Jo’s Monday walk : Back to the salt pans

I make no apologies for being back among the salt marshes today, for they always captivate me.  Especially when powder puff clouds drift away to the horizon in a pure blue sky, or luxuriate in salty sand puddles.  It’s a landscape that changes mood with the weather; sullen and drab, until the sun sweeps aside the muted colours, bathing them, and me, in warmth and light.

As with Changing Reality I’m heading for the sea, but this time in an easterly direction, towards the small resort, Cabanas.  A cycle path renders this area a hazard to walkers in peak times, but today I’m breaking new ground for me and striking out into the marshes.

You probably don’t recognise the cyclist’s bridge over the River Almargem from this angle, dwarfed as it is by the railway bridge.  I always hope to catch a train trundling across, but it never happens.  Turning my back on the bridges, I follow the river.  Far better than trains, I have the prospect of flamingos in this calm stretch of water.  And sure enough, there they are!  Tiny at first, in the distance.

I hope to startle them a little, for they are beautiful in flight, but they remain oblivious and eventually I tear myself away.  The way ahead looks promising.  Behind me, a shimmering lagoon of water.  The flamingos, mere specks.

I follow the curve of the rough path, towards the open sea at first, but then curving back around the salt pans.

The sludge and caramel colours and soft reflections blend together with the azure sky.

As I near the salt mountain I wonder at the giant ‘needle’ suspended in the sand.  We’re approaching my Hula ladies again, graceful in the breeze.

There are two choices now- a return via the Salinas estate, or to continue on towards Fort Rato and back into Tavira that way.  I opt for the first, and am gratified to snatch a photo of the train hurtling along.

One last look from the cyclist’s bridge and home to put the kettle on, another 9 or 10km completed.  I’m sure there must be cake as a reward.  I’m linking again with Jude’s #2020 Photo Challenge.  This week she’s looking at curved lines and I feel sure I have a number here.  No squares for me today, but #SquareTops does share a strong connection with salt.

walking logo

I’m very lucky to have some lovely people following this blog.  Drake is assuredly one of them :

Story of the tiny church

Skywalker holds the line (no, not Luke!)

And a quiet little lady can show you Korean cherry blossoms in all their glory :

Namsan’s Cherry Blossom Trail

Experience the beauty of her world with Rupali :

Morning walk

Weekend Walk 93

Staying close to her new home, Janet loves the morning too :

Monday walk…Yes, indeed, I’m walkin’

While Amanda is happy to introduce you to her Home by the Sea :

Birds and Sports

And Eunice has found a new walk, close by :

A circular walk from Barrow Bridge

Indra will very happily take you to Central Park :

A Welcome Escape

While Colline is taking her books for a walk :

A Small Stream

Chocolates, anyone?  Sorry, there aren’t any, but Natalie has the recipe for staying fit and well :

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

I always enjoy a stroll with Flavia.  And this time I’m singing…Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen!

Copenhagen – Rosenborg Castle

While Su tempted me into a fabulous garden with her beguiling title :

To touch a hundred flowers

And Irene looks back at London as it once was, and will be again :

Memories of London

A feast of photography from Cathy this week :

Morocco: Essaouira to Marrakech’s Bahia Palace

And in a completely different style, but no less beautiful, Lynn shares her world :

Local Walks: Back to Washington Park

I hope you found something to enjoy here with me today.  I’ll be back walking next Monday.  Stay safe till then!

137 comments

  1. Hi Jo, your pictures are so beautiful. Sometimes I think the beauty of nature is so overwhelming that it helps to have a picture to define the details. It never hurts to have a sunny day and beautiful blue sky for a backdrop. I had one of those on my walk with Duck. libraryladytravels.com/2020/04/25/duck-takes-a-walk/

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  3. Pingback: A Daily Walk 4-27-20 | Lillie-Put
  9. Pingback: Jo’s Monday Walk & Lens-Artists Photo #94 – Walk in My Front Yard – Cee's Photo Challenges

  10. I enjoyed your post as you were having a wonderful day, splendid vistas and photo angles all around, and you chose to share! I am like that also. I am also very aware that you have a writer’s heart, and choose your words carefully (hurtling, trundling,prospect, gratified) and I appreciate your vocabulary as I read. You are blessed to be in a beautiful spot, and I can see you cherish it. – David

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    1. There is so much to cherish here, David. Photography was not my first love, but mostly it’s what people notice, and I’m grateful for that. But I’m even more grateful when they appreciate the words too. 🙂 🙂 Thank you very much!

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  12. Pingback: Monday walk…in my room | This, that and the other thing

  13. Such vast skies, Jo. Reminds me of the western US in that way. Years ago my s-i-l and I visited the Camargue, where we saw the salt marshes and piles of salt. Quite interesting. And the salt is very good as well.

    I’m going in a very different direction today, but now I need some breakfast, having walked and then repotted a number of plants. Happy Monday!

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/monday-walk-in-my-room/

    janet

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    1. The Camargue was always on my wish list for the wild horses and the terrain, Janet. It may never happen, so if you have any photos from the visit… ? 🙂 🙂 Meantime, thank you very much!

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  14. That looks like a really relaxing quiet walk Jo, lots of big blue sky and green scenery. Time to wander and reflect and just enjoy the day. Really nice photos and a laid-back feel to the walk. Hope you enjoyed the cake.

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    1. Trying hard to remember what kind of cake we had that day, Jonno. Completely escapes me, but I’m sure it was naughty 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon- I do love being here, even in current circumstances.

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