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.
So sorry to hear that you have restrictions back again Jo – it does seem hard you can’t go to the beaches even though you can easily walk there. Even though our lockdown has just been lifted we still have increased restrictions (at this stage only for another week fingers crossed). We have to wear masks at all times when leaving home even when outdoors. It is quite strange having to exercise wearing a mask and not that easy to breathe in the fresh air. The relaxed restrictions now permit leaving a mask off when doing vigorous exercise outside, which apparently means running or cycling. My fast walking doesn’t count and certainly not with the dog who stops to sniff everything! On a sunnier note it does look like spring is on its way with you – the flowers and plants are so pretty and the skies look so blue. I hope you can continue to get out for your walks – I think it would be very difficult otherwise, stay safe and take care xx
The weather is very mixed right now so it probably wouldn’t be wonderful at the beach but I do love it. Seems the weather coincides with the restrictions, encouraging people to stay home 🤣💕💕
How considerate of the weather Jo! Still hope the sun is shining again soon take care xx
Jo, I love your prosaic post.😀 The Spring images bring warmth to the dullest of days and offers a real hope that we are not too far behind you. I feel for you under new restrictions; reaching out a hand in friendship back to you!❤️ Here we seem to have little else but restrictions but it is amazing how one can see something new on paths treaded on a daily basis for a year. The rock heart is incredible – a sparkle of light and love!
And raindrops today, Annika 🙂 🙂 From what I read this morning there is an end in sight for your restrictions, but sadly just too late for my Easter in the UK plans. It’s the year of ‘no plan’, it seems. Or half a year, if we’re lucky. Still smiling here in the rain, and staying hopeful.
Sorry for the restrictions, Jo. These beautiful images of nature are very comforting. Thank you, Jo!
It’s pouring here today so I need all the comfort I can find, Amy. It might involve cake 🤭💕💕
Me, too… 🙂
🤭💕
Hi Jo, nothing makes sense in this “pandemic”. I’m sorry to hear you have restrictions again, seems this saga just keeps rolling on. Today there was one case noted in Melbourne, just one, and coincidentally it’s the day before our Premier wants to extend his state of emergency powers in parliament for another nine months. Now tell me this is not about control!
Anyway, your post, your walk and photos are beautiful. Enjoy that beauty close to home. This madness will one day end. 😉💙
I know! 🙄 It’s wet here today and I was going to console myself watching the tennis. Oh well…. 🤣🤣☔🌈💕 There’s always that rainbow to look forward to, Miriam. Thanks for your company 💕💕
Anytime Jo. Keep looking out for that rainbow. 🌈💛
I’m cheating big time today, going on a Virtual Walk. Every inch has been walked at various times, but never in one piece! https://margaret21.com/2021/02/04/virtual-dog-goes-on-a-virtual-walk/
I think that’s an admirable way to do it, Margaret. The ducklings made me smile from the off, and the horse and foal, and we know Becky will be in ecstasy with the goat. It’s an everybody pleaser- especially me 🙂 🙂
; Happy to help!
aren’t you fortunate to have all of this on your doorstep 😀
Well, yes, but some people would call that good planning, she says, smugly! 🙂 🙂 And it’s raining this morning, just to destroy the illusion….
We are still so restricted, Jo, but I, too, can get out and walk! And there are signs of spring everywhere in my neighborhood, as well. I took a walk the other day with a “friendly” coyote, and that was exciting. LOL! In a pandemic I can still be entertained!
Not too friendly, I hope, Debbie! 🙂 🙂 But getting out in the sunshine is such a tonic!
another lovely walk and beautiful photographs, Jo. thanks for taking us along in your gorgeous weather. far cry from what we have right now. mounds and mounds of snow still. 🙂
So sorry, LolaWi! It won’t be any consolation at all that it’s raining this morning and my pansies are drooping their little faces. I’m just happy to have them there, and your company 🙂 🙂
Jo that was so kind of you to include our ice walk. A big hug and thank you. Your gorgeous photos brighten my wintry day.
I could picture myself there, Sue! 🙂 🙂 Ha- you don’t believe me, do you?
Jo, I think your photos just get better and better! We’re covered over in snow here, so your lovely shots of green with buds and flowers just make my heart sing. Thanks for the prelude to warmer weather. 🙂 ~Terri
I keep looking at snowy photos on here and thanking my lucky stars, Terri. It’s so pretty- from a distance 🙂 🙂 Lovely to have your company, hon.
Another collection of lovely photos Jo, it certainly looks like your weather is much better than ours. If you stretch the imagination a bit I think the hole in the tree trunk looks like a sideways view of a donkey’s head 🙂
The trees are all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes, Eunice. I sometimes wonder how they carry on. Definitely Spring here and we’ve done some lovely walking locally in the last couple of weeks. Set for a couple of rainy ones I think, but sometimes it doesn’t amount to much 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon- you ok?
I’m fine thanks Jo, itching to get out for some decent walks but the weather’s not up to much just now so I’m spending more time indoors. Spring can’t come fast enough for me 🙂
Another pretty walk – thanks for taking us along.
Lovely to have your company, hon. Thanks 🤗💕
Such a wonderful collection of beautiful photos, Jo. I can’t wait for the spring to arrive to see blooming flowers and less rain. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva 🙂
Hi Aiva! So sorry – you have a new post, don’t you? I meant to visit yesterday. Yes, it’s glorious here right now. Thanks a lot and I’ll catch up with you soon 🤗💕💕
What a beautiful collection of photos. Spring does come early to your region! How frustrating to have beaches closed, it does make very little sense. We all need sunshine and fresh air. Love all these flowers and the heart shaped cut out is just perfect.
Peta
Thanks, Peta 🙂 🙂 Yes, Spring is a wonderful season here and usually we’re out walking most days.
Sorry to hear that restrictions are back again in the Algarve, but fingers crossed it will not be for too long. The Spring is definitely on the way and a sense that things will get better soon. I love the heart shaped hole into that rock 😍
Spring’s full on here, Gilda. In some ways that makes it worse as this is easily our best time of year for getting out on walks, and we’d normally cover a lot of ground But I’m loving the blossom 🙂 🙂
Hi Jo
sending good vibes out to everyone who has more restrictions in place.
We have a few ore enforced where we are but not as tough as some places.
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and the walk today was easy with flowers and blue skies – and let us all follow your lead and be “determined not to wear a long face”
I save the long face for the husband, Yvette. He’s so grateful 🤣🤣💕
hahahahah