Jo’s Monday walk : Salt marshes at Fuseta

IMG_1157

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.

IMG_1174

IMG_1180

IMG_1183

IMG_1184

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.

IMG_1185

IMG_1187

IMG_1191

IMG_1192

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.

IMG_1188

IMG_1195

IMG_1196

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.IMG_1198

IMG_1200

IMG_1209

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!

IMG_3787 IMG_3781

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!

walking logo

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.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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!

Walkaround

Over at Junkboat Travels they were making a proper holiday of it :

Mazatlan, Mexico

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 :

A Boxing Day stroll

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!

133 comments

  1. Don’t you dare mention the “b” word. You’re like a magician. You keep pulling mataphorical rabbits out of hats in your three main locations.

    Salt marshes: now the’s a new landscape for me. The boats with a sea gull captain are a beautiful colour and I love the glorious lines and the long legged birds. The fact that it’s a working place gives it unbeatable charm: I was in orange orchard country and felt the mighty pleasure watching every passing person or vehicle engaged in the same business.

    Is that lantana early on? Such a beautiful flower – and such a pest here. My son began his battle with it last time he visited his block, and it won the first round hands down.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I exercised self restraint on this post, Meg :). ME! Unbelievable! I had loads of boat photos and I pared them down to half a dozen 🙂
      I think you’d like our end of the Algarve. It’s all salt marsh and it can look decidedly scruffy when the tide’s out, but it has a certain magnetism (and it’s flat for walkers 🙂 Must be getting old like Jude- I never thought I’d hear me sing flat’s praises 🙂 ). Yes, lantana- lots of different hues and not a beast here yet. Thank you so much for the encouragement, Mrs. Wizard. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  3. A lovely walk. I cannot get over how flat it all is over that part of the Algarve, reminds me of the salt marshes of North Norfolk which I love. I agree with the other commenters, we ❤ your walks and your photos. I hope to join in again soon, I'm a fair weather walker as I am really a photographer who walks… my excuse and I am sticking to it 😉

    I am sure you are worrying over nothing (get some M&S food in, I would) but that doesn't help when you wake in the middle of the night. I know THAT feeling all too well. We had a lovely afternoon stroll in Wisley – I'll post the photos of the lights for you on return. But I am not enjoying driving in all this traffic! Nor in the dark. I think I am getting old 😦 and OH not well, allergic reaction knocked him out tonight.

    Youngest granddaughter tomorrow, she'll have grown tenfold since we last saw her! And new one expected in Oz! The dynasty is expanding 🙂
    TTYL Jo 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes- very good for aging legs, Jude 🙂 I’m not worried about contributor numbers. It’s interesting when someone new comes along, but with all my lovely faithfuls I know they’ll be back when there’s something good to share. Quality over quantity every time and I can rely on you for that 🙂
      And for the moral support too 🙂
      Mick is auditioning for world’s grumpiest driver, so I don’t envy you the driving part. James is back in Leeds for 2 days (after cooking again!!! last night 🙂 ) so I’m hoping for a tootle out today, avoiding flood plains. 😦 Sorry about OH! Wisley is a lovely bonus to the grandkids 🙂 Take care of yourself!

      Like

      Reply

      1. So glad you had the enjoyment of James’s cooking. Hope his place in Leeds is OK. My middle son’s office got flooded. We returned home today as OH quite ill all night and not up to exploring, did manage a fleeting visit to the youngest GD though, she is such a cutie – tall and skinny with lovely eyes, and we got a smile or two 🙂 Drive back much better in the sunshine though still busy on the roads. I’m quite patient though (got used to being behind all these slow trucktors here in the country), but there are some annoying drivers out there. Got some nice flower photos in the glasshouse and quite a few light to share with you for Monday!

        Like

    2. Wild here this morning! Just a slit of angry red through rolling black clouds. Quite dramatic, sitting indoors 🙂 Sorry about David. Hope he’s on his feet again soon. New Year’s Eve plans? Spirit lifting day spent chasing waterfalls yesterday 🙂 Looking forward to your big launch this weekend 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. Very windy here, and wet. Would not have been a day for exploring so nothing lost in coming home early. We make even less fuss over NYE – have been known to be in bed well before midnight 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  7. You don’t have a boring bone in your body girl! I love your Monday walks even if I don’t get to post every time. This one cheered me up, as I’ve just got back from yet another grey, countryside walk myself. How I long for that blue! I like a place that’s ragged around the edges, instead of glossy or tacky with tourism and thanks to you I love the eastern Algarve. Enjoy your Polish visitors babe 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for being lovely, Gilly 🙂 We just had a brisk walk by the beach. Grey skies but a bit of drama in the waves. Mick was fast walking though, so I couldn’t get the camera out. Cobwebs all gone 🙂 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. I kind of hoped no-one would ask that, Susan, because I’m not entirely sure, though I have tried to find out. 😦 It resembles a lifeboat station but is not currently in use. It does make good photos though 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Not great here, either, Pit, but considering what’s going on around our world I consider us lucky 🙂 Just been for a rather wild and grey walk by the local beach 🙂 Thanks- you too!

      Like

      Reply

  15. First of all, I absolutely loved this stroll. Magnificent, diverse landscapes and boats, boats, boats! Secondly, I would be very sad to see you stop doing your Monday walks as I so much enjoy accompanying you on yours, walking with other participants, and sharing my own from time to time. If you are bored by the idea and want to do something else, fine. But if you think that we are bored by all the beauty that you share with us, well you are just mad!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Lisa, that’s such a lovely thing to hear. 🙂 I’m just feeling a bit winter grumpy, I think. I need to start planning for the year ahead but I have Polish family visiting next week, and I can’t think past that at present. Thanks for your kindness, and I’m glad you enjoy the walks. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. “Look at that sea, girls–all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn’t enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.” Your pictures are so inspiring, dear Jo. Keep on walking and showing us such beautiful places, please! Your posts are very great and I always look forward to reading them. You enjoy this world and share its beauties with us! You helps me to discover a completely new world which I might never see in reality, can you imagine how valuable it is for people like me? So, never stop!

    Like

    Reply

    1. We’ve been pretty lucky here, Ann. 🙂 Torrential rain for a day or two but no flooding in our immediate surroundings. Dreadful in Yorkshire and Cumbria though. I don’t know why I’m feeling so down. Life must be pretty miserable for those poor folks!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yes, it must be messy and discouraging. Hmm……sometimes we just get weary. I do,especially around mid-winter which is about where you are now. Smiles and hugs from the sunny south of NZ. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Hey jo – perfect for an end of the year walk between holidays (as u noted) and live the benches u always find (and boats) – also – I do not think the Monday walks are stale – but I know for me because I am blogging less I participate in stuff less and visit less – sniff – but doing what works right now – anyhow – love your Monday walks💕💕💕

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Yvette 🙂 I’m having a small dose of end of year blues, and I need to pick myself up and give me a good shake. 🙂 Your company, whenever you can make it, is always appreciated. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. 😏 well I hope the shake helps – ha! And I like how U said the “betwixt and between” because it seems perfect for describing this end of the year time – and here we went from crazy ten days to
        Silence – was nice but weird – we had out of town visitors and huge to do lists – we were scrapping for sleep – u know – and then – get this – everyone left the same morning and schedules were all clear – and it was like – what?
        But already adjusting to the next wave of life -and so cheers to 2016🌹🌹🌹

        Like

      3. Yeah – as nice as Christmas turned out to be over here (and very grateful for that) a few of us actually used the “h” word last week (as in hate this time of year) – ha!
        Anyhow -I hope u enjoy your polish family when they come – what a great way to start 2016 – ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Oh, I can join you in the slight blues, Jo…. I have a bit of a cold coming on, and just trying to perk myself up by listening to music….no energy for anything else

        Like

      5. 😦 I hope Christmas was ok though? Did you have company? I have Polish family coming next week and I should be looking forward to it, but instead I’m loosing sleep over the cooking.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Christmas Day was spent with friends and their extended family -25 of us sat down to lunch! All I did was prepare some of the vegg, and talk! Boxing Day with more friends, and plenty of games and laughs… Last couple of days I’ve been resting up….

        Like

  20. Pingback: Stone-washed path | Le Drake Noir

Leave a comment

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