Jo’s Monday walk : Chocolate time in Loulé

I’m feeling a bit naughty this week.  You’re always encouraging me to eat cake, so I thought I’d take you along with me to the annual, Algarve Chocolate Fair, in Loulé.  Any volunteers to help with the tasting?  I bet I can guess whose hand went up!

Pause for breath?  Please excuse the overload, but it was planned as a Valentine’s Day treat.  We’d better walk slowly now, while you nibble your chocolate.  (I did succumb to a very delicious dark chocolate bar, nibbed with crispy almonds, but I’m keeping that one to myself)

Loulé makes for very easy wandering, unless you happen to time it for Carnaval.  The main street was already being festooned with garlands, in readiness for the event in two weeks time.  We’ve been on numerous occasions, and my husband loves the political satire and the sparingly clothed dancing girls.  Me, not so much!  But it’s good fun and the youngsters love to get dressed up and join in.

I’m more interested in the beautiful, tiny church, tucked around the corner from the castle, Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Conceição.  The kind lady inside happily points out the main features of the azulejos, telling the story of Mary and Joseph and their special baby.  Just within the doorway, remnants of the town walls gaze dimly upwards, through a clear glass panel.

Downhill, past the castle and around silent Igreja Matriz, a small park looks out onto battered rooftops, and across town to the futuristic dome of Nossa Senhora da Piedade.  An elderly chap gazes quietly into space from his bench, while above a small boy gleefully climbs an ancient olive.

We’ve loitered in Loulé often before.  A gate through the old town wall leads out to a busy back street, rumbling with traffic.  Beside the gateway scowls an ancient pump, the surrounding streets an enigma of beautiful tilework, graffiti and skilled craftsmanship.  Ceramics and cork shops flourish and, from an open doorway, the sound of mallet tapping brass rings out.  I stop to admire a gleaming, burnished lampshade.

I was a little disappointed to find that no art was on display in the former Convento de Santo Antonio.   Hopefully restoration will continue and a further exhibition be set up for summer.  One last port of call.  I rarely visit Loulé without ascending to the heights, but this time we drove up the hill to Nossa Senhora da Piedade.  I hope to be there to see her carried from her sanctuary this Easter.

It’s a strange church, but I was quite taken with my last image- a reflection of the Sanctuarium on the window of the House of Candles.

The walks keep rolling in, so thanks to all who’ve contributed, and to those of you who take the time to read them.  Join me, whenever you can, here on Jo’s Monday walk.  I try to keep it lighthearted!

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Did you think we’d lost Meg?  Can’t keep a good woman down!  Showcasing a hodge podge of Australian architecture, in her own inimitable style :

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‘My’ bit of the Coast to Coast walk, with Geoff and his Dad.  Great memories, beautifully written :

Walking With The Wind At My Back: Part Five #coasttocoast #walking

Natalie continues her adventures in Central America :

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Pure delight for the eyes, this one from Susan :

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A quick zap of colour from Jackie this week :

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While Elaine has captured the most beautiful dragonfly shot, despite very murky weather :

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Architecturally beautiful, and sunny!  Debbie’s post couldn’t be more different :

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Ever been to Queens, New York City?  Let Lisa show you around :

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Iceland is on most people’s wish list, isn’t it?  You might know Drake had made it!

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The Algarve, not so much, but it certainly suits me and Becky :

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Carol shares a wonderfully atmospheric snippet of Toronto’s history :

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While Jude revives a memory or two of her own, in Ludlow :

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And Eunice takes us back through Bolton’s history, in 3 parts.  Know about the elephant connection?

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Finally, Cathy shares a garden that Jude would just love to be let loose in!  And I’d love to join her :

A stroll around Moab

Worn out, again?  Must be all that chocolate.  It was good fun though, wasn’t it?  Have a great week and see you next time!

166 comments

  1. Pingback: Out in the inside nature | Le Drake Noir

  2. Fabulous treats Jo. Did you guess who put their hand up? Loved the walk. The blue and white of course. I think you will have to get M to write a blog next Carnaval about his experiences with “political satire and the sparingly clothed dancing girls” lol

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  3. So, is Portuguese chocolate nice? I mean some chocolate is disgusting like Hershey bars. I’m not a huge fan of chocolate cake – it is often far too sickly, but those Florentines look nice and they contain fruit 🙂 Loulé looks like a nice place to live – is that the town with the lovely market?

    I have a Valentine’s Day walk for you this week too – will post on Wednesday so look out for it. Have fun decorating 😘

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  4. Pingback: A wander around Utrecht – Travel with Intent

  6. The Portuguese Tourist Board should take you on. I barely know the country, and now I really want to explore! Though in my sole visit, I did find the language a bit tricky. All I can remember is ‘obrigada’.

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    1. Obrigada will get you far enough, Margaret 🙂 🙂 We are struggling through Portuguese classes hoping that some day it will all come naturally. Thanks so much! You’re a bit of a hop from the border, aren’t you?

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  12. Yay you had a fabulous Friday treat. Loving the walk too 😊

    Good luck with Easter, we went when she was returned and the crowds were huge but apparently tiny numbers compared to when she comes down!

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    1. I’m not sure which to try for but probably her return. Any tips on where to stand? I know- anywhere there’s a space! 🙂 🙂 The Fair was small but it entertained Marie, and we did buy a few bites worth. We won some in the raffle at Saturday afternoon’s bash too, so there may be munching today. After he’s done the painting, of course! You don’t go till tomorrow, do you? Hopefully dry by then.

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      1. Ooh glad you bought some chocolate! We’re off today but are planning a long lunch half way so weather won’t bother us today 😊 and forecast for rest of week looks good. Yay!

        Hmmmm depends. We saw her not long after the service finished so not far from market. Crowded but had space to move and take photos. I’d liked to have been on the actual climb but looked impossible unless I walked behind! But I’d be tempted to try xx

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  14. I woke to heaven this morning … your wondrous images of chocolate from the fair are simply divine!! 🍫😀🍫 You did well to drag yourself away but seeing the atmospheric and pretty town of Loule I’m not surprised you explored some more. Lovely photos and the last one has an angelic touch! Happy Monday, Jo and have a brilliant week! 🌺

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  16. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Chocolate time in Loulé | ΕfiSoul63

  19. Oh Jo, that walk was hard work after the tasty start!
    And what a beautiful place – great azulejos, of course; colourful buildings; and yes, a fascinating reflection at the end.
    I’ll be back with a walk soon.

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