Jo’s Monday walk : Corte Pequena

At this time of year I’m seriously enamoured of almond blossom.  Singly they are like small girls, spreading their skirts in a graceful curtsy.  On a laden bough, they are the chorus line in Swan Lake, fluttering together in delicate motion.  Like the dying swan, their days are numbered, for already they’ve been in bloom for a month.

The variety of colours confuses me.  I was told recently that the paler blossoms are sweet almonds and the darker ones are bitter but I haven’t been able to verify this.  I’m happy just to admire.  In any case, I digress, and it’s time to get started on our walk.  You will have gathered that I’m back in the Algarve hills, this time our start point a small village, Corte Pequena, with its own orange grove.

On a Saturday morning all was peaceful, far removed from the bustle of the city.  A small terrier took it upon himself to defend his territory, but soon realised we were harmless enough and gave up.  We didn’t have to walk far to find blossom.

Nor the wild clover that blooms everywhere in the Algarve at this time of year.  It’s widely regarded as a pest, but so pretty!  We followed the gentle gradient of the hills, climbing to a vantage point overlooking the dam at Odeleite.  In the distance a herd of goats graze.

Despite recent rains the water levels are still quite low.  Strangulated trees lean into the valley, some twisted by nature while others were burnt out some years ago.  Bamboo follows a narrow stream through the valley bed, but we find a good point to cross, with just a stride or two and a held hand.  Sometimes it can require a good plodge.

Soon we have come full circle and the village is spread out before us.  As we descend a young dog decides that we will make good company.  He gambols playfully alongside us, setting off a chorus of warnings from his wiser elders.  Perhaps they are aware that sheep wander loose here.

For a moment we think that we are going to be playing Pied Piper to the flock, followed by an irate shepherd.  But fortunately sheep have a short attention span and we are less interesting than the juicy grazing.  I suspect you know the feeling.

That has to be one of the tastiest almond tarts I’ve ever eaten.  The mural and wonderful metal sculptures were at the start of the Amendoeira (Almond Blossom) Trail, at nearby Alta Mora.

walking logo

I’ve been walking with you weekly (or weakly!) for 6 years next month, and I’m thinking I should call time on our perambulations.  Or cut back to a monthly, or fortnightly, event.  I’m just as restless as ever, but I’m resident in Portugal now and many of my wanderings are local.  I don’t want to bore you all, and I might like to try something different.  I expect there’d still be occasional cake.

Meantime, thank you for your support and your wonderful company.  Here are this week’s walks.

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If only Janet could walk in a straight line!

Monday walk… weaving around

Alice lives in a very beautiful place, and is happy to share :

A Symbol of Hospitality- Pineapple Fountain

A gentle look at life from Drake this week :

Winterly mood

It’s ages since I went along to the other end of the Algarve.  This is a lovely walk!

Randonnée / Hike from Armacáo de Pera to Praia de Marinha

Reminding us that Valentine’s Day is almost here, Natalie takes…

A Walk Among the Roses

While Cathy looks at local and Civil War history in Virginia, US :

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

And Rosemay checks out a little family history in north London :

Off the Tourist Trail in London – A Stroll round Islington

Wishing you a great week!  Hopefully the storms have passed.

 

173 comments

  2. What an amazing walk! Looks like spring has set in. It is coming here extremely early. Loving the pictures of the blossoms! The tart looks too good and now I want to get one! 😃 Wishing you a great week!

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    1. Thank you so much, hon. I’ve not entirely gone but neither do I know my next direction. It’s been so goodness to share the journey with you. I admire so much who you are and what you do. I hope we’ll always be friends 🤗💕

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  5. Jo, a heavenly walk and almond blossom is divine. I love how you seem to be a month ahead UK and enjoying the warmth whilst out in the beautiful countryside. The sheep are adorable with their lambs. It’s a joy to join you virtually on these outings … alas not able to taste the delicious dessert! 😀

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  7. So should we figure no official walk next week/until we hear from you? Just curious as I schedule mine to post while I’m sleeping so I don’t really see if you have a walk or not until morning. I may still do walks sometimes even if you don’t. As I said earlier, do what makes you happy and gives you time to enjoy life.

    janet

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    1. No, Janet – I wouldn’t cut off like that unless there was a crisis because walks still keep coming. There will be a walk on Monday and probably the following one too, whil I decide what next. Just back from a lovely walk in Spain. 22C up on the roof. Happy Valentines! 🤗🍷🍰💕

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  9. Pingback: Color hunting | Le Drake Noir

  11. What a lovely walk, Jo. The almond blossom took me back to my teenage years . There was an almond tree right outside my bedroom window which of course I loved. One day, my dad decided to chop it down for who knows what reason. I was devastated. 😱

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  13. I enjoy all of your walks, but this one was a real winner! The almond blossoms really are beautiful, and I loved seeing all those sheep. I’ve also always been a fan of clover even thought I remember, as you point out, that it’s mostly a pest in a yard (I recall clearly my father cursing it). Oh, and the almond tart … 🙂

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  14. Wonderful photos of Almond blossom. Village is beautiful, absolutely worth of visit. One photo, captured my eyes, was the metal art. I do love it. It brought to my mind our Brontosaurus park where art is made of from plates, chains and bolts. This photo gives an idea about what there is:

    Iron maiden

    Thank you sharing this post.

    Have a wonderful day!

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  16. We’re missing the Almond tarts and the blossom! So huge thank you for delighting me with them this week, all looks glorious. Hope the mildness remains for you although guess we are now into the ‘who knows what might happen’ weather phase. I recall very cold March and April days in recent years.

    Totally understand the need to change the walking posts, six years is such a long time and weekly too. You are incredible . . can’t wait to see what you come up with as an alternative xxxx

    PS is the lovely yellow really wild clover? I thought it was the African wood-sorrel aka Bermuda Buttercups? Like you I find it so pretty despite its invasive nature.

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    1. Wrong person to ask, Becky! When we were out walking (it was a group walk Michael was leading- 30+ people and somewhat harassed by organising food, playing shepherd, etc) it was described to me as a form of wild clover. The leaves have that appearance, but you may well be right 🙂 Mick has just arrived and says it’s Oxalis, so you’re right. He normally corrects me 🙂 🙂

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    1. Ah, Teresa! 🙂 🙂 I always wonder about people’s names but not everyone is keen to use them on the blog. It is uite beautiful in our hills, and will become increasingly so in the next few weeks as the rock cistus bloom.

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    1. It was good to have your company, Yoshimi 🙂 🙂 The blossom only lasts 4 or 5 weeks before Spring moves to the next phase here. Already we have rock cistus in the hills. It’s been a wonderfully mild winter.

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  19. Oh my goodness, those blossoms are stunning! I’m in a restaurant and was not prepared for that beauty! I’ve not read the story yet, but already I love what you have to share! As always, I’ll enjoy in greater detail when home.

    Tomorrow I’ll be on an extended birding weekend and hope to be back online on Monday…

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