopping up and repairing their homes. I haven’t managed too much walking lately myself, but I do still have some happy memories to share. Shall we take a little salt marsh stroll in the Eastern Algarve? Nothing too strenuous! At day’s end, we can even linger by the beach awhile.
The sky is blue, and that’s a good start! I’ve taken you to Fuseta before. It’s a little off the beaten track, but beloved by campers for the beachfront camp site. New development unkindly overshadows the distinctive fishermen’s homes. Prime location is key, after all, but the fishermen pursue their livelihood as they always did. The settlement dates back to 1572, and the fishing boats still cluster together in the mouth of the Rio Tronoco.
Approximately 10km east of Olhão, you turn off the E125 and follow the narrow road, over the railway tracks and down past the river mouth to the shore. Except in high Summer you will find ample parking beside the camp site. With the sea on your left, walk between the fishermen’s houses and the new apartment blocks facing the sea. The salt marshes open out where the road ends.
It’s a distinctive landscape, and habitat for all kinds of birds. I’ve grown to love it’s oft times, unkempt appearance when the tide is low. Spears of sunlight glinting on high water will reward my patience later. Coots bob gently on the surface, while their longer-legged friends peck, and choose.
Paths lead between the salt pans but you would be ill advised to follow any that are not obviously well trodden. Cyclists zip past, some with a smile and a wave. Looking back, houses randomly dot the marsh borders, and in the distance the new builds gleam, whitely.
You can follow the cycle track all the way to Olhao if you wish, but I did promise you a shorter walk, so I’m meandering back, on the main path across the marshes. I know of a good bench or three, where you can watch the locals play boules and still keep an eye on the sea.
You’ll be wanting a stop at the beach cafe, but I might just tempt you to a stroll along the river mouth first? You know I like a boat or two!
It’s a little ragged around the edges, but Fuseta is a real and honest place, with a working population. I hope you enjoyed accompanying me on my stroll. Shall we head back to that cafe now? I hear there’s cake!
I’ve had a great time walking with you all this year. Thank you for the support. It has been amazing! I worry sometimes that the formula is growing stale. I know that I will carry on walking and sharing, because I love it, but I would hate for you to be bored. You can say so, politely, in the comments, if you wish. I promise not to take offense. For now, I’m going to put that kettle on.
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Not many shares this week, as you’ve all been busy with Christmas! Hopefully you’ll find time to read just a few excellent ones. Many thanks to my contributors! My Jo’s Monday walk page gives details of how to join in.
Drake’s post was wonderfully Christmassy! Happy New Year to you, sir!
Over at Junkboat Travels they were making a proper holiday of it :
Why not visit Jaspa’s favourite city? You may be in for a surprise :
Secret Itineraries Tour, Doge’s Palace, Venice
One of my joys on Christmas morning was this precious gift from Meg. Please don’t miss it!
Eurobodalla beaches : Wasp Head
And my lovely friend Gilly proves that murky weather doesn’t have to make you miserable :
Please do join me on Jo’s Monday walk next week, when I’ll be celebrating the launch of Jude’s new Garden Photography Challenge. I have a rather nice English garden to share. But first, I’d like to wish you a very happy and healthy New Year, and lots of walking!
restlessjo 
Now how on earth did I miss this lovely one . . .was I not following you in 2016? Guessing I couldn’t have been.
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I’ve done so many now, Becky. I struggle to remember a lot of them myself. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin!
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🙂
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I love this walk along the salt marshes, Jo. I especially love your boat photos, the birds (what are the long-legged ones – herons, storks?), and that beautiful plant, I think it’s aloe?? Gorgeous pictures to brighten our moods now that the winter cold is now hitting us with full force. Luckily no snow yet, and still blue skies! 🙂
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Blue skies! Forgotten what they look like, Cathy. Good job I’m going back to the Algarve on 1st Feb (though I understand it’s a bit squally there right now 🙂 ) Flamingos, you mean? The Polish family have just gone for the evening and I’m all in a heap, with the Christmas tree still to take down 🙂
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Oh flamingos! I always think flamingos should be pink, and those don’t look pink. I guess they can be any color though. I’m taking my Christmas tree down on Saturday, after we’ve moved Adam out! Then I can clean up, get our house organized just in time for it to be torn apart for our renovation. Maybe I’ll finally be able to relax in April or May, assuming Adam isn’t on his way back home after 6 months!
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What’s Adam going to be doing in Richmond? Tree’s down and I’m totally collapsed tonight but we had a lovely time. Finished with being the hostess with the mostest for the time being. Not my natural role 🙂 What kind of renovations are you having done? Our house needs a top to toe overhaul as well as major clean out…I might start on Friday when the family have gone.
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Your guess is as good as mine as to what Adam will be doing, Jo. We told him he needs to get a job and we are leaving it up to him to find one that pays enough for him to keep his apartment after our 6-month trial period (during which time our contribution to his living expenses declines each month). Richmond has a lot of young people and is a small city that’s more manageable than northern Virginia, which is simply a suburb of Washington and nothing more than urban sprawl. We hope he can make connections with like-minded people and find a direction and a fresh start.
As for our house, we need quite a large renovation. This time around, we’re knocking out the wall between kitchen and family room, getting a whole new kitchen, knocking down the deck and building a screened-in porch and a deck, and building a new laundry/mud room. It will be a major project. The contractor is drawing up some conceptual plans right now. Also, we plan to do major decluttering ourselves, starting soon, I hope! I’m reading an interesting book about that: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. It gives an interesting method for tackling the problem.
I’m sure you’re happy your hostessing duties are over. I was really happy to have the holidays come to an end and to take down our Christmas tree! Enjoy your decluttering! 🙂
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Haven’t started yet! Enjoying the lull. Maybe I should read that book! Sounds like you plan to stick around for a while this time, Cathy 🙂 Love to you and Mike xx
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Thanks Jo, Love right back to you and Mick! xxx
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Funny- I’m decluttering my Inbox and I just saw a recommend for the book in my Goodreads newsletter 🙂
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It’s probably on your list because I’m reading it and we’re friends on Goodreads! 🙂
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All ok with you, Cathy? 🙂
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Thanks, Jo, yes all is okay. I’m busy this month taking a class and reading a lot (of excruciatingly boring stuff) to take the Virginia Real Estate licensing exam. I haven’t had much time for blogging. Hopefully I’ll get back to it soon. 🙂 Is all well with you? xxx
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You’re thinking of selling real estate? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick, as usual? Yes- more relaxed here after the Polish family visit, thanks. 🙂 I thought you might still be having ‘family troubles’ so good news that you’re just busy.
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Hey Jo! I’m taking the Real Estate class and will take the test to see if I pass. Then I’ll decide if I want to do it. Since I have to be home for a good while, I’d like to try it out and see how it goes. If I don’t like it, or I decide it’s too much work for too little payoff, I may consider going abroad again. Or figure out something else to do! 🙂 As for “family troubles,” I may still have them, but now they’re not right under my nose!
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Sounds like a plan! You’re never short of ideas, Cathy 🙂 You’ll pass! Good luck to you 🙂
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Thanks, Jo! I could envision myself getting impatient with a lot of hard work and no pay to fund my travels, but we’ll see! 🙂
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Cake? Did someone say, cake? I’ve enjoyed your walks very much, Jo and look forward to more in 2016. Happy New Year!
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Next week will be completely different, Susan 🙂 But I hope you’ll still enjoy it. Very best wishes for 2016 🙂
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I can almost smell that tang in the air. I’ve heard you’ve been having bad weather in the UK. This is a pleasant diversion. 🙂
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It’s been atrocious in many parts, Julie. Pretty lucky where I live (and up a hill is a good place to be 🙂 ). Thanks for your company and all the best in the year ahead.
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