Jo’s Monday walk : Vila Franca do Campo

So!  The dilemma!  Our last night, close to the airport for an early start, or a beguiling monastery, not too far away?  When we rang the bell pull at dusk, and the narrow grill rolled slowly back, we could have been forgiven for wondering if we’d made the right choice.  A small door in the hefty green one was swung creakily back to admit us.  Were we spending the night in a cell?

Vila Franca do Campo was full of surprises.  On our bed, at Convento de Sáo Francisco, a glossy magazine, open at a feature… are you familiar with Bom Jesus at Braga, on mainland Portugal?  The image was something similar, but on a smaller scale.  Definitely an expedition for the morning.

On a bright blue day, yet another amiable taxi driver arrived to wind us up, and up, and up the hillside to Senhora da Paz. (and he would collect us at six for the airport, the following morning, still smiling  🙂  )  Breakfast of island cheeses, boiled eggs, fresh pineapple and wonderful local bread and honey had set us up for the day.  Nothing to do but start at the top, and amble slowly, back down the hillside.

The views down upon Vila Franca do Campo, with its offshore islet, were simply beautiful, the subtle stripes of the ocean stretching to infinity.  The azulejo panels tell the story of Our Lady of Peace, whose image was discovered nearby, in a simple grotto.

Reluctantly I tore myself away to begin the descent.  Mingled with the ever present hydrangeas, starry bursts of delicate agapanthus.

Did you notice the islet, on the horizon?  I didn’t manage to get there in the short time we had, but the ferries leaving the marina seemed popular.  But I’m jumping ahead of myself.  We wound our way down a tree-lined avenue until we were back in the town.  The houses had interesting adornments to delay our progress, and one garden was full of ripening bananas.  Most noticeable, though, were the coloured hoops across the streets.  A festival of some kind was set to happen, connected to the Senhora, I could only surmise.

Eventually the twists and turns brought us to a central square, and thirst led us from there to the marina.  A hot and lively place from which to observe the business of boats.  Something I’m able to do for hours!

A seawall led out around the marina, protecting it from an ocean mild as milk on this particular day.  We stopped to watch some youngsters bringing home their tiny craft, the instructor bellowing at them intimidatingly.  I was glad that I was ashore.

So many fascinating jobs to be done.  But not everybody loves boats, and it was time to follow the shoreline and head back up to our monastery/hotel.  Evidence here that someone loves cars too!

Through a very attractive square, whose church door was temptingly open.  And past the prettiest bandstand ever!

I think this may be a good place to leave this walk, though I hear anguished cries of ‘what about the cake?’  You can have too much of a good thing?

walking logo

I’m still in the UK till late Wednesday.  So much has happened since we were in the Azores!  I’m in transit to Nottingham tomorrow, and as some of you may realise, I’ve just hit Publish rather than Preview!  So you have a Jo’s Monday walk on a Saturday.  Whatever next?  I hope you’ll excuse me.  There will be a brief follow up on Monday.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Meanwhile, Cathy has been trekking, and trekking, on her spiritual journey :

(Camino day 27) San Nicolás del Real Camino to Bercianos del Real Camino

(Camino day 28) Bercianos del Real Camino to Reliegos & ruminations (week 4)

And Sandra has been enjoying the great outdoors :

Flowers, Berries and More

Naches Peak Loop/Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier National Park

I always enjoy a step back in time.  Thanks, Irene :

Sense of Nostalgia

Meet Elina from Finland!  She has some wonderful sights to show you :

Rainbow Mountain

And guess what?  Drake’s….

Back in town

And he has full permission to walk on a day that’s not Monday  🙂

Village with red touch

While Rupali, after a break, is…

Back on track

And Ulli takes us on a majestic tour of the Austrian Alps :

The route is the final destination in Austria

Funnily enough, Suzanne, the Travelbunny, just featured a spectacular walk in Austria that I’d love to do :

Tiefenbachklamm – Discovering Austria’s Wild Side

And Debbie takes us to ever more exotic and interesting places.  I can’t keep up!

Bender Fortress

I’m sure she’d enjoy some of the street art in Cheryl’s walk, too :

The Highest Café of Jaman Mural Village

Another newcomer to the walks- please give a warm welcome to Nandini :

A Walk on Golconda Fort

And in case you’ve forgotten Nadine, something that made me feel very restless :

15 Photos that will make you fall in love with the Camino del Norte

And I almost missed Margaret, but here she is!

Country Mouse visits the Big City

It’s great that you’ve all continued to walk with me.  Comments were closed for a while, but I guess I’m back in business now.  I’ve loved my family time in the UK but I think it will be good to be home again.

116 comments

  1. I am still stunned by the beauty of your first shot, Jo. I think that would have been a wonderful entry to Ann-Christine’s “Angles” challenge this week! This looks like an amazing place. But I am a little disappointed that we aren’t getting any cake. :(. 😦

    Like

    Reply

  3. Haha! How funny that you accidentally pushed publish and your Monday walk became a Sunday walk. Sounds like something I would do. I’m sure you’ve been having a grand time up north. This walk is so pretty, and does remind me of Bom Jesus in Braga, although the setting for this place looks nicer. I love all the tiles and the boats, of course. I really think you need a boat of your own, Jo. And thanks, by the way, for the links. I just kept linking while you were gone! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. I intended to schedule, Cathy, because I may not be able to use my laptop in Nottingham. So now I’ve had to schedule the follow up for Monday to explain! Life does get complicated at times! But it was lovely spending time with James and we managed to see quite a few friends. 2 days with Lisa and we’re back to the Algarve. Ryanair strikes permitting 😆💕

      Like

      Reply

  10. Wow! What a fantastic place, not heard of it before but it looks spectacular. Must have been lovely to walk down discovering new things around every corner. Love the boat photos too but especially like the one of the single boat over the rocks. Really good photo and just looks idyllic. Who wouldn’t want to be onboard.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hiya darlin 🙂 🙂 How goes the grandparenting? I’m sorry, I’ve only been able to do a limited amount of visits around the blogs and I didn’t get a pingback for yours. I intended to put this out on Monday and a follow up midweek, but I’ve scuttled myself! 🙂 I have a farewell to the Azores which I’ll hopefully now post Monday, with any links I’ve missed. Life! 🙂 Repacking today and saying goodbye to my youngest then off to Nottingham.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Grqndparenting fine so far. But I’ve been doing the pre-school end. Teenage end this week – a different kettle of fish. I reckon you didn’t get the pingback because I did the post on my phone. For some reason it doesn’t seem to work so well. It’s not the end of the world. Enjoy you last few (hectic?) days. x

        Liked by 1 person

  16. I thought you might have been getting a walk in while you could. 🙂 I also had a similar thought to Jude about all the blue in these photos, which would have fitted Becky’s challenge perfectly. The scenery is so beautiful. I’ve never seen a chapel quite like this one. It’s lovely.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It was meant to be scheduled, Carol, as I still have a busy couple of days but I hit the wrong word and complicated life. It was a much more interesting town than I had imagined. How’s the foot?

      Like

      Reply

  17. I must admit you had me a tad confused posting this on a Saturday 🙂 Sorry I haven’t visited your blog in a while, I really must find the time to catch up with some of your previous posts. I’ve been Monday walking myself quite a lot recently though – canals, coast, countryside, parks, street art trails and many more – and I’m just now writing my next post for Monday. Your photos are fabulous as always, I love the views and the azulejo panels but my favourite just has to be the bandstand, it’s so pretty 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Isn’t it the best bandstand ever? Sorry to confuse. It’s been a strange few weeks for me but so lovely to see family and friends again. Thanks, Eunice. Look forward to it 😍💕

      Like

      Reply

  18. A Monday walk on a Saturday evening? What are you trying to do to me? I get confused enough about what day it is! Anyway a lovely visit to a lovely place and so many blue skies that it is a pity Becky’s blue month is long gone! Have a great visit with the daughter and a safe flight home. I am sure you are in need of some rest and me time 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I was previewing to schedule for Monday, Jude, as I’m not sure if my laptop will cope in Nottingham. It’d been a long day and I hit the wrong word. 😕 Is the patient recovering well? 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Well it is nice to have an unexpected walk with you. Are you staying in Nottingham until the flight home on Wednesday? I expect a bit of R&R is needed 🙂

        Like

  19. Senhora da Paz is mesmerizing and yet another reason that the Azores are calling to me. The marina offers Amandla a nice place to stay while we do some exploring (perhaps in that lovely car) overland. I am delighted you hit ‘publish’ early and treated me to this visit. Safe travels ‘home’ Ahoy from Medellin.

    Like

    Reply

  20. I was all set to make a clever, clever comment about the ‘blueness’ of the ‘blue day’ but when I got further into the piece and saw the brighter pictures I thought better of it. What a fascinating place you’ve discovered. I’ve stayed at some of the convent hostels in Italy and these are wonderful places to spend a few days – it’s worth checking monasteries and convents out in any of the Catholic countries. Pity you missed the cake and I’m surprised, as these places usually have interesting cakes and liqueurs.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Mari 🙂 🙂 I’m all at sea at the minute and this should have gone out on Monday, but you’re not wrong that it was a fascinating place. I loved my Azores adventure and hopefully I’ll return one day.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.