Jo’s Monday walk : Over the border

I’m keeping it short this week, rather like my trip to Spain.  In fact, this is a visit I wasn’t planning to share, but sometimes, despite my best intentions, the camera starts clicking of it’s own volition.  Before you know it, I’ve got another Monday walk!

I’ve mentioned several times that on Sundays I generally take part in Todos a Caminhar (Let’s all walk!).  A health initiative, organised by the local council, the walks take part across the Algarve and, once a year, extend across the Guadiana to Ayamonte parish, on the Spanish border.  Last year we went along, on a romp through salt marshes very similar to those in our Algarve.  You might wonder about the point of this.  On my part it was mostly curiosity.  I wanted to see if it differed from the Algarve walks, and I always enjoy walking in new territory.  No such excuse this year, but some friends wanted to go, so we volunteered to give them a lift.

As we neared the sports centre, venue for the walk last year, we remarked on the absence of cars.  Last year they had lined the road.  Worse still, when we parked up in Punta del Moral, the streets were empty.  Puzzled, we listened for the sound of music or some sign of activity.  Slowly it was dawning on us that we might be in the wrong place.  Fortunately a number of others had made the same mistake, including a coachload of prospective walkers.  When they radioed for help, and were obviously redirected, we scurried back to our car and followed.  The venue was not as advertised, but in the nearby resort, Isla Canela.  We arrived just in time to join the throng, and head off through the starting gate.

I assumed we would be heading across the salt marshes on roughly the same trajectory as last year, but no!  We stayed on the footpath, and followed the road back in the direction from which we’d arrived.  A bit of a disappointment, but it did mean a closer look at the Torre Canela.  One of 40 towers, commissioned by Felipe II in the 1500s for the defence of the Andalucian coast, it was reluctantly paid for by a fishing tax on the local community.  The tower is special in that it contains a well at its centre, but the site is closed on Sundays.

Next we were directed around the back of the resort, closed and tired-looking in its winter garb, out to the lengthy promenade.  The almost deserted beach doesn’t have sands as golden as those that surround me in the Algarve, but the palm trees and lace curtains of white broom create a fragrant backdrop.  So beautiful, it’s just one more sign that Spring is rolling along in my part of the world.

Eventually we arrive back in the immaculate marina, the focal point of this rather soulless resort.  Building work continues so there must be a market, but I was happy to cross the water to the real Spain, no less attractive for being a little shabby round the edges.

We chose a restaurant by the waterside to look back on Isla Canela.  Faced with a menu in Spanish we became surprisingly fluent in Portuguese, but the waitress was kind.  And we can ask for dessert in many languages!

We thought the roses a rather romantic touch.  And my triple chocolate mousse was delicious.

walking logo

I’m still in a state of wibble regarding future scheduling, but there will be another Jo’s Monday walk next week.  Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts.  It’s not easy to stop when we have so much fun together.  You are great company!

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All’s right in Amanda’s world!

Walking with Kangaroos and Galahs

Isn’t this a lovely name?  We could all do with a bit of this, Alice :

Thankful Square

I was so relieved when I found it was the geese Janet was talking about!

Jo’s Monday Walk…morning light and taking a bath

Just when I’m starting to think warmth, Irene has me shivering again :

Rescue on the Ice

Food and art- 2 subjects dear to Jackie’s heart :

Breaky

Eunice loves street art, too.  Her lovely dog has just died, so please visit.  She might enjoy the company :

Bolton’s street art

If anyone has a spirit of adventure, it’s Mel, but she’s also an appreciator of art :

Art Outside – Getting Out Amongst Walcha’s Sculptures

Drake has a sense of adventure too, and an eye for an interesting shot :

Color hunting

While Cathy takes an intimate look at Italy’s capital :

Rome: Continuing the “heart of Rome” walk past the Spanish Steps & the Trevi Fountain

And Natalie gets up close and personal with a waterfall :

Hiking to Devil’s Cauldron Waterfall

Let’s finish with Jude.  Who wouldn’t want an amble with her?  I’ll get there myself one day!

Hayle: Copperhouse Trail

Have a great week everybody!  This last one has flown.

110 comments

  3. Wow, once again I’m envious of your spring weather. Looks like a beautiful walk, even with a little redirection here and there. Surprises are always good, I think. And thanks once again for the link, Jo. Have a happy week. 🙂

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    1. We have a few clouds this afternoon, Cathy, but it’s been wall to wall sunshine for the past week or two. I’m not keen on resorts, though we did actually consider buying into this one, when we were house-hunting. Very glad in retrospect that we didn’t. 🙂 🙂 But there are plenty of lovely places nearby.

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  6. Pingback: Jo's Monday walk…my dream walk | This, that and the other thing

  7. I’m glad you made it in time for the walk. That’s frustrating, but at least you weren’t the only confused one. I’m sure you would have found something to do even if you hadn’t found that walk, though. I must say that the boat skeleton really looks skeleton-like and boats sitting high and dry make a place look very deserted, as out-of-season places generally tent to look anyway. However, a good walk with a tasty reward and all’s well. 🙂 Fair warning! Bundle up when you come to walk with me. You’ll be cold, but the beauty will blow you away. See you later.

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2020/02/17/jos-monday-walk-my-dream-walk/

    janet

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    1. The two sides of the estuary are distinctly different in character, Janet. Isla Canela is very ‘well groomed’, with not much to it, but if you want a nice hotel pool, etc… You get the picture. I much prefer the rougher side. 🙂 🙂 Hang on, and I’ll get my big scarf!

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  8. What a pleasant surprise to find another walk in the reader. And it is a beauty. Hard not to use the camera when walking through such photogenic landscape. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Hope your wibble isn’t too serious, take some ointment for it. The walk looks lovely as usual, I’m a sucker for boats and harbours as they have so much colour and so much going on. And that mousse …………..

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  11. Ohh the first view kick on my aim for sea traveling. 😀
    The “over-used” boat start story thoughts, amazing view. 🙂
    The weekly time waiting for another walk, it is always the time worth. 🙂

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  12. Pingback: Wilderness of water | Le Drake Noir

  16. Just as well you found the correct venue, as it would have been disappointing to drive past all the participants on the way home. Your triple choc mousse look so delicious and a fitting reward when there is no cake on offer.

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    1. They’re a great team that lead the walks, Amanda, but the organisational skills behind them could be better. I’m frequently asked where exactly the walk will be? 🤔😕💕

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    1. I just can’t stop myself sometimes, Otto! Sometimes I make a conscious effort not to use the camera and just enjoy my surrounds, but once I start… 🙂 🙂 Thank so much for your lovely company!

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  18. Another marvellous walk, Jo. Wonderful to see so much evidence of Spring. Though I have to say all of the rain in the recent storms has got my garden on the move. Now I’m going to have to give it some care!

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  19. It sounds such a good idea to organise these healthy walks Jo – glad you found the right location in the end! Spring does look like it’s well and truly sprung in your part of the world. Love your walks but also know the time and effort you put in so just decide whatever schedule works best for you. Have a lovely week xx 🙂

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      1. Hi Jo not to worry at all – I put a post up late last night our time. I am a bit erratic with my scheduling meant to get one up in time for the weekend but time got away. I don’t know how you manage it all as it is time consuming visiting blogs and commenting on posts – I like to do everyone justice and read posts properly rather than just skimming and I have far fewer followers and other blogs to read than you. Maybe fall back to a monthly walking post or give yourself some time off – whatever works best. Life is to be lived to the full and you need time for yourself so please don’t feel any pressure to blog more than you you wish to. Perhaps you can publish your favourite walks in a book form – a sort of walking guide for the Algarve? I’m going to hold off coming over to the Uk for a little while – a bit uneasy flying so far with the current health scare (what if I have to “self isolate” my dad lives in a retirement place?!). Just keeping an eye on things and seeing what happens. Monsieur’s former work has banned all their staff from flying overseas anywhere for work at present (they can only fly internally in Australia). We did a cruise up to Alaska in 2018 (our one and only) – won’t be queuing up to do another one soon feel so sorry for all those poor stranded people. Anyway on a more cheerful note hope you have a lovely week in the Algarve sunshine 🙂 🙂

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      2. It can be a very scary world out there, Rosemay. Here’s me living in my little bubble 🙂 🙂 And sometimes that seems wrong too! I will scoop it up for next week’s walks, hon. As you’ve read, I’m having difficulty calling time! What a silly woman I am! Thanks always for your lovely company, and take care of yourself.

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  20. Those desserts look so divine I don’t know which I would choose – probably both! 🙂 I love the first shot, and the tiled picture looks really pretty. Thanks for including me this time, it’s really appreciated 🙂

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