Jo’s Monday walk : Praia de Barril

Such a familiar sight, and one that I love, especially when the heather is in bloom here at Barril.  The salt marshes can be a wallow of mud and scurrying crabs, but catch it right, with the tide in, and it’s very beautiful.  The temperatures have been steadily rising this week, and with them the temptation to visit the beach.  We parked at our usual spot, looking out to the bridge, and the Ilha beyond.

The path over the causeway is narrow, and has been closed while emergency measures were in place, but the time has not been wasted.  New signboards describe the antics of the bocas cava-terra, or Fiddler crabs, and the wading birds that happily fish these waters.

Track maintenance has taken place too, sand being always anxious to reclaim its rights, and the engines and carriages have been given a shiny new coat of paint.  A 15 to 20 minute stroll brings you to the beach, Praia de Barril, on Tavira Island.

A fringe of green weed decorates part of the shoreline, and in the distance a heat haze.  We turn to walk in the opposite direction, aware of other footsteps in the sand, but not a soul in sight.  The haze persists on yonder horizon too.

The strangest thing!  As we walk, the haze expands to meet us, and before too long we are shrouded in a fine, damp mist.  Turning back, we can’t help but chuckle that it’s just like the sea fret on the north east coast of England.  Only once before has this happened to us here.  I can remember the eerie feeling as we sat on the beach, engulfed in a sunny fog.  Then, as now, it had rolled away again within half an hour or so.

The graveyard anchors clung on, unimpressed.  I’m sure they must have seen much worse in their many years.  The beach bar was newly reopened and we stopped for a drink and chat to the young waiter, who had had no work or income for 2 months.  He shrugged and smiled, glad to be working again, even if custom was poor.  ‘We have to try!’  And in bright sunlight we started back.

The engines, in various stages of undress, made me smile.  Hopefully they will be pulling full coaches again, before the summer is over.

Back over the bridge and homeward bound, where I can offer you a choice of something sweet, or savoury if you prefer.  And shade!

Now and again I like to spoil you.  🙂  The heat has reached a crescendo around 30C this weekend, and an evening stroll by the water is a luxury.

walking logo

Let’s see what my walkers around the world are up to.  Many thanks to all of you for continuing to share.  Your company is always appreciated.

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Start at ‘Ye Olde Fighting Cocks’, with Debbie :

Wandering around St. Albans again

Janet appears to have found an oasis in the desert :

Monday walk…at the olive mill

But Rupali doesn’t need words :

Wordless Wednesday Walk

And Drake is all at sea!

Foreigners missing

Natalie doesn’t have any problem with getting out among the Spring flowers :

Life with Moments of Beauty

And I didn’t mind a few grey skies in Berwickshire, with Anabel :

Duns Law

Mel takes us silver mining in the Outback :

Walking through history in Broken Hill

While Denzil takes us on a longish walk from a pretty Belgian town :

Walk from Diest to Loksbergen (and back)

Ending with Cathy, in one of the loveliest cities I know :

A first glimpse into the glory of Florence

Next week we’ll go and look at a reservoir, to see how well they’re faring.  I hope you’ll come along.  Meantime, enjoy your week!

118 comments

  3. Pingback: The Riparian Preserve | This, that and the other thing

  4. Another terrific walk this morning, Jo, and although my walk gets nowhere near the sea, there are a few similarities. Nothing so tasty at the end of it and since I just got back from walking and haven’t had breakfast, those last two photos have my mouth watering. I’m so happy you’re out and walking again and I know you are as well.

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2020/05/25/the-riparian-preserve/

    Cheers!

    janet

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    1. Ooh breakfast was a long time ago Janet. Waiting outside the hairdresser at the moment. Another exciting ‘new’ experience. See you in a while and thanks 🤗🌊💕

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      1. The hairdresser? You’re a brave woman! Not sure when I’ll got back and of course as I’m in a new place, I have to find a new stylist, which isn’t ever fun. 🙂

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      2. Mick was super keen and dragged me along to make a double appointment. I’ve only been to her once before but she’s very sweet and cuts beautifully. Too hot for long hair. No fun for her in a mask all day but they need the money, Janet. The Portuguese aren’t rich and this has been devastating for them. 🤔💕

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    1. I was surprised looking at the photo how many there were because there weren’t many walkers. Just a couple on the causeway. Somebody having a party before the tourists arrive to monopolise the place. It must be torture 🙄💕

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  7. Oh those views on the beach, so beautiful! Were you able to cool off your toes a wee bit?

    Temperatures have finally started rising here but more importantly, we are seeing a little more sun. It feel so good for the souls!

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  8. The graveyard for anchors was among my favorite images . It reinforced the idea of a desolate beach , the kind one rarely ever sees in India. Another interesting walk Jo, I wish I was walking on the sand myself .

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    1. It’s too hot to be anywhere else, Sheetal. It’s 32C right now and I’m not comfortable with that temperature. Better early morning and evenings. Nice if you could join me 🤗🌊💕

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      1. I’d take 32 over 40 C everytime , that’s what it was here today😊. Also Portugal is fast moving up the ranks in my list of places to visit thanks to your walks . Someday , definitely!

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  12. The beach without people … literally nobody but you. Amazing. In “normal” times, is this beach crowded? Loved the graveyard of anchors. Interesting, yet I wonder, will blowing sands cover them.

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    1. It gets busy at weekends and in the summer season but it’s 11km so you can find a quiet spot at most times, Frank. Walks in the evening are better right now. I think they will try to preserve the anchors but it’s always a battle with the elements 🙄💕

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  13. Such beautiful walk, Jo! I didn’t know that you have heather in Portugal too. In Ireland, it usually blooms in late September and anyone exploring countryside around that time will be in awe of the purple carpet. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. The sun is shining in Ireland and we are getting ready to spend the day in the garden Aiva

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    1. I’m not sure if it’s technically heather or a type of broom, Aiva, but it always blooms about now, and just around the salt marshes. Thanks darlin! Too hot to stroll till evening 🤗💕

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  14. How lovely you can get back to the beach once more Jo 🙂 Good that the cafes and restaurants are starting to open again. The weather looks glorious in spite of the brief sea fret. We have wild storms here and the sun seems to have disappeared for a while! The sail cloth shading our pool area has been ripped off its pole alas 😦 Fortunately we are all safe indoors though and about to light the wood fire 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week – I shall attempt to make friends with the new editor soon!! 🙂

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      1. Thanks Jo it was certainly one hell of a storm!! Not thunder and lightning but amazingly strong winds and heavy rain. Thankful we had relatively little damage apart from the shade cloth by the pool which will need replacing. So many trees and branches down but miraculously our power stayed on – others were not so lucky ☹️ Must have been bad to get on the international news – we are one of the most isolated cities in the world and people are contacting us from other side of the globe to check we’re ok! Meanwhile hope you’re enjoying the sunshine! Xx 😃

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  15. Cake for me please Jo, I can never resist anything with meringue on it 🙂 Another lovely walk, the beach looks stunning and I love the first photo 🙂

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  18. What beautiful colours of summer Jo, but that mist looked very unexpected. You do have a lovely area to walk around. Thank you for sharing it with us. The cake looks yummy

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  19. Wonderful trek even in the fog Jo 🙂 Have you posted about the anchors previously as I remember seeing something about them ages ago? Thanks for the snacks as well I hope it won’t spoil my dinner later on 🙂

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