Jo’s Monday walk : Punta del Moral

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!

walking logo

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!

Day Trip to Chichicastenango

Fishy stories with Jackie  🙂

Noche El Pescador

If I was looking for an idyllic place to live, I could well be tempted by Alice :

Wilson Village

I seem to be traveling backwards with Carol!

Welcome to 1867

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!

Stratford Walk 1: the lake

Gunta takes us down among the Redwoods- a stunning sequence!

A walk among giants

Irene assures me that the deer and squirrels are coping well :

Left Behind in the Snow

But I couldn’t stop shivering when I read this one!  🙂

Place – Walking the Flip Side

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 :

Chateau La Coste

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?

130 comments

  1. So lovely to read of your adventures in this beautiful climate Jo. What a great way to get people out walking! We are expecting another round of snow & ice tomorrow. Spring is just around the corner….I think!

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  4. Pingback: Winter Walk Around Bodnant Garden in Wales – Susan Rushton

  5. Thank you for the pleasant start to the week. Lovely to see so many flower photos and scenery. I wonder what those lovely white flowers in first week are called?

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    1. More snow, Cathy! Doesn’t seem right somehow. 😕 Done all my housework this morning and been to order new settees. Sitting in the sun contemplating mischief 🌞🌷🍹🍨💕 xx

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      2. Thanks, darlin! 🙂 🙂 Would you believe she had ‘afternoon tea’ at Betty’s for breakfast? Betty’s are an institution in Yorkshire. Quite extravagant in their profusion of tea and cakes 🙂

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  18. That looks a lovely walk, if a tad populated for me. They used to have these all-comers walks in France too – I guess they still do, but we rarely went on them – they felt like the January sales, though the camaraderie was fun. I’ve got serious weather envy at the moment….

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    1. You’ll be happy (ish) to know that the day ended cool (ish) and cloudy yesterday, Margaret. Today’s not sure yet, but I can see a lot of blue, which may well discourage me from all the household chores I really must do. 🙂 🙂

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  20. Can’t keep up with you, you are here there and everywhere! Loving the bridal bloom and weren’t those views fantastic 😁

    Looking less blue today our way, so it looks like my Monday walk today is going to be another grey one. I’m getting good at finding our cloudy days!!! Thank you so much for the link, glad we’ve created a full circle for you in the hills xxx

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    1. Mick wasn’t well after yesterday and he thought too much sun (Jude says too many paint fumes 🙂 ), so we don’t mind the clouds. I need a good clean and find homes for things so I’m full of intentions- we’ll see! There’s an Algarve History Association lecture associated with windmills this evening so I’ll probably go to that for light relief. 🙂 🙂 Big thanks- your efforts and warnings are much appreciated. No idea when we’ll get to do it. Almond Trail tomorrow with the Striders.

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      1. Oh no sending hugs to Mick, probably a combination of both plus a leftover language headache! Hopefully today he’ll soon be feeling better xxxx

        Hmmmm is all I can say about the AHA lectures, although the idea of going for a giggle with you is very tempting 😉

        And no worries about the other half of walk. We enjoyed it despite the confusions 😃

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