Time to return to the Algarve for this week’s walk, on the estuary of the Rio Arade. It’s a good distance from my normal stomping ground, but I had reason to be curious about Sitio das Fontes. Earlier this year, Dave Sheldrake began to conduct photography walks, for a donation to charity. I haven’t managed to go on one yet, but my interest was piqued when he went to this particular site. I had to take a look for myself.
Sitio das Fontes is an area of wild parkland formed around natural springs (or fontes). Sitting in tidal salt marshes, it’s a wonderful place to explore the diversity of nature. The tidal mill overlooks a wide stretch of nature in the raw, with birds and bees aplenty.
Captivated by the tiny frogs, I’m getting ahead of myself. The parkland lies just north of the village of Estombar, and on a sunny weekday in early March I had the place almost to myself. An old waterwheel lethargically guards the entrance to the park.
Follow the path round to the tidal mill, or dally by the spring. There are plenty of good sized rocks to sit on and contemplate nature, or simply daydream a while. A new-looking bridge crosses the spring and you can take the long view or gaze deep into the clear waters.
The map at the entrance to the park wasn’t very clear, or maybe I hadn’t been paying enough attention. It didn’t seem to matter in the stillness of the lovely morning, the snail suspended somnolently on his stilts, and bee on blossom.
Beyond the tidal mill, a path leads off around the estuary. The water was very low, exposing vast tracts of salt marsh and sludge, but still it was a pleasure to follow. Shrubs and all manner of plant line the path, so progress is slow as you stoop to identify or smile in admiration.
Incredible to find two different types of bee orchid within feet of each other! The path ends on the edge of the Arade. Looking across the estuary I wasn’t sure if it might be possible to cross over the mud flats with the water so low. Good sense prevailed. I didn’t really want to end up floundering, but I was curious about the ruins on the far shore. No great hardship to retrace my steps.
A less obvious path runs along this shoreline, but with the bonus of more orchids, some tiny iris, not yet open to morning, and a large cricket who made me jump. Beyond the ruins the path begins to ascend quite steeply. I climb high enough to appreciate the view.
But it’s not apparent where the path might lead. It’s getting warm, the insects are buzzing and it feels like a good time to head back. There are picnic tables, a children’s playground and a visitor centre, still closed at the time. Best of all, the tranquil and lovely spring.
How very different from the thermal springs in Bath, that I wrote about last week. Yet all part of our strange and wonderful natural world.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s walk. Details of how to get there are contained in the links, and of how to join me, on my Jo’s Monday walk page . Now for some sharing. You’ll have your work cut out, because I have heaps of walks! Please make sure to visit anyone that you don’t know. Many thanks to all my contributors, and to you folk in the armchairs, it’s time to put the kettle on.
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You might like to compare Alison’s walk from a couple of years ago? Your secret’s well and truly out now, Aly!
The most beautiful rainbow and frescoes from Drake this week :
AND the bonus of a trip to Monmartre :
Lots of garden shots and a cute little bug from Lady Lee :
Sunny California, sunny Jackie!
Day 7 So Cal Bakersfield CA to Las Vegas
Becky always knows the way to my heart, and to some lovely places too. This one’s in the Alentejo :
A short stroll around the beautiful city of Serpa
This, much closer to ‘home’ :
Did you ‘walk’ with Vanessa last week? This one’s not for the faint-hearted, but shows off Majorca’s true beauty :
Soller, Mallorca, Spain/The ‘Sa Costera’ Hike along the remote and picturesque coastline…
Sue, meanwhile, is tootling gently down Memory Lane. I hope you’re well now, hon?
Postcards from my Past/3- Cornwall’s Old Mines
Cathy is still busy making memories. This is fabulous!
Sankei-en Garden & the Shanghai Yokohama Friendship Garden
While Mari shows us how to live a long and happy life in a little known but beautiful part of Andalusia :
Walking in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park, Spain
Exquisite prose and the nostalgia of the end of Spring, from Susan :
Park Ridge Trail, Morro Bay State Park
And an English version, with lambs and wild garlic. Please visit! This lady is new to me :
Late spring hike in the Manifold Valley
Miriam triumphs in adversity! You can, too!
And Paula proudly shows off some of her lovely heritage. Go on- take a look!
Jaspa seems to like our English heritage. What’s more British than Tower Bridge?
Sam’s Ses Challenge #18: Bridge
And I bet Woolly is a fan of those famous Austrian tortes. Double rations this week :
Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk21_Vienna-2
Andrew has been striding out in Valencia. Not like him at all!
Travels in Spain, Valencia City of Arts and Sciences and a 12 Mile Walk
You might wonder what the natural world looks like in Israel. Take a walk with Lisa to find out :
That’s it for another week! It’s a Bank Holiday in the UK next Monday but I’ll still be walking. I hope you’ll join me. Take care till then!
restlessjo 
Jo,
This looks like a great place for a walk. I could imagine hiking along all these water filled ponds and marshes with Jerome. He would love the frogs and colourful flowers.
Thanks again for adding me to your Monday walk list, I really do hope you’ll make it to the island sometime.
Vanessa
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There was a high up route too, Vanessa. Ideal for you energetic types 🙂 🙂 You do need good insect repellent though.
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That sounds even more exciting but those little buggers love me…not sure the repellent would help in my case! 😩
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It’s much better if you don’t taste so good x
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Lovely post Jo, looks such an interesting place. It is well known as a good bird watching spot, may even tempt me away from the Guadiana when we return!
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It’s worth a try, Robert. I’ll look forward to it. 🙂 🙂
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Nice
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Thank you 🙂
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Something different this week!
http://junkboattravels.blogspot.ca/2017/04/dirty-laundry.html
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Not dirty laundry, Jackie! 🙂 🙂
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I know the whole of Portugal cannot look this good, but you manage to find some cracking bits of it to explore. Every time I see your photos and read about your walks I wonder why I am not living in this paradise. I am very glad you didn’t go floundering in the mud – it doesn’t bear thinking about!
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To be fair, Jude, quite a lot of it does! Ask Becky 🙂 🙂 And I did have the other half to restrain me, or who knows… 🙂
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Thank goodness for Mick 🙂
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A gorgeous walk with equally gorgeous photos. I love the high up view over the estuary, and the very first photo is simply stunning – it looks like nature’s version of an infinity pool 🙂
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Complete with a little pond weed, Eunice, but you’re right- it does! 🙂 🙂 I have a feeling you’d like it there.
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As usual, a delightful walk, thanks for taking us along with you.
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I don’t suppose I’d do half so much wandering if you didn’t come along, Mari. 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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I love the water reflections of the first pictures! 🙂
Looks like an interesting area to discover.
Have a nice Monday!!
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I’ve always wanted to sail up the Rio Arade to Silves, Eleazar, but not got there yet. It’s a lovely area to explore yet not far from ‘civilisation’. 🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot!
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So many things to enjoy here, Jo, especially the little frog in the floating grass pad and the “lethargic” water wheel. 🙂 Summer seems to be in full force there in the Algarve. I’m sure you’re very happy to be there.
Thanks for linking to my blog. I never seem time to do anything but go out and explore, edit photos and post a blog here and there. Work is always the order of the day! So thanks for thinking of me. I do need to get back to Portugal. 🙂
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Sadly I’m still in the UK, Cathy, but I had a couple of walks from the March visit not yet posted. I have difficulty keeping to datal order. 🙂 🙂 Mick is really busy with work so I’m entertaining myself. Thanks, hon. Enjoy the bits around work!
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fabulous! you’ll have to return next year and see if you can catch a shot of the elusive – yet fabulous – Naked Hanging Man Orchid! (I kid you not – look em up!!!)
lovely shots Jo as always – next time give us a shout and Kat the dog can show you some more paths 🙂
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Back in October for a longer spell, Aly, and I’ll definitely look you up. And I’ll most certainly have to go orchid hunting 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin! Love to the better half 🙂
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Just beautiful!
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It was a good discovery, Dawn. Another lovely day! 🙂 🙂
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Mother Nature at her finest! Fabulous walk, Jo!
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Lucky, or what? 🙂 🙂 Thanks, Jill! Have a good week!
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A natural habitat for frogs and those lovely orchids. What a lovely walk Jo 🙂
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Thanks, Arlene. 🙂 I’ll have to go back later in the year and see what else I can find.
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Stunning photos!
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Thank you! It really was beautiful that morning. X
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What a gorgeous walk Jo. These bee orchids are lovely and that frog is just too cute! 🙂
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Isn’t he just? I could have played hopalong all day 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin! Have a good week!
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You too Jo. Croak! 🐸
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🙂
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oh Jo this is beautiful, no wonder you recommended it to us. Wish we had made it, have to save it now for the autumn. Am glad though that common sense (Mike) prevailed on crossing those mud flats!!!
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It should be a good place for birding, Becky, though unobservant me didn’t spot much other than an elusive heron. Definitely a place for the anti-bug spray as I think I got well nibbled there. 🙂 🙂
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