Leaving the sea behind for a little while, one of my favourite roads in the Algarve is the N270. It winds steadily up into the hills, a series of twists and turns, with glimpses of small villages in the valleys below. As the road levels out you come to the market town of Sáo Brás de Alportel. It’s a nice peaceful spot for a wander. Come with me and we’ll see what we can find.
As with most traditional towns in Portugal, the streets are mainly cobbled. Claiming a convenient patch of shade, a snowy white cat regards me solemnly with its one green and one blue eye. Is it my imagination or does that lady on the wall look more anxious as I look back at her?
Around the corner, the entrance to the episcopal palace gardens, beyond which sparkles the municipal pool. This lovely outdoor facility was renovated last year and I expected to see it busy on this warm summer day. Another casualty of Covid-19, I suspect.
Much of Sáo Brás is a little dog-eared and worn, but resourceful locals have done their best to brighten the shabbiest walls. The local tourist information office and art gallery was open and I popped in to examine current trends. An interesting perspective on a corn field?
The town has a lovely church, the scene of devout and colourful celebrations at Easter. The streets are decorated with a multitude of flower heads and floral torches are paraded through them to a chant of ‘Hallelujah’. Not this year, of course, but at least they can’t take away the beautiful view.
Somebody must have had a job lot of paper swallows, because they appear on several of the artworks. How many swallows make a summer?
But the town is not short of more conventional beauty. The azulejos are as fine as any you will see. This cheerful scooter picks out the lemon of the background tile rather nicely, don’t you think?
The central square had a makeover a couple of years ago, and has become home to several modern art pieces. I was happy to find this metal family in a nearby street. Very appropriately, wearing their masks.
Perhaps you’d like to see the town in happier times, Celebrating life at Easter. We have to believe they’ll come again.
Meanwhile, just a few walks to share this week, which inclines me to think I could make Jo’s Monday walk a fortnightly feature, and confuse everyone! Today I’m going to join Sami, who shares street art every week on Monday Mural.
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Ducks and dragonflies… I’m smitten, Janet :
Monday walk…Sweetwater Wetlands
He’s home again! Not such a terrible place to be, Drake :
Is anything more splendid than this? A Cornish garden, much loved by Jude :
While Albert goes in search of another splendid view :
Sherwood Homestead (Former) Walk via Mountain Creek Road (Plus)
Ending with Janaline in exotic Shanghai :
Wishing you all a good week, though I know life is difficult right now in many places. Take care till next time!
That seems like a nice walk you had. Love the murals and the metal family, some good shots you got there Jo. So in
awe of the anxious lady mural!
It’s a peaceful little place, but with plenty of character (and a nice Indian restaurant 🙂 )
Jo! This place is really tempting with or without the Indian restaurant😄Hope you’re having a good day!
Just having breakfast, thanks, then I’m off to play cro4uet 🙂 🙂 A certain letter is missing from my keyboard so I have to be inventive. Have a nice day!
ThanQ! You have fun! 🙂
meme of the moment- “….resourceful locals have done their best to brighten the shabbiest walls…..” 👉 https://chemicalgorithms.blogspot.com/
Another of these lovely little places you visit Jo 🙂 I love the fact they are smaller and out of the way a bit. I especially like the pretty white cat, the azulejos and the yellow scooter in front of the wall! Thanks as always for sharing xx 🙂
Hi darlin 🤗💕 Just on my way out to lunch with an hour walk through the salt pans first to get an appetite. Catch up soon xx
That sounds a lovely plan Jo! Enjoy your walk and a well-earned lunch! xx 🙂
ooh there is lots new street art there 🙂 can’t wait to explore on our eventual return
We hadn’t been for quite a while but it’s always good for a saunter and an Indian 🤗💕 We’re walking up that way on Monday.
pretty!
Thanks, Vanessa 🙂 🙂
Oooh! those murals are great (yes, funny how the woman’s expression changes with the angle)! I wonder if the artist was aware of that? Couldn’t help but think the metal statue at the end reminded me of the simple joys. We’ll get through this, Jo! I don’t think you could have picked a better spot to sit it out.
I know I’ve been lucky, Gunta. Trouble is, we don’t always see it. 😦
Love those murals in the windows. Modern, but still they are in harmony with the traditional street decor.
It has so much character, and yet it’s a sleepy sort of place… till Easter comes! 🙂 🙂
That’s great
Thanks 🙂 🙂
Diverse walks have led to this feature of found objects, and the first picture – showing a French bed at the original and wild Havel river – reflects our latest discovery from last weekend in the German federal state of Brandenburg, an area with only little pandemic risks, so there all is really quite relaxed. So we are trying our best to live in these crazy times, please find here is the respective link:
https://suburbantracker.com/2020/08/11/fundstuecke/
Crazy is right, Ulli. Parts of the UK are again facing lockdown and our son’s job is in jeopardy. It’s not the easiest time to be young and trying to make your way in the world. 😦 Thanks, hon!
We are also crazy because after being together now for 36 years, we have now finally decided getting married this year even under COVID19 conditions which makes it a bit more complicated than usual – but love is stronger than any pandemic 🙂
Many congratulations to you 🙂 🙂
Very cool place, Jo! I think Portugal and the South of Italy are very much alike in terms of use of color and vegetation; for some reason your post reminded me of my visit to Ostuni, Apulia, which is also known as “the white city”. Here’s the link to my post, in case you’d like to have a stroll in Ostuni with me 😉
https://thegrowingupchronicle.com/2020/05/15/ostuni-citta-bianca-puglia-valleditria/#whiteostuni
Sounds like a lovely idea. Be with you soon 🤗💕
Once again, you make me long to travel to Portugal. Empty swimming pool or not, quiet streets or not, this is a treasure, if you ask me. The art, the azulejos, that runway-model-beauty of a cat – it’s all delightful. Thank you.
It’s a lovely place to be and I enjoy showcasing it. And yet, it’s not home… Don’t tell anyone, will you? 🤔💕
Jo, it seems that street art provides the added jewelry on this pretty town. I love how art fills the empty windows and doorways. And the doves and masks are the perfect addition to the metal family. 🙂 Thanks for the lovely walk. ~Terri
Dilapidation is commonplace in most of the towns and villages, Terri, but it never seems to impair the beauty. So happy to have you along today 🤗💕
Whoops nearly forgot Jo… a short walk in North Korea this time round ..
https://ramblingwombat.wordpress.com/2020/09/15/pujon-stone-river-and-revolutionary-site/
Thanks, hon 🥰
I believe they will come again – just hope it is soon
And LOVE the metal family!
Thanks for the art today! I needed that
Love the unexpected nature of street art, Yvette. When it’s good, it can be very good! And it’s great for taking your eye away from the shabby bits 🙂 🙂 Glad to have your company. Have a good weekend!
😉
Always those stark, blue colours against dazzling white. Just gotta love it. Sure there are many lovely places in the Algarve area. I do enjoy coming along on your trips.
Many places, Otto, even on a stormy day like today. You would have loved the high tides. I can’t really do justice to them but I love to be there. Thanks a lot for your company 🤗💕
It’s great when you come across some unexpected street art. Thanks for sharing these lovely works with us, Jo.
They keep adding to it, Carol, which makes return visits still interesting 🙂 🙂
Such an amazing place to walk. So many beautiful things to see. Love it, Jo!
It has so much character for a small town, Teresa. Happy you could join me there 🙂 🙂
I always love small towns, Jo. My pleasure.
Hi Jo! I love the brilliant blue sky, the tiles and your beautiful photos. Thank you 🙂
I’m lucky that life here hasn’t been too restricted, Meg, and there are plenty of beautiful places to visit. Many thanks for your company. Nice to see you back! 🙂 🙂