Jo’s Monday walk : Barragem de Beliche

A lingering rock cistus highlights the banks of the reservoir.  A couple of weeks ago I ventured up to Beliche, in part to check the water levels, but also because it’s a largely uninhabited area.  Or so I thought!  The car parking area alongside the dam surprised me.  Leathers and helmet clad bikers were thronging the space.  But they kept to themselves, and we duly distanced ourselves too.  As they pulled away we got a thumbs up and a cheery wave.  Life has to move forward, but you can choose your own pace.

Around here, you can imagine, it’s pretty slow.  April and early May saw a lot of rainfall.  A Godsend, because the reservoirs were dangerously low.  And also because the Portuguese really don’t like the rain, and were very happy to stay home and avoid it.  Fique em casa!  Stay at home.  Job done!

There were no tourists, so nobody to get upset but a handful of disgruntled expats who’ve chosen to live here.  Blue skies are theirs by right, aren’t they?  And eventually were restored, the timing being almost perfect, as beaches and beautiful countryside again became available.  With enormous gratitude for what we have, and not a little trepidation, we set out.

If anything could dispel doubt, it was the sparkling blue waters of the Beliche dam.  Such a relief to see water levels being restored, for summers here can be long and hot.  Bypassing the fearsome machinery, we climbed the hill to gaze back down at the dam.

I freely admit, not the most exciting walk we have ever undertaken, but just then it felt like giant steps into the unknown.  I delighted in the freshness of the air, and the soft sprinkling of lemon and lilac flowers dusting the hillside.

A cloud passed overhead, just as I was pausing to admire another solitary cistus.  And then drifted away to join its brothers, dreaming in the sky.

This circular walk is a little more than 6kms, sufficient in the mounting heat, and before long we were below the IC27, which runs north towards the Alentejo.  There are a couple of farms in the valley, and a donkey, who gave me rather a disdainful look.

Experience has taught me to be more wary of beehives!  And their aggressive inhabitants.

The map indicated a river flowing towards the dam, but it must long since have dried up.  The telltale reminder, an overgrown measure of depth, was just visible through the shrubs.  A gentle climb brought us back to the car park.  I’d love to share the lemon drizzle cake made by one of my companions, to celebrate our first visit since the onset of the virus.  But I devoured 2 pieces, and never even gave it a thought!  Next time…

walking logo

However, I’m more than willing to share some great walks.  Here we go!

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Always good to meet another Algarve blogger, and Tracy is also a published authoress :

Montes Mourinhos – Pera circular

Wouldn’t you just love to meet Sheetal here?  I know I would!

Dinner in Trastevere, Rome

Indra shares her memories of the natural beauty of Canada :

Summer of 2019: Waterton, Canada

While Janet improves my vocabulary, amidst the natural surroundings of Arizona :

The Riparian Preserve

Sharon is surrounded by some beautiful countryside too :

Caton Riverside Walk

And Susanne is simply happy to be outdoors again :

Back for a Walk at Coulon Park

An easy, unhurried style of life, with Drake :

Some even forget the mobile

And a poignant and personal post from Alice :

One Last Song

A poetic lady I know as ‘Heart to Heart’ (Dil se Dil tak… )  Such a lovely name for a blog, Rita :

The woods are lovely dark and deep…

There must be a history to this village name, Jonno?  Always smiling, these two!

Our Favourite Devon Walk to Heanton Punchardon

You can admire a little beauty with Rupali any time :

Wordless Wednesday Walk 2

While Anabel knows the way to my heart.  Via a drystone roundhouse is especially good :

Edin’s Hall Broch

Calling Becky, Debbie, Sue and Margaret- Ulli has found us some more goats!

Hidden Gem Downtown

That’s it for this week!  I’m going to put the brakes on for a little while.  It’s getting too hot to walk on a regular basis, though I did another 6kms yesterday to check out the larger dam at Odeleite.  Not looking too bad at present, but there’s a long way to go.  Take care all, and I’ll see you soon.

153 comments

  1. Btw I’m still soaking in the beauty of the walk that I forgot to go beyond the pictures… thanks for the lovely mention of my blog and so glad to know that you like the name 😃 thanks for being so inspiring 🤗

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  4. Not the most exciting walk??? What amazing views. The waters of the dam look like a blue mirror from the top. Hope you had a hat on and sunscreen on. Beautiful day. Happy Monday, Jo. Heading in to Tuesday already over here 🙂

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  6. So cool, I am from Portugal and didn’t know this place 🙂 anyway, it’s always a pleasure to discover Alentejo eheh have a great day, cheers from Lisbon, PedroL

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    1. There are 2 reservoirs not far from us, Pedrol, and both are nice peaceful spots. How are things in Lisbon? We have a couple of neighbours who come here every summer and can’t wait for things to improve. 🤗💕

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  9. It all looks so lovely and peaceful Jo – places without people are just my thing 🙂 I love the 3rd and 4th large shots, and the donkey does look a bit put out that you were disturbing him 🙂

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  10. The cistus look huge and most impressive. Dwindling water stocks must be a big problem in Portugal and Spain. Even here there’s talk of summer shortages. In hope I look for evidence of governmental advance planning to prepare for the warming climate, but fear those three words are rarely on any government’s agenda.

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  11. How fortuitous that April and May were rather rainy Jo – both for the dam water levels and keeping day trippers away and indoors. It’s like that here – people disappear at the first sign of rain but we like walking along the coast in cooler, damper weather (well most of the time). It’s so important for everyone’s spirits to get out into nature though and lovely you could do this walk round the dam. Love the expression on that donkey’s face – he does look rather affronted that you’re intruding on his personal space! Have a lovely week xx 🙂

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  12. Oh jo such an expression of joy being able to get out and walk. Such a blue sky. It really lifts your spirits to see some parts of the world are coping so well.our restrictions are lifting too. Stay safe Jo

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  14. I am glad you had sufficient rain there to fill up the reservoir. The flowers are certainly grateful for the rain. Lovely photos and gorgeous blue skies. We have been having fantastic weather here in May.

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    1. Friends ‘at home’ have been having the time of their lives since lockdown eased a little, Gilda. Surprising what you can adjust to, when you have to. 🙂 🙂

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  16. How lovely to get out and walk again, blue skies, high water levels in the reservoir and a lemon drizzle cake, what more could you want! Big hugs sent to you Jo xx 💙😍

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    1. I always feel a bit of a cheat if I’ve posted blue skies and it’s grey here, Miriam. 😦 Looks like we could get a little more rain here this week, but it’s always welcome. As was the cake 🙂 🙂 Many thanks, darlin!

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      1. It’s raining here too, the first day of winter so your blue skies were welcome in whatever form! Have a great month ahead Jo. 😊

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  19. Another beautiful walk Jo. So lovely to see your blue skies. I am envious of your reservoir; ours are still far too low (even with all the rain we’re getting).

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    1. Life is strange, Su, isn’t it? Back in the UK friends are boasting glorious blue skies and a heatwave, and here it’s turned cloudy again. We’re on one big merry-go-round 🙂 🙂 I think we might get a few showers this week then it’ll be non-stop summer… probably! Sending hugs to keep you warm!

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