Jo’s Monday walk : Vaqueiros in Spring

Last week’s walk may have been a little long-winded, and I was chided over the lack of cake, so this one needs to be both short and sweet.  The blossom is appearing everywhere and it’s a crime to be indoors.  Come with me to Vaqueiros, in my Eastern Algarve.

Vaqueiros is another hill village situated on the 300km Via Algarviana, and a good starting point for two circular walks.  I took you along on one of them a couple of years ago, so let’s go and see the other.

An information board indicates the way out of the village, on a gentle ascent.  A tinkling of bells alerts me to the presence of goats, an elderly goatherd leaning, unconcerned, on a wall in the shade.  And then, in a valley, a wonderful surprise.  Clear, sparkling water, flowing freely.  It’s been a long dry spell and recent, welcome rains have done their work.

The patterns in the rock crisscross like a giant game board, and I linger, thinking what a great place for a picnic and a paddle.

Our walk leader tells us we have a steady uphill climb for half an hour, and to keep our voices down when we pass the beehives.  It’s probably too early in the year, but the last thing you need is a swarm of angry bees.  Fortunately, nothing stirs as we tiptoe past.

Next we find ourselves the object of much curiosity.  Sheep certainly seem to abide by the maxim ‘safety in numbers’.  I couldn’t spot the shepherd but I’m sure there’s a stray goat or two in the pack.

The trail wends its way around and beneath a canopy of trees, mostly pine.  We pass by a nicely shaded picnic table, knowing we are not too far from our café stop at journey’s end.  And you know what that means!

In the small reservoir a bird flaps down to perch on the stump of a tree, and I try to zoom for a clearer photo.  Not my forté.

Now I’m not really sure that you’ve earned cake, though we’ve certainly burned a few calories.  Sorry!  Somebody just couldn’t wait  😦

But at least one of them makes a delightful square for January Light.  Just 5 days of Becky’s challenge to go!

walking logo

So nice to have water in the rivers again, though I may not be saying that tomorrow when I have to cross one!  Thank you all for your company, and please find a little time to visit each other.  Join me any time, here on Jo’s Monday walk.

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Just a warm-up from Natalie, but so pretty you might want to linger :

Hiking to Peguche Waterfall

Amanda has found a happy new home by the sea to put a big smile on her face :

Sunday Morning Beach Walk

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t mind the odd invigorating walk, and I’m happy to join Jonno and Jo :

Wild and Windy Walk at Heddon Valley

Speaking of windy, what better than the one and only Chicago?  Thanks, Janet!

Jo’s Monday Walk… the Windy City

Slade, and a pink house that I remember, in Montmartre with Drake :

Kind of rocking culture

I’m not great at whistling, but I’d give this a go, Alice :

Echo Square- Savannah

Denzil takes us gently wandering again in Belgium :

Sclaigneaux 2k(for kids) and 10k walks

And how beautiful are these, from Irene?

Glimpses of Dawn

Living Desert Garden

Margaret takes me very close to ‘home’ with this one :

Highlights of a Bird-free Bird Reserve

In fact, this was my very first Monday walk, and I can’t resist re-sharing  🙂  Almost 6 years ago!

Jo’s Monday walk : Greatham Creek

I’m sure you’ll have heard of this place (the English version follows the Italian).  Please stop by and say hello!

Alberobello:tutto il fascino dell’orientalismo pugliese

Cathy does a fabulous job here!  Don’t miss her truly gorgeous photography :

Morocco: the blue-washed Chefchaouen

It’s going to be a great year here for blossom.  I hope you can enjoy it with me.  Take care till next time!

127 comments

    1. Very little frost here, Yoshimi, as our hills aren’t very high and temperatures seldom go below 6C. The almond trees are in well chosen spots so they get maximum sun. It’s a lovely place to be in our early Spring 🙂 🙂

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  6. So lovely to see so much blue sky and sunshine. How cold is it there? Light jacket weather, big jumper or big coat weather? – I cant tell from the photos. That cake looks fab but I’d want a much bigger piece, especially after a long walk!

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    1. 16 or 17C by the afternoons, Emma, dipping to 9/10C some evenings. Depends on cloud cover. Trouble is that you reaclimatise so that you still feel cold if you’re not out in the sun. It’s a very outdoors lifestyle here. I was walking this morning in t-shirt, jumper and crops but many people took jumpers off when we got going. 🙂 🙂

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  7. What beautiful blossom Jo – seems so early in the season! Such gorgeous walks you take us all on and the coffee and cake at the end must be the icing on the cake so to speak! Have a lovely week xx 🙂

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    1. It’s great to be able to show people a side to the Algarve that most people don’t know, Rosemay. I’m watching Federer right now, but we’ll be out walking again soon 🙂 🙂 You too, hon!

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  8. Such beautiful countryside, Jo, but all I would need to make me happy would be the sheep and the goats! 🙂 What a lovely walk. The cake looks really tempting as well. All in all a really nice day, I’d say!

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  11. I love the way you build excitement on the trail from the tinkling of goat bells to the free flowing water and all roads leading to cake!!!! Thank goodness that things didn’t get too exciting with an angry swarm of bees. Your visual stories make me feel like I am walking by your side, laughing merrily as we go, with a bit if huffing and puffing on the ascent.

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  14. Pingback: A winter visit to ROSEMOOR – Lucid Gypsy

  15. I can’t believe you already have spring flowers in January! I’m so envious. It’s rather gray and brown here, and not much color to speak of. I love the clear water, and the cake looks very enticing! 🙂

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  19. How often do you walk with a group then? It does look lovely out there with the spring flowers beginning to bloom, sadly we have returned to wet weather again this week, though the sun got through this afternoon 🌞

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    1. That’s a fair question. Usually 2 or 3 times a week but it varies. There was a group walk this morning but we didn’t go (me for tennis, Mick for Portuguese 🙂 ) It started grey but was lovely by afternoon, so we took Marie up into the hills with us for a 7/8km walk. We are leading a walk in a week or two and needed to test part of it, so we dragged her along- a first for her, but she seemed to enjoy it. 🙂 The blossom is lovely right now.

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      1. You are both obviously very sociable people. I think the last group activity I participated in was the hockey team at school! I guess all that exercise allows you to eat plenty of cake 🎂 😋

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