Jo’s Monday walk : Porto Carvalhoso

Some of you have already met Medronho, the Strawberry Tree. It lines the Algarve hillside at this time of year, when early mornings and evenings can have a nip in the air. I’m sure that many a nip of the firewater distilled from the Medronho fruit has been imbibed here in these hills, to ward off the winter chills.

It was on just such a morning that I clambered up the steep hill above the village of Porto Carvalhoso, with a few like-minded friends. I didn’t notice anyone with a hip flask but coloured water bottles are the perfect disguise. Many of the cork oaks had been stripped, vulnerable in their nakedness.

Up and over the hill we went. After the initial scramble the trail leveled out and there was time to enjoy our surrounds. A striking, stone house had good views down the valley, while the tumbledown next door was clearly marked with the initials that denote the boundary of someone’s property. We were following a route on an App called Wikiloc, from which we’ve had mixed results. Anyone who subscribes can add a walk, so if they get a little lost and have to retrace their steps… well, you usually end up doing the same.

On this particular occasion we were gazing down the valley trying to fathom which way next. The route appeared to drop down a slippery slope, with no obvious way to descend. Fortunately a brave volunteer decided to test it out and, reassured, we followed on. The trods were completely overgrown. Happily no twisted ankles resulted, and soon the path became visible again. A rich tapestry of soft greens and beige surrounded us. In the distance a small cluster of houses invited. On our approach the sound of sawing filled the air, a sizeable logpile for the winter nights.

A stream runs through the bottom of the valley, the mill race watching in silence as the water gurgles. We wonder if there will be a water crossing, but thankfully not this time. It’s getting deep after recent rains. Instead we start the gentle climb back to the village, where our car awaits.

I remember this day as a light-hearted one. Part of a glorious weekend. Time with friends is precious. For now, they are my family. Porto Carvalhoso is a tiny village, just off the N270 which runs north from Tavira.

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I had to share a walk today, because a backlog of shares is building up. Please find some time to visit the following walks. You might well find a friend. And maybe join me next time, here on Jo’s Monday walk? You’ll be very welcome.

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Isn’t Autumn beautiful? Meg’s happy to share :

Autumn Scenery

And the photos in this one are stunning! Thanks, Denzil and Herman :

The Millennium Tower and La Fange de l’Abime

Natalie managed Walktober. One of these days I’ll get there!

Fun Ride/My Walktober

Eunice enjoyed a pretty part of the Yorkshire Dales :

Kirby Lonsdale – exploring somewhere new

And if you should one day be in need of a periwig, Marion knows just the place!

A walk around Abergavenny

Meanwhile, Margaret asks a very fair kwestion :

What’s the point of walking?

I’m always affected by the way Drake sees the world :

Unaffected, the affected way

Lack of noise

How about a gentle stroll with Albert?

Shoreline Walk – Return via Western Foreshores

Or a little soft mist, with Rupali :

Weekend 110: A walk in the mist

I never can resist a waterfall, and Aiva is the perfect guide :

A fantastic walk of the weekend : Exploring Ireland’s Highest Waterfall

Why not take a visual stroll with Flavia?

Vico Equense – Ceramics (Part 1)

While Carol takes us Skywalking in Queensland :

I Spy

And Kelly gets even higher in beautiful Bali!

Atop Gunung Agung

This week I will have been a resident of the Algarve for two years. I expected to write an update on Living the Dream, but right now I’m feeling sad. Hopefully I’ll give myself a shake and ‘crack on’!

112 comments

  2. Pingback: Fog and mist, cloud and sun – From Pyrenees to Pennines

  3. I thought I recognized your strawberry tree. It’s an Arbutus. We used sing that song at school, ‘My love’s an Arbutus by the borders of Lene. So slender and shapely in her girdle of green’. Ah, you’ve brought back some ancient memories. 😘

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    1. We had a lovely day. 8 of us, split into 2 groups for the walk and 2 tables at the restaurant afterwards. 🙂 🙂
      I can pick up your blog from the comment (hooray!) now so I’ll pop over in a few minutes.

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  12. I’ve missed your walks, Jo, totally my fault. I had a mild bout with Covid, which limited my walks, plus we are in final packing mode to move out of state in three weeks. We’re moving to snow country in Eastern Washington and I’ve asked for snowshoes for Christmas! I hope to link a post in two weeks about some streets I’ve walked. Thank you for the sunshine and beautiful scenery!

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    1. Bless you, Terri! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂 🙂 So glad your Covid experience was a mild one, and what a time to have it! I really don’t envy you the snow, beautiful though it can be. Nowhere is safe right now. I daren’t look at my phone this morning for the latest news regarding a friend. He was in a critical condition yesterday.

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  13. I don’t know how I missed this one but sometimes the emails just pile in and I can’t cope with them all. I pick out the ones I really want to read and ignore the others but yours I always want to read. So, finally caught up and as usual, it’s a lovely post with your usual enlightening images. I mus confess I don’t find digital b&w as good as old-fashioned film – especially 35 mm. I think digital loses sharpness in b&w. Nevertheless, they do make a contrast with the others, but the glorious blue skies of the Algarve just can’t be shown to their best advantage in anything other than colour. Hope all still goes well with you there. My hairdresser is from Lisbon and her mother lives in the Algarve and I have a running commentary on what is happening there – or i did until she had to close again this month.

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    1. Jude led me down the black and white path, Mari, and I like to ring a few changes, but I’ll always see life in technicolor. Personally I’m fine but we are hanging on, waiting for news of a friend who is on the brink. What a frightening world this can be 😟💕💕

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      1. Yes it is and it’s made worse by politicians not being truthful with us so we are left feeling in the dark and like scared children. My best friend was cremated yesterday and I was able to attend the funeral but I wish I hadn’t now as being spaced out in separate pews was awful and there was no feeling of coming together to grieve (or celebrate the life as seems to be preferred today). Then just a nod of the head to the grieving close family and we all went on our way – what an end to things.

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  14. Pingback: Effervescent, the relaxed way | Le Drake Noir

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