Jo’s Monday walk : Blossom and chimney pots

Feeling a little fragile as I write this- too much dancing, wine and excitement!- so please excuse me if I just stroll gently with you in the Algarve sunshine.  São Bras de Alportel makes an excellent base for walking, surrounded as it is by softly rolling countryside.  Allow me to indulge my current obsession with chimney pots…. and blossom, of course.

Starting from the former pousada, with grand views to the hills, you can follow a couple of simple trails.  Notice boards will advise what you need to be watchful for, or you can simply enjoy being there, drenched in the soft colours of Spring.

At a crossroads the sign points towards the ‘miradouro das castanhas’, the viewing point of the chestnuts.  Curiosity would have me look, but the group I’m walking with turn in the other direction.  I make a mental note to return, and patiently follow.  Minutes later we pause at a fonte- one of many underground springs in the Algarve.  A poem enhances the old stone and one of our group attempts a translation.  A squeal of laughter interrupts.  Another of the ladies has twirled the handle of the ‘nora’ (well) with a little too much energy, and is treated to a swift gush of water.

There was very little water and a lot of dry riverbeds when I walked in this area, but since then a day or three of torrential rain has brought the countryside alive again.  Flipflops or sandals and a towel may be needed.  Better still a sense of balance or a walking stick.

Rounding a hill it’s often possible to come upon a herd of sheep, with their faint air of apprehension and surprise.  Washing flutters appealingly on a line, while lemons ripen and flowers I don’t recognise make patterns on a wall.

This is cork territory and some of the trails lead beneath these gnarled beauties.  Someone has a sense of humour, but I’m not sure that I approve.  The ‘knight’, on the other hand, can only be greeted with a smile.  But I did promise you chimney pots, I remember.

Every village has it’s own variations, some crumbly with age, some new.  The village of São Romão has a lovely church and a deep sense of serenity.

It also has a a restaurant that we favour very often.  I’ll leave you with a little something sour and a sweet treat, to enjoy with your cuppa.

Excuse me for rambling this week.  I’m so looking forward to the frigid air of the north east tomorrow evening.  Please read and share the following walks, and join me with one of your own, if you’d like.  Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

Jude does take us to some beautiful places!  And did you spot a few circles in a square?

Garden Portrait: Stourhead

And quite often, Drake excels himself too :

Symph in green ‘n white

For those of you craving warmth, why not join Elaine in the desert?

In Search of an Oasis

Jackie always likes a large one of these!

Slice of Life

And just look what Irene’s found for us this week!

Sunny Lakefront

But this one from Ting simply has to be my walk of the week.  Don’t miss it!

Walking with Elephants

That’s it for now.  Not too many to read.  Hope you have a great week, wherever you are.

145 comments

  1. I love, love, love the blossoms. And the architecture of São Romão. How I wish I could just sit on a bench right now and savor the looks, feels and scents of those pink blossoms. In California, these scenes wouldn’t look too out of place – the flowers and the lemon trees. But, here in the high desert, spring is still far away. Hope you had a smooth trip home and you don’t have to deal with snow and ice after your sunny (and shaky :-)) Algarve interlude, Jo.

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    1. The snow has gone and there may even be a hint of blue in the sky, Liesbet. 🙂 🙂 Tired this morning after flight delays but I’m home and slowly readjusting. Those blossoms are just a lovely memory. 🙂

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      4. I had a bit of drama with a beeping smoke alarm while we were away and noone could get in to stop it, but fortunately the snow distracted them. 😦

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  6. Hi RJo! It’s been so long – I’ve been neglecting WordPress, but glad to be back reading your walks. I love the cascading pink blossoms, and always enjoy your Algarve photos. Sending you good wishes – Susan

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  7. A heavenly walk and it’s a delight to to soak in the beautiful and warm colours of Spring … the blossom is so pretty and tender and I love the sight of the lemon tree. Hope it isn’t too much of a shock coming home to UK weather! At least most of the snow has melted! Xxxxx

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    1. I was so pleased to get a message from home yesterday, Annika, to say the sun had finally come out and the snow was melting. Phew! 🙂 🙂 It’s been a stormy few days here but we managed one last walk this morning and are heading home very soon.

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  8. What a glorious walk, Jo. I can’t believe how early spring has arrived there in the Algarve. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I love your chimney pots and blossoms, the laundry on the lines, and the sheep, as well as all the whitewashed buildings against the blue sky. I can’t wait for springtime here, if it ever arrives!

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    1. It’s any time from late January here, Cathy, and the blossom is already past it’s best. It’s been stormy for the past week but with sunny intervals and the much needed rain. We managed one last walk with the Striders this morning, up in the hills, and had to wade a couple of rivers which were dry last week. 🙂 🙂 Just cleaning bathrooms and stuff then we head ‘home’. It’s been great!

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      4. I lost a good half the morning online. Needed to chat and cheer myself up. A friend from a lot of years ago just died suddenly, and I have back from the Algarve syndrome. 🙂

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      6. Thanks, hon! Yes- bought myself some Mother’s Day tulips (this Sunday over here) and some cashew and cranberries this morning and ate the lot. (not the tulips 🙂 )

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  10. Almost missed this as for some reason I didn’t get my usual email notification. Fabulous photos and gorgeous blossoms, it’s hard to pick a favourite but I think it just has to be the first one 🙂

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  12. Such a change from all the northern hemisphere snowy posts. Beautiful blossom, quirky cork tree and of course varied chi menu pots, all for the pleasure of it, without needing to walk. I hope you don’t miss this too much!

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    1. We already have the long face in anticipation of home, Meg. 🙂 🙂 Well, not really. There are a couple of things we miss, but the snow isn’t one of them. A certain small boy finally got to use his sledge, so that’s one happy person, anyway. 🙂 Looking forward to seeing them this weekend. Blossom petal hugs, darlin! And Gilly, coming to Warsaw- fantastic! 🙂 🙂

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  14. Dancing, wine, excitement? Do tell! Your opening line had me picturing you as a Jane Austen character writing her quippy letter the morning after a ball. Meanwhile, your part of the Algarve looks to be blossoming beautifully.

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    1. Actually a 50s, 60s and 70s night with some crazy people, AG, but on top of flamenco in Jerez and various outings with walkers and neighbours I think I need to come ‘home’ for a rest. 🙂 🙂

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  15. Your walk only enhanced the feeling of waiting for spring that I have these days, Jo. My walk in the park this morning was sepia and grey, the first at ground level, the second in the sky. It’s cold and very windy, probably a rainy front coming in. Ahh, well, it’s been a lovely day in many ways, so the weather will just have to be ignored. 🙂 Happy Monday (almost over) to you!

    janet

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  17. This is a beautiful post. I’m so jealous. We’ve just had another 30cm of snow. (Our snowiest winter since 1961 apparently.) It’s pretty, but I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll see grass before May, and blossoms before July! I knew we’d pay for last year’s mild spring and beautiful summer, but I’m done paying LOL. I really need to figure out where I can retire that has early blossom trees and ocean! I did actually get out and take pics though. If you can’t beat it – shoot it! https://www.facebook.com/PhotosWithFinesse/posts/1513575562044674

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    1. I’m feeling blessed to have missed the worst of it. (I hope 🙂 ) The Algarve and all of Southern Spain has been wet and wild these past few days, but we’ve had sunshine for most of the 5 weeks I’ve been here. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I think I am, Hanna. 🙂 🙂 Though just this afternoon we sat inside a cafe because there were a few showers. On the TV it was showing footage of the terrible weather in the Algarve! A mini tornado had hit Faro and electric storms along the coast. The weather is a little crazy.

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      2. Yes, we were in the bar that lost it’s roof just 3 weeks ago! Faro often takes the brunt of any bad weather. We still managed a walk this morning and a picnic before we set off home this afternoon. 🙂

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