I’m afraid it’s smack down to earth again with today’s walk. No more high flying in Barcelona, but it was fun while it lasted. I’m having to be much more prosaic, because we are again under restrictions here in the Algarve. Depressing, isn’t it, but I’m determined not to wear a long face. The sky here is mostly blue, the fields are wave upon wave of nodding golden oxalis, and the almond trees are hastening from bud to blossom.
The beaches, with their wide open expanses, are once more closed, which makes me sad and seems to make little sense. But there are compensations. Even after all these years I can still find a strip of unexplored territory, if I try hard enough. And that always makes me smile. The freedom of stepping out into an almost unknown world is purely joyful. A narrow path, between stone walls, has me looking out on a scene I know, but how different it feels from the other side of the field. The oxalis colonise every possible crevice in the wall, and where they don’t intrude another invader creeps in.
The olive trees twist and twine, holding each other up. Yawning holes gape in their trunks, a readymade home for small creatures. I’m astonished to spy a bright pink cistus struggling out through the green. Surely it’s too early! But a heart-shaped hole in the rock makes me smile.
But there is no doubt that Spring is here. An asphodel nods in the breeze. Wisps of cloud drift across the sky, and suddenly a shaft of light illuminates the heavens. A moment of glory, and I gaze, transfixed! The almond blossom flutters shyly and a bird pauses, high on its perch.
A change of scene now for, across a road, the salt marshes stretch, away to the sea. The nearest I can get to the forbidden beaches. And so I wander between the channels of salt water, observing the process which will produce Flor do Sal, the area’s precious salt commodity.
A system of gates and pumps move the water from one channel to the next, in an age old method, culminating in the height of summer with salt crystals. Turning away, I head for home, not yet visible in the distance.
This is my reality now. A far cry from bright lights and big city, but beautiful in its own right. And I’m holding hands across the world with many in the same situation. We’ll get through this together.
It’s funny! Some weeks it just rains walks… or potential walks! If I’ve missed anybody out, I apologise in advance. Just give me a nudge! I now seem to be operating on a fortnightly basis, but I’ve no idea where I’m going next. Planning, hey? Join me on Jo’s Monday walk.
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How spectacular is this, from Sue and Dave? Tempted? Well….. not really! You know I love the sun :
Grotto Canyon Ice Walk : Winter Hiking Wonder
Certainly gentler scenery, but still beautiful with Anabel :
Fife Coastal Path: Cambo and Tentsmuir
Fife Coastal Path: Lower Largo to Earlsferry
Another coastal walk from Jonno and Jo, well wrapped up!
Boston, a city I’d love to see! And an Ice Sculpture trail. Pop over and say hello?
Last Day of 2020, Afoot in Boston Harbor
Still in the States, I found this rather beautiful. I’m a compulsive water follower :
You can always find beauty, if you look. And always in Lynn’s company :
And Cadyluck Leedy has a kwestion for you! The answer’s easy!
Why Would You Want to Go to a Botanical Garden in Gothenburg, Sweden?
While Drake makes his own music with the natural world :
Join Margaret for a bit of fun, in and out of the woods :
Sun getting up? Or sunset? The Answer
And have you met Emma? She has some beautiful self catering accommodation :
Jack & Jill and Chattri Memorial South Downs 8.5M/13.6KM Circular
Easy walking in sunshine sound good? Alice is your woman!
And something a little different from Rupali :
While we’re having some fun, can you spot Teresa in these photographs?
Kelly warns you not to get lost in this market. It’s very easily done!
Ending with a beautiful flourish of winter white from our Snow King and Queen :
That’s it for now! Hope you enjoyed it. I should be back with a walk in 2 weeks, come rain, come shine! Take good care in the meantime.
restlessjo 
The flowers are beautiful and the channels are interesting to see. you always do a fine job photographing everything you pass. As long as you can get outside, it’s bearable, isn’t it? But then our restrictions haven’t been too terrible. I can walk into a coffee shop and get something to go. Restaurants will be allowed to serve customers indoors again starting Monday, at 25% capacity. They need the business! Meanwhile, I hope things improve quickly where you are. As you say, we’ll get through it together. 🙂
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It’s certainly getting tiresome, but when you can’t change something you just have to make the best of it. We’ve had a spell of damp, miserable weather which is depressing but does encourage people to stay home. Always a bright side, Lynn 🙂 🙂 Back to glorious sunshine today and I so enjoyed my walk.
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