Jo’s Monday walk : Amendoeira (Almond) Trail

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True sign of Spring, and a sight to gladden the heart- almond blossom.  This is what the Algarve in February means to me, though the sky may not always be so blue. (but that’s next week’s walk)  Again I’m taking you up into the hills, and you’ll need a map to follow. Our start point is the village of Cruz de Alta Mora, inland from the River Guadiana.  The road dips and sways through unheard of villages.  There are occasional bus stops along the way, but nary a person waiting.  Does this look like an inviting place to start a walk?

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I rather thought so.  The sign pointed towards the village of Soalheira, and a trail led off through the welcoming carpet of false yellowhead.

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You might have noticed a tendency I have to find walks with hills in them?  The walking guide I was using gives an indication of the ‘ups and downs’, and I always look to see how strenuous it might become. (but then often do the walk anyway, if it’s not too long)  In this case the steepest incline comes right at the end of the walk.  One of the signboards in the village of Alta Mora described the trail as the way of the cabra Algarvia– the Algarvean Goat- so I shouldn’t have been at all surprised to come upon a pen full of them.

Did you spot the ruined windmill on the top of the hill?  Or the ginger cat in that sparse grass? ( you can click on the photo to make it easier)  I was headed upwards, but initially it wasn’t too steep.  If you wanted the view from the top, that comes at a cost…

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And then it’s far behind you, and you can see the next village ahead.  Looking back at my photos I can see I got a little carried away on this walk, but it was quite hard not to.  Aside from the blossom, I am enamoured of the wild cistus.  I find this countryside almost impossible not to love.

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After Caldeirao, the trail idles through the greenest of valleys, then rises somewhat surprisingly to a tarmac road.  There, nestled in the landscape and unmentioned in the guide, a tiny cafe awaits.  This is the point at which all thoughts of walking might well disappear out of the window.  Or, more appropriately, off the enticing balcony.  Laundry dangles over the valley below.  The scene is only despoiled by a cacophony of compounded dogs.  A puppy in the cafe garden twitches its nose at visitors, while Mum snoozes determinedly in the sun.

I know that many of you will be disappointed at the non-appearance of cake.  I will humbly make amends in my next walk.  For now, I need to head on to the idyllic, though partially abandoned, villages of Funchosa em Cima and de Baixo. (upper and lower)

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It’s a steep climb back out of the valley and then roll down into the next, Ribeira do Beliche.  I spot a donkey in a courtyard, his back firmly turned to me.  I edge closer, but pause when my husband reminds me they do a wicked back kick.  A shot under cover of planters will have to do!

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There are river crossings to be made.  A few uneven stones straddle the water, and I end up with one wet foot.  No matter- it’s a warm day. Crouched by the side of the water, I spot some tiny delicate orchids.  Funny how similar they are to some I’ve seen on the cliffs at home.  Alas, my shots are horribly blurred, so I’ll simply tell you that next week I have a different orchid, which I found very exciting.

I cross the stream a second time, a little more successfully, and then begins that last, long slog up the hill, which leads, eventually, back to our start point.   Not for the feint hearted!  You don’t want to watch me, so I’ll end with a delicacy of blossom.  Is it ever possible to have too much?

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Phew!  I have to say I’m rather tired after all that, and just have the energy to point you towards Walking Trails in the Algarve, where this walk appears, right near the end, at p. 144.   Full details of how to get there are given in the guide.  And now, the kettle on, I think! 

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Thank you all for your tolerance while I was away.  I tried to keep up as best I could, but managed to miss a few of you.  Amends made here, I hope. Once again I have some wonderful contributions.  If you possibly can, please find the time to read them.  And maybe even join me on a walk next week?  Shorter, I promise!  Details on Jo’s Monday walk page or the logo above.

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Drake’s timing was simply wonderful!

Hit the road

Tobias always makes such good use of his ‘props’  :

Walk on Beach

Debbie just can’t resist a shot or two on the way to work!  Or anywhere, really…

Misty Walk Along the Thames

Fancy making your own Tequila?  You just need blue agave plants!  Cheers, Jackie!

Monday Walk : Tequila, Mexico

Amy takes us back to visit the exotic Ringling home.  What a beauty!

Monday Walk : Ca’ d’Zan

The national parks in the States look larger than life, don’t they?  I’d love to visit!

Arches National Park, Utah

Somewhere else I wouldn’t mind to try- Hawaii!  Have a wander with Carol :

A Walk Along Front Street

Waking to snow is not my idea of fun, but in the Rockies you’d expect it, and Anabel looks pleased :

Canadian Rockies : Num-ti-jah Lodge

My daughter spent her birthday and 3rd wedding anniversary in Edinburgh, and fully endorses Smidge’s recommendations :

Edinburgh ‘must do’ : Edinburgh Castle

Gilly would like my goats, wouldn’t she?  Her dogs might not be so keen :

Walking the Goat to the Bowling Green

And Jill just scraped in, in the early hours of this morning.  I haven’t even had time to read it yet, but I will!

Biking the shores of Inle

I woke to snow this morning, looking oh, so pretty, outside my window.  I haven’t had time to ‘enjoy’ it yet, but hopefully?  Once again, my thanks to all.  For those of you I saw on Saturday, Vincent and Flavia were fabulous!  Have a great week, and see you soon.

 

 

 

151 comments

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    1. The more photos the merrier 🙂 Can I ask you what your name is? You don’t have to tell me if you’d rather not. I’ll still be appreciative of you joining me anyway. 🙂

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  7. Of all the vicarious walks I’ve enjoyed with you, this one is my favorite. (So far.) Those blossoms and wildflowers and rustic doorways! Looking at hiking trails in a book can often be misleading with regards to climbs – the difficuty factor is relative – so it’s great you found a book that at least tries to let you know what you’re in for. Happy Spring, Jo! 🌸🌷🌺🌼

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    1. Thank you so much, Julie! 🙂 I think it’s probably one of my favourites too. We had very mixed weather and this was truly a sparkling day. And incomparable scenery and blossom 🙂 Hope all is going well in your world?

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  8. This was a hearty walk with all these hills! Beautiful springtime photos, Jo. I love the almond blossoms, and I love the blue sky touching the green grass and those sweet little yellow flowers. I can almost feel the exhilaration of walking in such gorgeous meadows!

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    1. I almost said that I didn’t want the walk ever to end, Debbie, but with all those ups and downs, maybe that would be an overstatement. 🙂 But you know what I mean! Thanks for your lovely company.

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  10. Beautiful scenery and botanicals Jo – it’s getting me excited for Spring! As I write this I’m down in Mississippi where the the weather’s warmer and the birds about..and reading your post has truly got me in the spirit. Enough of this winter business.

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  11. Such a delightful walk Jo 🙂 I can see why you love this area so much not only is the scenery gorgeous but you get such a sense of calm and peacefulness from your post and the charms of a slower paced lifestyle! The almond blossom is so delicate and pretty – I simply love that soft shade of pink. Hope you’ve had a great week and have a lovely weekend too 🙂

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    1. Hi Rosemay 🙂 Thank you for your patience with my silly questions. I’m feeling very unsettled and ‘restless’ right now. It’s a crisp frosty morning and I should be full of the joys … I’m at the stage where I’ve looked at all my photos a time or two and there’s nothing very exciting in the immediate future- just a few family ‘concerns’. Soon cured! Me and the camera will take ourselves out in a while. I had a magnificent scramble on our local beach yesterday, avoiding the tide. 🙂 Thanks for asking. I’m fine- hope you are too.

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      1. I enjoy your walks and questions too Jo – keeps me on my toes!! The beach walk sounds invigorating and a great pick-me-up! I will send you the link to my post for this week as it fits with a walking theme and have been meaning to join in for a while. In the meantime hope you have a lovely weekend 🙂

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  13. Lovely blossom Jo. And what a long walk! Crikey I bowed at at the coffee shop. I can walk for a long distance, but no ups and downs, and after 5 nights on an inflatable bed that likes to deflate, I have aches where I didn’t know I could ache! Now I am back home with a reliable connection I will try and get another Shrewsbury walk up for you. So much to do though. And I am glad to say I have seen daffodils AND blossom – but today was wet, wet, wet 😦

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    1. Good to have you back, Jude. Didn’t realise how much I’d missed you! 🙂 But priorities, lady! A walk will wait- stick with short posts 🙂 This one was 11km- not too bad for length but a lot of uppy-downy. 🙂 Beautiful, though.
      I guess that’ll be my bed when I arrive then, huh? Don’t lay on any style for me- I’m not used to it 🙂 🙂 Smiling, Jude. Glad it’s all happening for you.

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  16. Where ever you go Jo you find the most wonderful walks to take us on. I loved every thing about this one, you can never show us too many of the delicate and beautiful spring blossom, and the donkey behind the pots, and the goats and the derelict but oh so photogenic village doors (Norm would love them) You even managed to find us a cup of coffee. I look forward eagerly to your next walk. Now to go check out the rest of your willing walkers.

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    1. Thanks so much sweetheart. 🙂 The rain is dripping down my windows right now. Good to be home 😦 Funnily enough I thought of Norm’s challenge. I have some lovely windows and doors and was going to share them on Dawn’s ‘lingering look’ tomorrow, but maybe I can link to Norm too. 🙂

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