Silence in the Salt pans

Couldn’t you just lose yourself in this silence?  The end of another hot day in the Algarve, and the sun sinking gracefully into the salt pans.  The scene was so different when I walked out to Quatro Aguas earlier in the day.

A different quality of silence and not so easy to savour.  Almost harsh.  I like the gentler, reflective tones, when you can daydream a little.

How does silence look to you?  We had a different silence again here in the UK this morning, with a soft blanket of snow.

97 comments

    1. Slithered along to the hairdresser at lunchtime, then t’ai chi, Carol. It was nice and bright this afternoon and a lot has thawed but I can hear the crunch outside on the frozen paths. I shall be watching Rafa in the morning, thanks. 🙂 🙂

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  2. I love silence and your photos exude that. Same here these days: a fresh snow carpet. But, I’m not outside to enjoy the accompanying silence (too cold and no time). It looks very pretty through the house and car windows. 🙂

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    1. I took a few shots through the window, Liesbet. 🙂 🙂 A lot of it has gone now but it’s going to freeze hard. Ice skating tomorrow (or watching Australian Open tennis, which seems a better option 🙂 ).

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  4. Jo, a beautiful contrast of photos; the first one is filled with peace and gentle silence, the last is epic and I imagine a symphony. I enjoy your thoughts on silence and I love the one on those light snow days, a gentle crunch when you walk outside, no traffic about – pure peaceful stillness. We had a ferocious storm last night; a tree on power line blocking the main road, fence panels downs! Not silent at all!

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    1. That doesn’t sound like much fun, Annika. I was half tempted to go and frolic, but only half 🙂 🙂 I was still in my jamas and watching the Australian Open tennis so I made do with a few out of the window. Such nice skies!

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  7. That last shot is especially fine. So crisp. The salt pans are strange places aren’t they, especially as you say, in the full light of day. Reminds me of the soda lakes in Kenya – much beloved by flamingos of course, but they always looked as if their legs had been boiled.

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      2. Slippy slithery mush now but it was ankle deep this morning. I shall need to do my ballerina act in the morning after it freezes, or better yet stay home and watch tennis. 🙂 🙂

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  9. Very interesting post. You are right, silence is not the same, it can either be harsh or comforting depending on where we are. Beautiful photos! We have snow too in Chicago, it’s beautiful – cold, but beautiful!

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  12. The last photo is glorious. I could stand and look at the view for a while, contemplating the meaning of life. The first image looks a bit strange, but that might be on my computer. To be honest a blanket of snow IS the ultimate in a silent photo. All noise seems to be absorbed, especially in a town where traffic is stilled by it. Just finished mopping up in the conservatory – AGAIN – the rain must be coming from a different direction this winter. Such a bore.

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    1. You can take that shot a time or two when you’re here. It looks different depending on time and tide. 🙂 🙂 Actually your sound of silence had me thinking of deserted city streets on a night, because of the song. Last time it snowed I was out in the garden, but I restricted myself to a few shots through the window today. Bit nippy for jamas but the skies were lovely.

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  13. These salt-pans look amazing and look quite soft and welcoming. The only ones I’ve seen before were in Thailand where the extremely hot weather and harsh burning sun under which the coolie-hatted men and women work, gave the scene a hellish aspect. And yes, I can feel the silence there.

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    1. I wouldn’t much like to work them in the Summer months, Mari. They look so different at different times of day, depending on the light on them and how high the tide. 🙂 🙂

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  15. Woweee. Those salt pans are a marvel to look at. And that blue sky too. You could stand there admiring that place all day. Amazing photos, Jo. Love the first shot a lot too – looks a bit black and white, also looks like it isn’t. Wonderfully done 🙂

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      1. We also had a bit of slushy snow yesterday, but it should be melting off today and tomorrow. I’m headed to Richmond tomorrow to take Sarah her Christmas gifts. She’s been too busy for me to come down until now!! 🙂 When will you go back to the Algarve?

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      1. It’s a good busy, Jo, as she’s been writing freelance articles for Richmond Magazine and had some big articles due. We had a fun time together, although it was short. I guess you’re already in Tavira, enjoying warmer climes! 🙂

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      2. Yes we’re here Cathy. Sitting in the sunshine with wine and going to a Fado concert soon. That’s great for Sarah. Oh to be young again! But being aged has it’s moments xx

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      3. That sounds wonderful, Jo. How long will you stay there this time? Have you planned your move yet? As for being young again, I just told Mike the other day I wouldn’t go back in time for anything. I like my age now, except for the few aches and pains here and there. I feel much more calm about life in general. 🙂

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  18. Pingback: Silence in the Salt pans — restlessjo | O LADO ESCURO DA LUA

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