Jo’s Monday walk : Peaceful Pecháo

It all started with a restaurant.  Some friends, who come to the Algarve a couple of times a year, particularly like to find new places to eat.  And so it became a Thursday habit for a small group of us to meet for lunch.  One such outing took us to Pecháo, a small village in the neighbourhood of Olháo.  Fully sated from a lovely meal, I thought I might take a look at the village church.  I was in luck, for it was open, and I slipped inside to look.

A couple were praying devoutly so I did not linger, but outside the church I stopped to read a notice board.  Apparently a chapel has existed on this site since 1482, and the current Igreja de Sáo Bartolomeu probably dates from the 18th century.  Close by the church the small ossuary, or bone chapel, took me by surprise.  Reading that there was a ‘route of churches’, we decided to return for a walk one day.

And so, a couple of weeks later, I found myself and partner in crime back in Largo da Igreja, examining our surrounds more closely.  Always one for the details, he had researched the walks, produced a map and decided which of three routes we should follow.  PR5OLH, at 7.5km, was a level, easy walk, which suited because I was succumbing to a virus and not at my best, but not willing to stay at home on such a beautiful day.

The walk wound through the back streets of the village, past a series of ageing gardens.  I was highly amused to find, at a convenient crossroads, a similarly aged chair beside a bench, and a waiting orange.  (On our return, three elderly gentlemen sat side by side, orange presumably shared).

Leaving the village we crossed the Ribeira de Bela Mandil, where water must once have flowed.  A path led alongside the dry stream, to the Nora de Viriato, an impressively solid-looking well.  Bright Crocosmia blazed beside a wearying olive tree.

We made a circuit of lanes and tracks, passing immense polytunnels (papaya?) and a few beautiful villas, meanwhile attracting a number of unfriendly canines, some of whom wag their tails.  I never know if this is a good sign, or not.  Pretty pink cistus winked at us, blossom trees leaning into the breeze one last time.  Confident of not getting the shot, I trailed a butterfly across a patch of Bermuda Buttercups.  Outwitted every time.

Soon we were in sight of the village.  The water tower, and cemetery- uncomfortably close neighbours, and yet they seem a natural fit.

But I know from long experience that your interest lies elsewhere.  I should tell you that the lovely place we ate was called Gunther’s– not a typical village restaurant, but I can highly recommend it.  No more Thursday luncheons for the time being, as our friends return to the UK this week.

Thank you for your patience.  I can tell you that I am now fully recovered and that I will be walking with you again next week.  After that I propose a short break while I get my thoughts in order.  So, if you have a walk that you’re longing to share, please do it this week.  You know the formula here on Jo’s Monday walk.  And I’ll try to make you welcome.

walking logo

Spring doesn’t always bring happiness.  Pop over and give Eunice a hug?

Snowdrops for Sophie

Rosemay continues her wander down Memory Lane, in London’s lesser known haunts :

Off the Tourist Trail in London- Stoke Newington and Clissold Park

There have been a few complaints about the weather lately, but not from Drake!

Wilderness of water

We all dream of different things.  Happy to view Janet’s from afar :

Jo’s Monday walk…my dream walk

But Irene says it’s been a mild winter :

Glimpses of Lake Michigan

Looking for an interesting Dutch city to explore?  Debbie has the answer :

A ramble around Rotterdam

Or you can have fun entertaining a 4-year old, with Margaret :

A Walk to the Planetarium

While Cathy takes us into the world of the Berbers :

Morocco: Merzouga to El-Khorbat

And me?  Well, it’s Carnival week.  Not Rio, but doing our best.  Take care till next time!

101 comments

  1. There is a glimmer of the palest of blue skies to the north of me, over the sea, but I cannot wait to have a proper blue sky like yours! More rain, more wind keeping me awake all night and it doesn’t look to improve any time soon either. I don’t think i have ever known such prolonged dreariness. So was this a route of churches? I expected to see more churches along the way. I did not expect to see crocosmia in flower! That appears in late summer here. And although the ossuary chapel is sweet I am not keen on seeing human bones on display. It does seem to be common in Catholic countries. Glad you are on the mend 🤗

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    1. The whole route of churches is a bit of a mystery as this village isn’t really near any that I know. We need to go back and check the longer route, when we have a free minute! I’m not a fan of bones but I thought the chapel uite appealing, if you didn’t look too close 🙂 🙂 I try not to use that letter too often but I do find it funny! I can remember very long grey spells. A shame when the daffs and crocuses are about.

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  5. Finding great places to eat with friends is always fun. Another beautiful walk Jo and the cakes yummy. I am glad you are feeling better. I hope your blogging break will not be for too long. I have not had time to blog recently since I am traveling and it is hard to keep up. I will catch up when I get home 🙂

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  6. Pingback: Monday walk to the rookery | This, that and the other thing

  7. A good lunch and a beautiful church; then a return walk. Perfect! I’m struck by how many walks are available to walkers there. What a blessing! I’m heading off to get a walk in before we get some rain later today…which means it’s a bit gloomy. But I have to walk anyway. 🙂 You’ll be happy to know there’s no snow on today’s walk. It’s from several summers ago and perfectly warm and sunny.

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/monday-walk-to-the-rookery/

    janet

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  8. The bone chapel would have taken me by surprise too Jo. Please go back and find out more. Glad you are on the mend. I enjoyed our walk thanks. The cake was superb 😀 😀

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  10. Another charming outing under blue skies Jo. Pleased to hear you have conquered the virus. We will all miss you when you take your break. Blogging is so time consuming and you will have so much extra time to pursue your other interests. Whatever you do I know you will enjoy life.

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    1. I do have most evenings and early mornings, Pauline, but I don’t have any think time. In some instances that’s not a bad thing but I need a little scheming and planning time. Thanks for being so lovely. Off to Loule carnival now 🥳💕

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  12. I’m not likely to get a walk in this week. Yesterday’s walk was cancelled – flooding and mud. Tomorrow’s walk is cancelled – flooding and mud. Today is our first snow of the winter. So your delightful walk was especially welcome.And as far as my walk last week went, it was the four year ld who was entertaining me! I hope your period of getting your thoughts in order will be energising rather than stressful. Good luck!

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  13. We’ve been to Portugal and Algarve many times but never quite made it to Pechao! As it’s been a while since our last trip, I could easily use it as an excuse to go back again! Algarve and its beautiful beaches surely can cure anything that ails at you! Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva

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  14. The blue sky is such a joy to see. I must say if I had to choose between the beautiful sky and beautiful cake I would choose the sky. Thankfully with your posts we don’t have to choose. 🙂

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  15. So beautiful. I suspose spring is a good time for walks as it must get too hot at times in the summer. I was wonderting if those were bones on the other side of the metal grill as you mentioned an ossuary, bone chapel?

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  17. I love everything about this walk and it’s certainly brightened up yet another grey and rainy morning. I love the narrow cobbled back lane but the bone chapel seems a bit weird. And cake? – I’d have the chocolate one but with more cream 🙂 Including my snowdrop walk this week was unexpected so thank you 🙂

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    1. More rain? It’s unbelievable at the minute, isn’t it? I gather much of Yorkshire and South Wales are swimming. 😦 Doesn’t help to cheer anybody up.
      Bone chapels are fairly common here, and in other parts of the Med. Can’t say I’m a fan, but this one was attractive in it’s own way. 🙂

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  19. Another lovely walk in the beautiful Algarve countryside Jo – such clear blue skies and pretty flowers. I always thought that dogs wagging their tails are a good sign as it means they are happy to see you but you said these ones weren’t too friendly? Hope you have recovered from your virus and now feel much better 🙂 Thanks so much for including my walk again this week and indeed the many you have already shared. Always a pleasure walking with you and hope you’ll work out what direction you want to take with your blog after a well deserved rest! No hurry either if you decide to pursue other things. Thanks for all your wonderful posts and the support and encouragement you’ve always shown to me, take care xx 🙂

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    1. Bless you, hon- it’s always been a pleasure 🙂 🙂 It’s just that sometimes there’s too much going on in life to think. Maybe that’s a good thing! Anyway, take good care of yourself- I’ll not be far away. 🙂

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