Jo’s Monday walk : a sea breeze

A week or two ago I caught the very busy ferry from Olháo across to the barrier island, Culatra.  The sea was flat calm and a limpid blue and the air scarcely moved, such was the heat.  Alighting at Farol, I followed the path across the island, passing chalet houses, a couple of cafés and the lighthouse for which it is named, to the beach.

A cluster of people were relaxing there, but I was surprised at how rapidly the ferry’s full load had disappeared.  My aim was to walk along the beach, catching whatever breeze I could, until I reached the small hamlet, Culatra.  There I would have a light meal while waiting for the ferry to carry me back to the mainland.

It’s a relaxed place, and I sat watching a youngster entertaining himself by throwing hoops, beside the church.

I sat for an hour or so, and in that time the wind steadily increased.  The umbrellas began to flap and sway and, as I looked out across the water, white horses began to prance and the boats to bob wildly.  A galleon at anchor in the bay had started to unfurl her sails, but must have thought better of it, for soon they were neatly stowed away.

In 1941 catastrophic gales hit this coast, wiping out much of the lowrise property and beach huts, and rearranging the sand spits and channels of the Ria Formosa.  This is the front line, which protects the Eastern Algarve from the ferocity of the Atlantic Ocean.  It comes as no surprise that the islanders, despite seemingly carefree ways, have huge respect for the nature that surrounds them.

Each August the whole island takes part in a thanksgiving ceremony to Nossa Senhora.  Maybe you have to be fearless if you’re born here.  By the ferry departure point the next generation lounge in the sun.  Minutes earlier they had been leaping with gay abandon into the choppy waters.

For a closer look at the island, let me direct you to an older post of mine, Ilha da Culatra.  Meanwhile, there’s cake!

walking logo

Many thanks for your company again this week.  Temperatures are starting to abate a little, and gentle walks will continue for the time being.  Join me whenever you like here on Jo’s Monday walk.

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Never mind the weather!  Mention food and Debs will be there!

A Borough Market wander for foodies

Come and count cacti with Janet?

Monday walk…Saguaro National Park

Alice certainly has some beautiful property on her doorstep.  Take a wander with her :

Harleston Village

Brambles or a story?  Take your pick with Susan :

Walking with a book in hand

Walking for blackberries

What is it about Drake and tractors?  Sark looks delightful :

In a way sailed back time

No traffic jam

Aseem might prefer crowds and big cities :

Photography: Daytime

But Sue has the beauty of nature right on her doorstep :

Brown Lowery Provincial Park – Calgary Day Trip Secret Gem

And Rosemay tackles the new block editor on our behalf.  Got to be worth a visit!

Torpedo Trail Yallingup

Another day, another dollar!  Well, hopefully, anyway.  Funny how Mum’s old sayings stay in your head.  Have a good week!

94 comments

  1. Enjoyed looking at your photos of faraway places… haven’t been able to leave town for the past 6 months so I have to content myself looking at other people’s adventures… hope that will change soon!

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    1. I have to admit, I’d find that hard. Although we were in lockdown for a couple of months, it seems ages ago now. But who knows what’s around the corner? Wish you luck! 🙂 🙂

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  2. I love a good day trip and when it’s on a boat that’s even better. What a lovely day you had, weather, good pictures – and cake.

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  3. A busy crowded ferry would put me off I’m afraid, but I know you are not only restless but also fearless! And I think you have definitely become affected by the heat in describing those feeble waves as prancing ponies! And you of North Sea bloodstock too! Thank you for the stroll along the beach though and the lovely cheesecake at the end. I do like cheesecake. Hope all’s well in Leeds. We have news of a hospital appointment at last! Yay! Keep those fingers crossed for him.

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    1. Well, I know you’re not fond of being on the water at the best of times, Jude. I’m happy enough if I can sit outside, and it’s worth the trip because the beaches on Culatra and Armona are wonderful, and largely empty. I just like the whole ambience of them. 🙂 🙂 As for the waves, I know they don’t look much in the photos but it was blowing a gale as we headed back. It’s a substantial ferry but we did our share of rocking and rolling. 🙂 Off to watch Thiem. Serena was impressive, but let’s not talk about Novak!

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  4. A beautiful ride on the ocean. I love the term ‘white horses’. I’m also very fond of the cake. thanks for that. I’m gulping it down virtually for breakfast. just above freezing here this morning Jo. Sending you some of those cool breezes your way.

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  10. I understand about the heat and gentle walks, Jo. I walk at dawn to catch the “coolest” part of the day and it’s still hot. The breeze can make all the difference. I think people who live near the sea feel about nature as do farmers. They live with it so intimately that they have to respect it, whereas people in the city all too often only think of it if it inconveniences them.

    Today I have a walk that features water, something not usual in the desert, but always appreciated, like the breeze. (That cake looks rather good.)

    Monday walk…Sweetwater Wetlands

    janet

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  15. A nice little jaunt to start the week Jo but I’ll have to stop this cake eating business 🙂 I’ve just read your previous post about the island and it looks lovely, I like the colourful little cottages and beach houses 🙂

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    1. Not really a walk as such, Margaret, but I needed to share the walks that came in through the week. I ummed and ahh’d, then looked through my recent photos… 🙂 🙂 A wet back to school? No, it’ll be tomorrow, won’t it, and sunny for the rest of the week

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      1. Well if our Premier Mark McGowan lets us out of WA first and then Australia next! There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet with no idea of when this will be.

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