Jo’s Monday walk : Martinhal to Baleeira

Embracing the sea again this week, I’m in the far west of the Algarve, just before you reach the mighty cliffs of Sagres.  This somewhat lunar landscape is not at all what I’m accustomed to. (Is it just me or does the rock below bear a passing resemblance to a Storm Trooper?)

Yes, I thought so!  His smile’s a bit crooked and evil.  It’s a beautiful bay, reached from a turn off on the N125, signposted Praia do Martinhal.  A smart looking resort overlooks the beach, but nestled below is an agreeably casual restaurant.  Portuguese families have brought the children to Sunday lunch, and are chattering away like magpies.  

A small girl sits on the sand while Dad tussles with a kite, strongwilled in the offshore breeze.  Two fit-looking youngsters carry paddleboards down to the water’s edge, launch them smoothly and paddle away.  Out in the bay windsurfers zip to and fro, with varying degrees of accomplishment.  I simply watch.  The only activity I’m any good at is walking.

The other half has found a comfortable spot, sheltered from the wind, and I’m off round the headland to see what I can find.  A generous sweep of beach ends in more rocks, with a tempting path mounting to the cliff top.

I’m picking my way fairly carefully when I hear music and laughter.  A cautious peep over the cliff edge reveals a group of young folk setting up a barbecue on a slab of rock.  Someone has been very busy with a brush and a pot or two of paint.

Across the bay the towering cliffs of Sagres loom closer, and below them the fishing port of Baleeira.  There’s a small strip of beach at Baleeira which is also walkable from Sagres town.  A stiff breeze keeps the windsurfers scudding swiftly.  I look back to check how far I’ve come.  Not too far but it’s time to return and collect the husband.

Now, where did I leave him?

It’s not a long walk but, if you like to feel the breeze in your hair and you’re not afraid of heights, you might enjoy it.  This was a small part of my birthday celebrations and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I should be back to ‘normal’ next week.  I apologise if my visits to you are spasmodic.  I’m struggling with a poor Internet connection and I intend to enjoy the last few days of my Algarve time with my daughter.  Time together is very precious.  Meantime I have some great walks to share, so thank you everybody.

Tish seems to have found her very own path to paradise :

On the Path to Harakopio ~ Peroulia Dreaming 13

As strange titles go, I give full credit to Ellen for this one :

Going for a Crazy Cabbagetown Walk in Atlanta, Georgia- Pt 1

And Cathy’s is a bit of a tongue teaser too :

Budapest : The Great Synagogue & a stroll down Vaci Utca in Belvaros

Mari’s walk is a little more sombre, but no less beautiful :

A Walk on the Ramparts of Ypres

And Woolly commemorates the Australian deceased from World War II :

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk42_Windmill-Site

Roll up!  Roll up!  Step right this way to see Violet’s pink elephant :

A circus treat

I share some wonderful memories of Lucca with Jesh (and Gilly!)

TIME- Where did it go?

You can usually rely on Jackie for a…

Flourish!

I don’t have any grandkids to play with like Sandra, but I did borrow one recently :

Walk

Indra is sharing spectacular scenery in this week’s walk :

Bay of Fundy…. Magic on the Rocks

Kathrin loves to hike in the mountains.  This one sounds like a song!

Hike up Mount Umunhum

My lovely friend, Pauline, has been rambling in the Australian outback.  You’ll love her findings!

Kings Canyon, time to sketch…

And here’s some artwork from Susan that I know she’ll love too :

Hunting a City-wide Art Installation : Ai Weiwei’s Good Fences Make Good Neighbours

Have a great week everyone, and I’ll be back in England next weekend.  Once again, apologies if I miss anyone.

 

 

 

131 comments

  1. I hope you’ve just continued to drink in every precious moment! Gorgeous blues in both sky and sea. The clarity of the water and being able to see the rock at the water’s edge is very special!

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  3. Those hues of blue are hard to beat! In general in the Algarve (or the area you frequent), would you say the beaches are mostly sand or pebbles? Such a beautiful place – it is luring me big time. I hope you enjoyed your precious time with your daughter, Jo! Have a safe and smooth trip back to your colder home. Feel free to share my last post next Monday. It covers many walks/hikes and lots of photographs. Thank you!!

    http://www.roamingabout.com/southern-utahs-national-parks-12-day-adventure-between-house-sits/

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  8. Hope you found hubby! 😀 Jo, I look at your photos and see BLUE, wonderful sheer perfection of the sea and sky blue…heavenly. Enjoy your time there and have a wonderful time with your daughter – you know all the best places to visit!❤️

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  9. Pingback: Early November walk by the canal | I used to be indecisive...

  12. Jo, thanks for a lovely walk on a day when I have the voice of a croaky frog and am working at getting better. I haven’t been out except to check the mail today, but now I’ve been back to Sagres, a place I visited in the mid-seventies. I just remember loving Portugal, but not too much more. I’ll have to check my journals to see what I have written about it.

    janet

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    1. Not this particular trip, Jude, though I have been before. Funnily enough I took Lisa and Leo there when they were over last time (which we think must have been about 10 years ago!) Heading for Lagos today, if all goes well. The skies are still the clearest blue 🙂 🙂

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      1. Leo not with you this visit? I’m sure you will be having fun whatever the weather, always nice to have some mother daughter time. Blue sky here now after a very dull looking morning.

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      2. Leo was but he’s prone to migraines so we’ve had to leave him in bed today. Lisa isn’t letting it cramp her style too much, bless her. The white sangria and goats cheese salad is good xx

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  15. Is the tide right in so there’s more sand when it’s out? Rocks look good but I’d prefer to walk on sand or up on the clifftops. It’ very beautiful though, I wonder if you can go out to the tiny islands, I’m sure there must be mermaids there x:-)x

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    1. I think you’re definitely right about the mermaids, Gilly. I can imagine them combing their tresses 🙂 🙂 It’s a very long sweep of sand, with a pebbly cove at one end, and then the rocks again at the other end of the bay. A bit windy, but I didn’t mind that. Hope all’s well with you, hon.

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  16. Such a dreamy place, Jo. I’m so jealous!! I would love to take off my coat for a while, but winter is showing its face too early here!! Enjoy 🙂

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  17. Thank you for that extra big dose of blue, Jo. Much needed today. And many thanks too for the shout-out. Am currently re-organising my writing space and it’s been making me very grumpy, so it’s especially good to zoom off to the Algarve for some seaside soothingness. Aaaah! Instead of Grrrr!

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  19. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
    Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
    And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
    And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

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