I can get a bit obsessive sometimes, so when it was suggested to me that the area around Punta del Moral, in Huelva province, has more than its share of beautiful, white bridal broom right now… well, nothing for it but another trip to Spain! By one of those strange quirks of fate, Todos a Caminhar were holding an event there this Sunday, which gave me just the excuse I needed.
I’ve introduced you to Todos a Caminhar before. It’s an initiative to keep people healthy by getting them out walking. Each Sunday at 10 they meet at a different venue, and on this particular weekend it was a coordinated effort with the council in Ayamonte, across the Guadiana in Spain. Coachloads converged on Punta del Moral from around the Algarve, and the locals came too. There are always a few characters at these things, and the gentleman with the strange horn amused himself, and the crowd, with a spinning top and a hoop.
There was a great feeling of camaraderie, free drinks and even a small cake- don’t tell! People lined up in semi-organised fashion after a bit of a warm up and, with a minimum of jostling, we were away. Soon the crowd thinned out as people found their own walking pace. There were 3 different walk lengths, from 4.7 to 10.5km, to cater for all abilities.
It’s a very watery world, out there on the salt flats. A lazy amalgam of river and sea. Much of the heather looks like scrub with the tide out, especially at this time of year. In summer it glows a beautiful lilac, but it’s too hot then to walk in this open terrain. The river wanders wilfully, twisting and turning, often sluggish as the tide nudges in and, just occasionally, gushing and frothing with enthusiasm.
Our path takes us close to Ayamonte, clearly visible across the channel, and then turns its back to head for the ocean. A lone fisherman searches for shellfish to eke out the diet while, beyond him, the fancy resort of Isla Canela fills the horizon with empty apartments.
In the opposite direction, the lighthouse at Isla Cristina commands attention, blinking in bright sunlight. Around we go again, pausing only to glug a little water, and admire a cluster of cistus, who seem to be a long way from home.
The broom are not so prevalent here, but thronged the road in welcome as we approached, and are there to nod goodbye. Before we left I persuaded the other half to take a final look at Isla Canela. We once considered buying there, but are very glad we didn’t.
For a boat lover like me, the marina is a magnet, but there’s no heart to the place. I’m consoled by a single, shocking pink Livingstone daisy- old friends of mine. And, on the very edge of the resort, stop briefly by Ermita de Nuestra Senhora de Carmen. I’d narrowly missed opening time- 11.30-1.30 on Sundays, but if I’m ever around on 16th July, I might get to see Our Lady carried to the estuary.
After all that walking, you wouldn’t begrudge a little something sweet, would you? And packed full of healthy fruit!
Spoilt for choice again this week! There’s a bumper bundle of walks- please do visit as many as you can. And feel free to join me here on Jo’s Monday walk with one of your own. I’ll try and make you welcome.
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Debs didn’t have enough energy to haul us right up the hill. I would never suggest she should eat more cake!
Burials in Old Calton Cemetery
Janet seems to be feeling a touch prickly :
Monday walk…This yard looks sharp!
Not an easy one to spell, but this looks like a beautiful place, Natalie!
Fishy stories with Jackie 🙂
If I was looking for an idyllic place to live, I could well be tempted by Alice :
I seem to be traveling backwards with Carol!
And Geoff revives some of my memories, as well as his own :
Walking With The Wind At My Back : Part Four
I normally expect Karen to take me walking in Australia, but this one fooled me!
Gunta takes us down among the Redwoods- a stunning sequence!
Irene assures me that the deer and squirrels are coping well :
But I couldn’t stop shivering when I read this one! 🙂
Glad to see things are improving down Lisa’s way!
Walking in Blue Skies in February
And Margaret has completely shrugged off the snow, and found a robin :
A winter walk: footprints, snowy sheep- and just one robin
While Sandra had me peering out of the window in delight!
#Snow Days #Saturday Snapshot & Monday Walk
No such problems in ‘la belle France’, with Tobias :
I love the rugged tree roots in this one! Come and paddle with Amanda!
Monday walk – Boreen Point Foreshore
I’m really lucky this week, because Becky has completed the other half of my Furnazhinas walk for me. Thanks, darlin 🙂
A glorious walk through Geologic Time
And Cathy is sharing more of her Camino experience. Another one not to miss, but do beware of the bulls!
(Camino: day 5) a rest day in Pamplona
That’s it for another week. Hope it’s a good one! Take care of yourselves, and I’ll see you next time. No Spain, but maybe chocolate?
restlessjo 
I enjoyed our walk, but want to know what the sweet was at the end!! The photo was tantalizing. I was interested in what you said about Isla Canela having no heart. I do believe there are places with more “heart” or less. By that I mean vibrancy, street life, warm and friendly people. Is that what you mean?
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Yes that fits my definition, Patti. It’s full of holiday homes and there is no sense of community. 😞It was a pancake filled with fresh fruit. Michael’s. I didn’t get to taste it but I had my share at the Chocolate Fair this week 🍫🍬🍰🍹💕
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Good, Jo. I’m making my way through a bag of chocolate covered almonds made by Mrs. See’s chocolates–a famous brand in California. 🙂 🙂
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I bet you haven’t saved me any 😞🍬🍫🍒💕
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Sorry, Jo. I don’t share chocolate. 🙂 🙂
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Another gorgeous walk Jo – you really do live in a beautiful part of the world and to be able to pop over the border to Spain so easily makes it even more interesting. Although the architecture and history are so different there are quite a lot of reminders of our home in Perth. Must be to do with the geographic situation on the south west of a continent, the settings on the edge of a vast ocean (for us the Indian, no land till you reach Madagascar once you leave Perth!) and the Mediterranean climate. I’m now trying to walk further and push the pace faster too – gentle strolls with the dog were not really enough and my back played up over Christmas and the New Year (too much sitting I think). Anyway I try to do a really good walk for 45 minutes to an hour without fail each day and that along with my regular Pilates class does the trick. Plus walking by the sea is so good for your well being! I’m also getting back into a more regular blogging routine – have done a walk near Banff this week so can link it up to your weekly walks for inclusion if you like? Now I’m going to catch up on your walk this week! xx 🙂
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That’s fantastic! Yes, please 🙂 🙂 I’ll be over to read it soon.
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Thanks so much Jo and no rush at all! 🙂
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I know I read this post but can’t remember if I commented – anyway, great photos as always and I love the first one 🙂 Here’s mine from last week, a bit of ‘culture’ in three parts –
https://mousehouselife.wordpress.com/2019/02/11/visiting-the-museum-part-1-elephants-egypt/
https://mousehouselife.wordpress.com/2019/02/14/visiting-the-museum-2-history-art-textiles/
https://mousehouselife.wordpress.com/2019/02/14/visiting-the-museum-3-natural-history-aquarium/
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Thanks, Eunice. 🙂 🙂 Just back from a local Todos a Caminhar and I need to bash on writing this week’s walk. It’s cloudy and Mick’s doing DIY so I’m free.
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Not sure how I missed this on Monday, or maybe I simply lost the day altogether. I’m envying you all the blue. Lovely to have a close up shot of the broom. What fabulous plant.
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Hiya, darlin! 🙂 🙂 When you don’t comment, Tish, I assume it’s because you’re beavering away on a project while I simply lollop through my days.
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Was having a fading laptop problem last week, so more cursing than beavering 🙂
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😦
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Well, I almost missed this one too! Goodness knows where my head has been all week. Anyway better late than never. And I even have a walk to share with you from my favourite garden. Won’t be published until Wednesday though so I might link it with your next Monday walk if I remember! I can’t see me walking with a huge group like that, but I am glad you do as you capture some lovely landscapes. Very flat though. Which is why I suppose the sky dominates in your photos, a bit like in Norfolk. Have a lovely weekend!
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Flat was part of the attraction, after some of the hills we’ve climbed lately 🙂 🙂 But also curiosity about other places. Although the numbers were great we were walking on our own for quite a bit of the time. You go at your own pace. The local ones are much smaller events with a hundred or so max. 🙂 Today has been a combination of chocolate festival, a couple of churches and shopping for an awning, with Marie. Rock and roll party tomorrow afternoon! Never a dull moment 🙂 Thank you!
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A hundred or so walkers? Phew! Sounds like a crowd to me. I like the sound of a chocolate festival, though chocolate is off the menu for now. You are such a busy bee. You will wear yourself out soon! Enjoy the rock and roll party, I’m too young to remember those times🤣😜😁
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Waiting for my old age so I can put my feet up. 🙂 🙂 Going to have to go out for supper too, as there’s not much in to eat. 🙂 Half a bar of exceedingly nice chocolate… Happy weekend!
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I cannot imagine a time when you put your feet up 🙂
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Really enjoyed the dazzle of Punta del Moral, Jo. Your writing and the photos took us away to this watery place surrounded by bright blue skies, magical broom, and wonderful vistas. Thanks so much for this momentary escape to Spain.
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You would have loved this landscape and the bird life, Jet. 🙂 🙂 Nice to be able to take you there virtually. Thanks, hon!
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Your landscape photography never fails to wow me and with Punta del Moral ensconced in Bridal Bloom you’ve outdone yourself yet again. I’ve just realized at this very moment that we are now sharing the same ocean once again although sadly, our current plans have us sailing across to the western side of it. Still, I have dreams of finding my way to you and I may just yet get there under sail. Am glad you opted to move to a place with heart. But still, I am curious. Why do the apartments at the Isla Canela empty?
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They are all holiday rentals, Lisa, and there is no community. The restaurants close out of season so there’s no atmosphere. The fishing village Isla Cristina is where people live.😕 Thanks for the kind words. Happy sailing hon 😍🍹🍨💕 xx
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Your walks seem to look even nicer at this time of year Jo, perhaps its comparing them to some of the dodgy weather we’ve been having. Glorious today down here in the New Forest so maybe we’ll be able to get a couple of walks like yours.
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Just being able to get out there and enjoy it is the thing, isn’t it, Jonno? 🙂 🙂 A few people here have said the rains will come in March, so maybe you’ll turn the tables… 🙂
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I think I spotted some white broom a couple of roads away but it isn’t as far open as yours here, so I’ll have to go back and check! Lovely photos darling, and the photos don’t show Canela as heartless, but I can imagine what you mean, it takes decades to grow a character, a bit like it does for people! Hugs my lovely!
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Oh, yes please! Let me know, Gilly? 🙂 Isla Canela is surface beautiful but there is no community because it’s all holiday apartments. The fisherfolk and real people live across the water at Isla Cristina. We long ago decided we couldn’t live in Spain, but I’m very happy to visit now and again. 🙂 🙂
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