Jo’s Monday walk : From Bay to Beautiful Bay

You’ll be happy to know that I was properly shod for this little expedition.  Relatively speaking, of course!  But then, I wasn’t going to The end of the world.  It’s amazing how far you can actually see, round this wonderful coastline.  The cliffs seem to roll on and on.  Here I’m standing, in the fresh wind I’d been longing for, looking down on Praia do Tonel.  Ahead lies the Sagres promontory.  Behind me, a modest little pottery shop.

The commanding fortress looks out to sea in all directions.  Built in the time of Prince Henry the Navigator, its most distinctive feature is the compass rose, a giant pebble compass, 43 metres in diameter.  Within the fortress, Nossa Senhora de Graca dates from 1579, replacing the original chapel built for Henry in 1459.  He spent much of his later life here, dying in 1460.

The sea sucks greedily at the cliffs, battering its way in on the calmest of days.  It’s a place to be in awe of nature, yet fishermen cast their rods with the nonchalance of familiarity, from the most precarious nooks and crannies in the rock face.

From the solid entrance to the fortress, Rua da Fortaleza gradually dwindles into Sagres, the cobbles culminating in a timeless square, the heart of the community.  My visit coincides with an easing of restrictions related to lockdown and Covid-19.  Caution is in the air and people are sparse, yet there’s a peace and calm to this sun-soaked spot.  It’s not hard to linger here, sheltered from the wind, and indulge and daydream a little.

Reluctantly I move on.  Curving round the cliff tops, views sweep down to Praia da Mareta and across the bay.  The sun is gaining strength as I follow the road past an old school, converted to a café, and a straggle of surf shops, eating establishments and a tiny post office.  The signs are leading me to Praia da Baleeira and the old port.

From here the lookout is to distant Praia do Martinhal.  The bay is protected by the four islets lined up on the horizon.  It’s a bustling port area, temporarily becalmed.  The small cove has tempted just a few to frolic on the sands.

I’m pleasantly tired now, and climb back up the steep cliff, passing the pretty tasca with the incomparable view, to a more modest eatery, where the locals happily pass the time of day.  I try to catch a few scraps of gossip while gazing out across the bay.

walking logo

I hope you enjoyed a wander across Sagres.  Even in high summer it’s a place where you need a warm jacket early morning, and certainly when the mist creeps in on an evening.  I’d love to see it with the sea raging and storming those cliffs.  For now I’m content to share a few walks.  Many thanks to all of you who keep them coming.

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Carol has shared some truly spectacular scenery from Australia :

Rain in the Rainforest

Cloud Shapes

A Walk in the Forest

While Marion treads carefully on limestone pavement in Yorkshire :

Malham Cove

And speaking of limestone, Drake introduces us to a rather special one :

Some answers blow in the wind

While, just across the water, we are…

Surrounded by horizons

An early start and a bit of a climb certainly didn’t daunt Albert :

Jerrabomberra Mountain Reserve-Summit Walk

Nor is there any reason to stay at home with local views like this!

A Walk in the Woods – or beating those stay-cation blues!

Walking doesn’t have to be restricted to Mondays.  Whatever suits you, Colline  🙂

A Sunday Stroll

Rupali enjoys taking us out for the day and exploring her beautiful world :

Weekend 101 -Hiking

Finding sanctuary in nature

While Susan finds delight in the simplest of pleasures :

Walking the urban forest

Natalie always manages to keep herself busy, no matter where :

Summer Week 4 :Trillium Park

It’s a long while since I’ve been to Morecambe Bay, and I’m happy to do it in Eunice’s company :

Morecambe promenade – south to north

How about this for a grand finale?  A fabulous post from Sheetal :

The Ultimate Guide to Florence

Rather a lot of shares this week.  Please visit where you can, and apologies for anyone I’ve missed.  I’m temporarily becalmed myself, after a wonderful family visit.  Take care all, and have a good week.

144 comments

  3. It’s hard to imagine the sea raging against the cliffs and into the harbor with these lovely shots in mind, Jo. That first photo is a stunner. I could look at that all day long. Until a storm rolls in! 🙂 What a wonderful walk – I’m sure you are ecstatic to be out and about and it’s extra pleasurable without the summer crowds. If you feel up for sharing next Monday, I did some walking myself as well, last week Finally!

    https://www.roamingabout.com/getaway-to-the-white-mountains/

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    1. In the 3 weeks since I did this walk much has happened, Liesbet, and the Algarve is summer busy with Portuguese, Spanish and French. Empty beaches are pure luxury, but as you know, we’re not seriously short of beach here. 🙂 Glad you could finally get out and about. See you soon!

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  4. Love every picture, enjoyed every word. This is feeling alive and living should be like. Truly appreciate them. Just want to thank you too for the feedback. Glad to see your son and his family. Time with family has never been more precious than this year with the pandemic . Stay safe & God bless my friend. .

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      1. Today our Edge breezes, on the other hand, are not at al welcome, requiring re-donning of vests and sweaters, plus gloomy skies. I need to get back to your blue.

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  11. Pingback: Let it be | Le Drake Noir

    1. Not for those with vertigo, hey Meg, but compulsive viewing for the rest 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin! Wondering if, and where, we should venture for the wedding anniversary next week. My heart is back in England. No good news for yours?

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      1. Oh so true. I can’t wait until I can go somewhere interesting, away from home, where there aren’t many people. Not that I don’t like people, just feel like finding a private haven just for a spell of R&R.

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  19. What a glorious walk Jo – I feel like I’ve been there (altho I haven’t thanks to Covid 😡. Are those churros I see on the plate? A personal favorite for sure! What a beautiful place – I’m quite envious.

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    1. Churros are something I would rarely have, Tina, but I was hot and a little foot weary. Seemed like a nice accompaniment to the wine. 🙂 🙂 Variety and spice and all that!

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  20. Thanks Jo for another beautiful slice of Portuguese paradise. It’s a lovely sunny day here in Tauranga and time for me to hit the trails, not literally!

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