Jo’s Monday walk : Alvor & the Estuary

In the 15 years that I’ve been coming to the Algarve, Alvor has grown and grown.  Given its situation, tucked into an estuary on the far side of busy Portimáo, and with lovely Lagos at the curve of the bay, it was inevitable.  It’s one of those fishing villages I used to love to nosey around.  One of the huge attractions of recent years has been the addition of a boardwalk, which takes you far out into the estuary.  So, I’m delving back into my summer memories, to give you a lovely simple stroll this week.

It didn’t start quite that way for me, because I was joining the end of season rally with Todos a Caminhar, along with a couple of hundred others.  Off we all romped, through the village, to the bemusement of quiet Sunday morning folk.  Up and around the back of the ever expanding hotels and apartments, until I stopped for a breather and to admire the cliff top view.

People were just beginning to awaken to a lazy breakfast by the pool as I descended to the boardwalk.  Save for young families and those determined to get a good spot on the beach, as near to the sea as possible.

It’s a good place to walk off breakfast, and if you continue along the coast you will earn your reward.  I just managed to catch some last blooms.

An ideal subject for Becky’s October Squares?  I hope you have your lines ready for tomorrow, but don’t forget to square them!

You can loop back towards the village from several points along the boardwalk, casting envious looks across the water.  Not everyone can afford a mansion, but anyone can eat cake!  Someone I know insists that pavlova contributes to his ‘5 a day’.  Who’s arguing?

walking logo

Short and sweet this week!  I have company from England for the next few weeks, but I still have things I want to share, so I’ll do my best to continue.  Give me a nudge if I miss you?  Here, or over at Jo’s Monday walk.

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A walk I simply had to include!  Cheryl shows us how very beautiful is Korea (you need a head for heights) :

Hiking Ulsanbawi Rock on Chuseok

And Lady Lee treats us to more of Japan :

Miyajima

While Debbie takes me to familiar and much-loved territory :

Promenade from King’s Cross to Paddington

Jackie continues her pursuit of food, drink and a little art :

Rise and Shine

Drake shares countryside and city.  Take your choice :

Surrounded by nature

Attention-competition

While Eunice explores another well-known city :

A day in Dublin(1)

And Cathy stays on track, with castles in Spain :

(Camino day 36) El Acebo to Ponferrada

Bye for now!  Take care of each other till the next time.

88 comments

  2. I love boardwalks Jo – we have quite a few dotted along the coast here. There are some grand mansions too (which do take a terrible pounding from the south westerlies and winter storms) but it is free to wander along the coastal paths and the views are priceless. Have a good time with your visitors! 🙂

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  3. I’m catching up after being without internet for more than a week. I do love a good boardwalk and this one looks great. I’m happy to go with the pavlova theory. 😊 I’ll have a new walk out for you tomorrow!

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  5. What a stunning and colorful walk this is, Jo! I love a good boardwalk over an estuary or marshland, so you’ve found the way into my heart. I’m all for Mick’s idea that pavlova contributes to his “5 a day.”

    I finally have returned home from my road trip and will be trying to catch up over the next week. I got hopelessly behind on commenting and reading. Thanks for continuing to add my links despite me not adding yours. I just couldn’t keep up with it all. Anyway, looks like you’ve been having a wonderful summer. Now on to fall. 🙂

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      1. It will take me a good long time to catch up, Jo. Good for you to keep going even with guests. I only have one short trip ahead with my daughter in November; other than that I won’t be going anywhere for a while! Not till next spring at least. 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying your mayhem.

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  10. What a totally delicious walk! I love that low line of mountains, and the water of course! My current water is a rarely seen working harbour (not out and about much this time) – I love the sound of boat horns, or whatever they are.

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    1. The marsh area surrounding is beautiful, Meg. I was just looking back for a previous post which featured the interesting sculptures around the harbour but I couldn’t find it. I did find a heart warming collection of old friends though 🙂 🙂

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  11. Any time I come across a boardwalk I am enticed to follow the path. There’s something so appealing about them. I’m very intrigued with the statue, for lack of knowing what else to call it, in your last photo. You find festivity wherever you go, Jo! I do hope you have a wonderful time with your guests. A good opportunity to enjoy more cake. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, darlin 🙂 🙂 There are a sequence of fishing-related sculptures around the harbour. I thought I’d featured them before but looking back I couldn’t find the post. I thought perhaps you might like this one, which shows the estuary from the other side. https://restlessjo.me/2016/10/31/jos-monday-walk-rocha-delicada/ Looking back to 2016 I was delighted to find so many of the same people commenting, though there are a few I’ve lost track of. Must see if I can catch up with any of them.

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  12. Love the look of that cafe at the top where the tables and chairs are all different colours. Like a child’s playground. Wouldn’t say no to a piece of that pavlova either.

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  20. I was going to say this scenery looked very summery for late September, but then I read more slowly and saw that the photos were taken earlier. I love a good boardwalk!

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