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. Dear Jo, it is pleasant to read about my own country and your experience. I am more from the North and I don’t know these places and I was in Algarve only a couple of times. Even for me, as a Portuguese, when I hear about Algarve, I see beaches. But it is not only! Yes, all Portugal is beaches, lakes and dams, history, architecture… While I was reading your post and seeing your wonderful pictures, I felt the warm breath of the Mediterranean climate refreshed by the humidity of the water from the dam and the smell of creeping plants… ah, yes, the smell of lavender that you mention… and probably rosemary and other plants that I don’t know from my region. With your post, I had a good and familiar feeling. I hope you keep enjoy all your Monday morning walks and thank you for sharing.

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    1. Always good to welcome Portuguese people here. Your country is so beautiful. Where is home for you? My own home in the UK was always beside the sea, but often chilly 🙂 🙂

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      1. My home now is outside of Portugal, in Austria. This is also one of the reasons why I miss so much Portugal! In Portugal, I grew up in Aveiro region. Some day I will write about it.

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      3. Austria is a lovely beautiful country that I compare with North East of Portugal. Both have simmilar climate, different from where I comming from. Where I am comming from there is no snow. I miss here the other part of Portugal: the ocean climate! Yes, I have been here in this part of Europe for work since long time. Some day, I will write about “Ria de Aveiro”, Aveiro canals and the “Moliceiro” boats… and… and…

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  3. The donkey is definitely giving you the once over Jo. wonderful to be out, see the replenishing of the water and bask under the glorious blue skies. Nature can be a great comfort to us during these challenging days. Sending hugs across the miles and hoping all is well.

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    1. We were so excited to be going a little beyond our neighbourhood, Sue. And those blue skies are almost a constant now. 🙂 🙂 Good, thanks, hon. Hope for the same for you and the family.

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  5. After all that rain, the skies cleared and we got to enjoy your fabulous walk. I love the cistus flowers, Jo, and the views. I wish you had shown us the cake. 😊😊 Take care and stay well.

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  6. Beautiful photos, Jo. And the blue color is magnificent! Happy to read that the water level has risen, nurturing the flowers and fields. I enjoyed walking there with you, if only in my mind.
    Have a great weekend, dear!
    *hugs*

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    1. That blue is almost constant at this time of year, Marion. We had a little rain to freshen us up yesterday but by afternoon it was blue again. Thanks darlin! Enjoy your weekend too 🤗💕💕

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  8. May not have been your most exciting walk but the colours of the sky and water at the dam were fabulous. Still a lovely fresh-air hike with great views in good company and two pieces of cake at the end. What’s not to like?

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  10. A beautiful experience with nature and outdoors. Truly miss going out but wife scared of traveling far from where we live. So I have my short walks just get some fresh air. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. Haven’t written in years but my recent post I started just before stay at home. Praying for you and your family as well. Take care and be safe.

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    1. Thank you so much for coming here. I was so surprised to see your post, but it was compulsive reading. My daughter has been saying the same thing. She works with NHS in Nottingham, UK. I guess we believe what we want to. Stay safe! Very best wishes 🙂 🙂

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    1. We were in a friend’s garden, Carol, and I was too busy chatting and admiring their place to think about it. The lady is famous for her lemon drizzle cake 🙂 🙂

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  15. Such lovely landscapes Jo, how could you be disappointed with a walk like that? And pretty poppies too! I was taking a photo of the sane rock cistus this evening. We drove into Hayle and OH had his first outing away from home in 12 weeks! And we found a chippy open so we had a lovely fish and chip supper too. After a week of high temps (though not nearly as high as yours) we are back to mid teens tomorrow with the promise of some rain. I have to admit the garden really could do with a decent soaking, but I fear it is only going to be a smidgen. Don’t be a stranger 😁

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    1. Not disappointed really, Jude, but once you leave the dam it all becomes a bit nondescript. I focused on the blues, of course. Yay for the chippy 🙂 🙂

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  16. How lovely to see you returning to your enchanting walks and enjoying your after hike desserts. What are the most useful phrases you’ve learned in Portuguese since moving to the Algarve? Take care!

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  20. Jo, I know you said it wasn’t the most exciting walks but seriously, with the sky so blue and the water too, it is still a pretty picture. I enjoyed it . 😊
    Also thank you for the marvellous introduction to my walk. Someday, hope to run into you too. Have a great day !

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