Jo’s Monday walk : Azinhal, almost ends in tears

A sleepy little village, and a gentle stroll down to the Guadiana and back. A bright blue sky, sun climbing steadily into warmth. A couple of friends for good company. What could possibly go wrong?

Nothing was further from our minds as we left Azinhal, nodding good morning through our masks to a couple of villagers and being careful to maintain a safe distance. Relaxed and happy, we removed the masks and breathed in the wonderful clear air. The trail led out past the church to the fields of crops beyond, hazy mist lining the valley below.

Aware of heavy rains in the previous days, we chose our path carefully, but the gritty surface appeared to have absorbed much of the wet. The oranges positively sparkled in their green surrounds. The old mill had lost its sails, but on the far horizon you could just make out a wind farm, propellers churning through Spanish air. Our nimblest walker climbed the trig point to play lookout.

  • Orange grove
  • Lost its sails
  • The gritty trail
  • Wind farm on the horizon in distant Spain
  • I see no ships!

From yon side of a flimsy rope fence we were eyed uncertainly by a herd of young bullocks. Avoiding eye contact we strode by, into the next valley, where a more pastoral scene met our eyes. A flock of sheep bleated warnings to their young. Gambolling legs had strayed from mother’s side.

We were back at ground level, the Guadiana sparkling beside us, and the smell of newly cut eucalyptus filling the air. An idyllic scene, with fisherman midstream, tending to his nets. Little did we know that all was soon to go horribly wrong. The path alongside the river was a bit muddy and wet, and within a short distance we came upon a rope preventing access to the next section of the walk. Our choices were to concede defeat and retrace our steps, or climb over the rope and chance going ahead. You know what we did, don’t you?

Looking furtively around – there was no-one in sight other than the boatman, and some far distant workers – we lowered the rope and stepped over it. There was no obvious reason or explanation for it being there but, as the ground became increasingly squelchy and oozy, we began to have our suspicions. Feet slithered in the mud and we teetered precariously for a few yards. It sucked at our boots, clinging on and making balance difficult. Looking for an alternative, my husband climbed up onto the spongy grass alongside our path and, with blind faith, we followed. The Guadiana was flowing swiftly along, a few feet below, and definitely focused the mind. Sunny and warm though it was, no way did I fancy swimming practise. For what seemed like hours we tottered along, trying to find a firm foothold. Looking back the rope seemed impossibly distant, and the thought of slithering back the way we’d come a most unwelcome one. Whose bright idea, you catch yourself wondering.

The path stretched ahead and round a curve, looking equally muddy for as far as we could see. Legs were getting tired and a decision needed to be made. Far across the fields we knew there was a much drier path, but the terrain approaching it was very boggy. And somewhere within that area the young bullocks were roaming freely. There wasn’t really a choice so, reluctantly we ducked beneath another rope and set off across the field, choosing our steps with care. The land was saturated and many times a leap for dry ground was needed. But, eventually, we gained the far side and firmer ground, and heaved a collective sigh of relief. I broke out some sticky lollies in a moment of wild celebration. They’d been bought for Halloween and had sat patiently, waiting for trick or treaters, ever since. As we climbed steadily back towards the village we caught sight of a few bullocks. Happily the lush green pasture was more appealing to them than our lollies.

And us? As always we found a cake to suit the occasion. There is a café in the village which sells very delicious cakes, but it was closed. When the need arises, we can be resourceful! Almond cake, in case you were wondering. And so, with Azinhal and almonds, I’m joining Patti’s challenge.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #126

walking logo

If you can find a little time, please visit the following lovely people. You won’t be sorry!

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A fabulous way to start a roundup! Join Mel at sunrise :

Start Your Day with a Sunrise. Walking up Tomaree Head, Nelson Bay

I met a nice man called Allan recently. Pop over and say hello?

Autumn 2020 – Part 27 – Valley of the 5 Lakes Hike – Jasper National Park

A familiar friend, who always enjoys a chat, Mari loves her Isle of Wight home :

A Ticket to Ryde – and Then a Walk

You can always spend time with Drake. I love his outlook on life :

Effervescent, the relaxed way

Another of life’s mysteries

This is in Denzil’s Top Ten in Belgium, so it has to be a goodie :

Walking along the River Lesse from Gendron-Celles station

Natalie keeps her cheerful head on, and simply enjoys the beauty :

Along Humber Bay Shores

Boats, blue skies and a new little dog all make Eunice happy :

Leeds/Liverpool Canal – Snowy’s first walk

While Ann Christine and Milo make the most wonderful company :

Thursday Thoughts – Younger Days

Can’t beat a bit of…. weather! Join Margaret on a good yomp in Wharfedale :

Fog and mist, cloud and sun

Thankfully, Jonno and Jo are back together now, keeping each other warm :

Windy Wintery Walk at Whitstable

Not strictly a walk, but a piece of nostalgia for me. Be sure to watch the video in Robin’s comments :

Kielder Viaduct

Nothing if not an eclectic mix this week, I defy you not to find pleasure with Marsha :

#Haibun: Granite Dells, Prescott, AZ Walk #1

Or enhance your life with the beauty in Lynn’s world :

Local Walks: Beach and Dune

And share some wonderful memories with Terri :

Sunday Stills: City #Sidewalks

Alison takes us on a special mountain hike in Japan :

The God of Rice – a Fushimi-Inari pilgrimage

And we journey into December very beautifully, with Jude :

Garden Walk in Winter

My posts have become a little erratic lately, but I’m sure you’ll have noticed that this isn’t a Monday. It’s been a difficult week and the unexpected death of my stepbrother, Tony, on Sunday left me adrift. He was a kind and gentle man, who will be sorely missed. Two days later the life support of a friend here in the Algarve was switched off. Neither deserved to die so young. Finishing writing my walk has been a good distraction. I hope to have one more Jo’s Monday walk before Christmas. I can almost guarantee it will be on a Monday.

131 comments

  1. Pingback: A for Alley(s) in Florence! – mazeepuran (माझे e-पुराण)

  2. Hooray, Jo! You joined us! I’m delighted. And what an adventure through mud and pastures with bullocks! But in the end, there was cake and I’m sure a big sigh of relief. I enjoyed your walk, Jo! I’m so glad you joined us this week.

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  4. Jo, I’m so sorry for the loss of your stepbrother and friend. It’s been such a hard year. So many have left us far too early. I hope you find solace in walking and writing, and know that all of us fellow bloggers and readers are thinking of you. ♥

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    1. Thanks, Carol. A week I’m not sorry to see the end of, but there are 2 widows who will be feeling it much more than me. Starting to rebuild your life after 20 years with someone must be so hard.

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  8. Reading the comments, I think I’ve missed a post or two. I’m glad you had good company on your muddy adventure — and cake at the end. I’ll go and try inform myself on the other.

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    1. No worries, Su. It’s been a week and a half! My Norwegian friend is being cremated today and there will be candles lit and drinks later, then a church service for him next Thursday. Coincidentally the same day as my stepbrother’s funeral so I’ll have 2 video funerals that day! How very strange is life now. On a more cheerful note, I hope it stopped raining finally, and that you got to see your Dad? 🙂 🙂

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  9. Well that was definitely challenging! But all’s well that ends well, especially when there’s cake to be found. Such beautiful bright blue sunny photos warm my heart here in chill grey Vancouver. And thank you for the inclusion in your list of Monday walks! I do feel honoured.
    Alison xo

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  11. So very sorry to hear about your loss Jo – seems so unfair doesn’t it. Live every moment as they say. Good for you for getting out in the fresh air and even turning it into an adventure! Lovely images and a fun story to go with them. Thanks for joining us with this one!

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    1. A for Algarve is pretty obvious, isn’t it, Tina? I’ve not been thinking straight most of the week or I’d have got here sooner. Glad you could enjoy it with me in the end. We all need friends to share with 🙂 🙂

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  12. You are such an adventurous woman, Jo…nearly too much this time! But as in any fairy tale – there was a happy ending (and a cake)! Thank you for the walk ♥

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      1. Jo, my friend. Someday I hope we could do one of those walks together…That would have been an opportunity to talk and laugh – and have a cake or two…

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  14. What a week you’ve had Jo. So sorry to hear of the loss of your friends, but what a walk, over the rope and into the unknown, I thought at any moment you would be swimming or attacked 😱 but thankfully all’s well that ends well with cake 🍰. Have a happy and safe Christmas

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  15. Well you did get some great photos out of your adventure. I wouldn’t have enjoyed that squelching feeling either. I’m glad nothing serious befell you, but I bet your shoes were a bit worse for wear. That almond cake looks so yummy. Was it baked in that gorgeous oven? 😃 xxx

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  16. So sorry to hear about your two losses. What a hard time you are having.

    As for the walk, it has a familiar ring in the sense that I know of Some People who march off into boggy patches in a gung-ho fashion leaving Other People to slither along behind, often reaching a point where neither going back nor forward seems possible. Ah well, I’ve survived so far! (Did you guess it was me?)

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    1. Some of us don’t get any more sensible with age, do we, Anabel? We need a bit of laughter and irresponsibility 🙂 🙂 Your Advents are lovely! I just discovered one in my Reader that I’d missed. Thanks, hon!

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  17. OK, that wouldn’t have been fun, but I was expecting something much worse, like someone falling or the like, so I didn’t feel as bad as I thought I might. 🙂 I love the oven door and the cake looks good. I’m also glad to know that we haven’t suddenly not only had a time difference but a rather large day difference! Glad everyone survived but sorry about your friend and stepbrother.

    janet

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    1. I did say ‘almost’ in tears, Janet. If I’d fallen in the Guadiana I doubt I’d be writing this, but silly though we undoubtedly were, we did have fun. 🙂 🙂 And I’m sorry to confuse. The walk was meant for Monday but events overtook me.

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  19. Unfortunately Jo, a couple of the walks have the wrong links, I think: ‘This is in Denzil’s Top Ten in Belgium, so it has to be a goodie’ and :’Alison takes us on a special mountain hike in Japan’

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