Follow the N270 inland from Tavira and you come to an area of gentle undulations. After Santa Catarina, look for a sign saying Mesquita, off to your left. Park close by the restaurant Lagar da Mesquita, and you find yourself in a fairly easy walking environment, with a number of enticements. I’m not talking cake just yet, so don’t go getting your hopes up.
Relatively easy to miss in the long grass, the Monte Negro well is a solid structure, of unknown origin but believed to be several centuries old. On a blue sky day with crisp shadows, bright blooms nod and a dog barks at us, but still wags his tail.
A gentle incline takes you up the Ribeira do Bengado valley to a trig point blessed with two windmills. Neither seem to be functional right now.
In the distance, the faintest shimmer of ocean glints in the sunlight. Down in the valley, we walk beneath trailing branches, on a carpet of leaves and fallen acorns from the many oaks. A cross stands, all alone, on a rough hewn wall.
The path emerges beside a cottage rich in bougainvillea. Another dog inspects us, through closed gates, and decides we’re harmless.
Soon we come to the natural Fonte and a bit of fun. Vigorous scrubbing demonstrates how it might have been done, ‘back in the day’, while a few turns of the handle easily produces water from the well. Wash day in the sun!
Grapefruit dangle temptingly over a fence, and it’s time for the luxury of a coffee stop.
We’re on our way to the last of the features of this walk- the Geoponto, and the beautiful ornamental rock known as limestone breach. Going far back in time, much of the Algarve was beneath the ocean. Remnants of coral and fossilised animals from that era can still be found in the limestone, quartz and feldspar which make up the local geology.
A fascinating prospect, isn’t it? The rock is now used in the building industry, and for decoration. Across the fields the trail leads back to the road. An empty rill passes another water wheel and soon the crossroads signed Lagar da Mesquita appear.
I hope you enjoyed our walk today. Even if you only came for the cake.
Time to share a few more walks. Many thanks to my contributors and all of you who’re happy to walk along with us. Join me next time here on Jo’s Monday walk. And maybe bring a walk of your own?
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I do like quirky, don’t you? An odd little piece of Cornwall, on Jude’s doorstep :
Just let it happen, with Drake. It could lead anywhere :
I know somebody who loves apple pie, Alice. Especially with custard!
Historic Town Famous for Apple Pie
Speaking of which, let’s see what Jackie’s got this week :
Natalie’s staying indoors, but surrounded by beautiful flowers :
7 Tidbits about Chrysanthemums
Janet’s indoors too but her interests are rather different :
While Mama Cormier shows us around her neighbourhood :
And for those of you who like snow with your spectacular scenery :
Or you can carry on the Camino, with Cathy :
(Camino day 45) Melide to Arzúa
It’s December and I’m sure a lot of you are leading busy lives. Please don’t stress too much! It won’t make Christmas any better.
The flowers, the windmills, the yummy cake…. Was very refreshing and a nice capture.
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Glad you could time travel with me 🤗💕
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Beautiful photographs. Had heard of this place in the passing but was pretty much blank about it till I went on this walk with you . Great going!
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There are lots of interesting walks in the hills. It sometimes feels like I spend my life there. Could do worse! 🤗💕 Thank you!
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Yes! You spoke my mind … the blue sky , those gorgeous flowers and that sunshine, picturesque indeed! I actually goggled the place after reading your post. Lucky you , Jo!
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The windmills are such stunning sights. You might not have gotten me to walk on past that point. Well perhaps with a bribe of cake!
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There’s always cake as a fall back, Sue 🙂 🙂 Soft landing!
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Every time I drop by, which is so rarely and randomly nowadays (for which I do apologise), I am in for a treat. The stark whites against the blue skies win my heart. Your rambles do look rewarding in themselves, not to mention the cakes you always tempt us with. The passionfruit number above does the job too. xx
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Ha! You’ve caught me doing my Portuguese homework. 🙄 Then I can have time off for good behaviour. And maybe even cake 🥳🍰🍷💕
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Beautiful as always Jo!
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Thanks, Nicole 🙂 🙂
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I just love the windmills, Jo. They are so unique and seem to be a feature of the landscape. I also notice all the blooming bougainvillea. I have ten thriving bougainvillea on my little “plot” and they are never disappointing. 🙂
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Wow, that’s a lot, Debbie! We only have a patio and the roof terrace so our crimson bougainvillea gets all the glory, but she has a white climbing friend, who’s not in flower yet 🙂 🙂
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Beautiful walk Jo. Was that passion fruit on the cake. Looks yummy.
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It disappeared very rapidly, Su, but I believe so. 🤔🍰💕 Thanks, hon xx
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The best kind of cake !
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My husband’s 😦 😦
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🤣🤣
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A very interesting and beautiful walk, lots of lovely flowers and of course yummy cake. Thank you Jo 😄
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Thanks, Gilda 🙂 🙂 I really enjoyed this one.
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Your photos of bougainvillea are gorgeous. I particularly like the first one. It must be fun to come upon something that was used centuries ago like the old well. For someone who likes to take walks, you certainly live in the perfect place.
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Speaking of which, we’re out walking again in an hour or so, Nicki. Back to the hills 🙂 🙂 Thanks! Everything ok with you?
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Hmm loved it! The flowers, windmills, cake n all… very refreshing! Great captures too!
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Thanks, hon 🙂 🙂 It’s a lovely bit of the world.
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thanks for taking us along this lovely walk, Jo! love the charming windmills! and the cake looks yum too! 🙂 🙂
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Glad to have your company, always, LolaWi 🙂 🙂
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That was a good walk, thank you I needed it after eating much turkey and pies 🙂
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Turkey is ok. Pies, not so much 🙂 🙂 But I like them!
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Those grapefruit look so tempting, they are among my favourites and I often start my breakfast with half.
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I really like the pink ones, but I don’t often have them here. 🙂 🙂
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Lovely to have some sunshine on a cold winter’s day. This was actually a Sunday walk but I hope you don’t mind. https://www.theplatinumline.blog/a-walking-tour-of-historic-southwark/
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I never mind when we walk, Anne, so long as we do. 🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot!
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I love the blossoms and the windmills and the photo of your walking group. And the cake, of course! 🙂
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This is a Friday walking group that’s just started up recently, Cathy, but some of them are from other groups too. We are gluttons for punishment. 🙂 🙂 Or do I just mean gluttons?
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How nice to have a new group. It’s always fun to meet new people. 🙂
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The cake and the warm sun …
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It was actually a lovely day, Anabel, though it’s turned quite moody lately. Who cares, so long as there’s cake? 🙂 🙂
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The flowers are absolutely beautiful Jo. And that grenadilla cake looks tempting!
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I’ll save you a small slice, Colline 🙂 🙂
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Yes please 😄
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All aesthetic appreciation put to one side on a glimpse of that cake! Wow! Keep the scenery, lead me to the teashop.
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That’s quite easy to do, Mari. It’s not far from here. But I do have your best interests at heart 🙂 🙂
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