Jo’s Monday walk : Moinho do Bengado

Just occasionally a walk throws up a delightful surprise. We’d done the walk around Mesquita a time or two before. Often enough to know of the well, hidden among the long grasses, and of the windmills at the summit of the hill. It was a beautiful day and we took our time, chatting and catching up with each other’s lives as we went along.

The Moinho do Bengado stands proudly on the top of the hill, catching the breeze, as windmills do. No sooner had we reached it than a jeep pulled into the open space behind us. We hadn’t expected company, but were happy to share the beautiful old windmill. We were even happier when we realised that the newcomer had a key, and had come to show us the workings of the mill. Raymond Hilbers was a miller by trade in his native Holland. With an enduring interest in all things mechanical, he built a home in the Algarve 20 years ago, close by the windmill. In the interim years he became involved in the restoration of the mill and, with justifiable pride, he explained its workings to us.

Built in stone, in 1850, the windmill is of the Mediterranean type. It’s a halter mill, the oldest form of traction system, using rope and millstones to rotate the roof. I really hadn’t given much thought to how these things work, but was genuinely interested in the explanations. I won’t spoil it for you by giving away too many of the details. You might just find yourself there one day? The mill now opens to visitors twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Access is from the EN270, 4 km south of São Brás de Alportel, and arrangements can be made via the tourist office on camara@cm-sbras.pt. There’s a downloadable map, here.

Mr. Hilbers is a very charming man, and was happy to spend time with us. A former sailor amongst us remarked on the new addition of sails to the mill, since our last visit (pictured above). The millstone is currently lodged in one position and must be freed to enable the sails to one day turn. What a wonderful sight that will be! Just one thing I should add. Space inside the mill is obviously confined, and there are narrow circular steps to the upper level. Not suited to everyone, but please don’t let that put you off a visit to this beautiful old mill.

  • The sail, tightly furled
  • Our miller
  • Wheels and cogs
  • An impressive sight
  • Ready for action
  • What a sight, to see them turning!

We continued on our way, back down the hill, and up several more, in the way of walkers. The area around São Brás is cork oak territory and there were many lovely specimens on view. Beautiful villas grace these hills too, which would account for the large school, with its reminder of the times we live in. And I’m always smitten by poppies.

 

I really can’t leave a miller without at least one image of cake, now can I? This chocolate cheesecake was very delicious. Maybe one day there’ll be a little shop/cum café to sell the produce from the mill.

 

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I realise my walk posts are a little erratic at present, but I really couldn’t wait to share this one. I hope you enjoyed it. Please find time to visit my fellow walkers this week. Happy to share on Jo’s Monday walk.

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There are people you could just hug, aren’t there? Well, if it was allowed I would, Jude :

Another Monday Spring Walk

Meg has found signs of Spring too :

A Walk in May

Anyone know Sleningford? Margaret does!

A window on our local country houses

What else would you expect from Janet?

Monday walk… elegance

Might as well finish that walk with Mel. Wish the titles were shorter, though 🙂

Exploring the Sydney Coastline – Bondi to Manly Path – Stage 7, Spit Bridge to Manly Wharf

Sarah has some snappy friends waiting for us on this week’s walk. Fabulous wildlife!

A walk on Palm Island : Hippos, hogs and crocs

Happy to have Terri join me from her new neighbourhood :

Sunday Stills: #Water in the Details

But there are some places you don’t mind being taken back to. Thanks, Drake!

All over again

There’s always something beautiful to see when Jesh is around :

Enjoying the view

And Lady Lee just likes to have fun :

The Cosmic Photo Challenge – My green world

Just because we can, let’s go bluebell hopping, with Emma :

Littlehaven Bluebell ‘loop’: 9.95m/16km

And finally, lovely Teresa shares her Mother’s Day with us :

An Afternoon Walk on Mother’s Day

Thanks for your company, everyone. Have a great week! And I’m adding my miller to Just One Person from around the World.

148 comments

  1. Pingback: Gardening and cycling – Ladyleemanila

  5. Windmills are fascinating though I am not tempted to climb up inside them any more. We stayed in the one in Cley (where Dina and KB live) several years ago and it was a lot of fun, though we weren’t in the highest room as you have to go up a ladder to get there! And the last one we visited with sails was in Lincolnshire which still mills flour. There is just something about the old ones. This looks like a delightful area to walk in. Very peaceful. I know you like to be close to the sea, but a villa in those hills must be wonderful.

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    1. Norfolk is a bit special when it comes to windmills. I always wanted to stay in one but never did. You really wouldn’t like all the hill climbs, Jude, however lovely it may look. We were up in a similar area this morning but closer to Tavira. Wonderful valleys but many of the villas are isolated. A long walk to Tescos! I’m happy enough with my roof terrace and access to it all. Mick has designed me a garden room for the roof so I’ll only have half the space but it’s enough. I love my view 🤗💕

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  8. What a delight to see such a beautiful windmill and to see inside too. 21st century people think we are so clever with our renewable energy when people have been using wind and solar power since the year dot!

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  9. What an adorable little treasure you found. It is so different from windmills here. We have tons of heavy-duty high-powered windmills in southern California, and we’ve seen plenty of them in Nevada on our trip to Las Vegas. But in tiny Woodlake we have a nice assortment of old windmills. For the most part they have the broader wooden paddles, but the circular area they cover is much smaller. Nobody can go inside of these windmills. I’ll have to take some pictures while I’m there. I can’t believe I don’t have a post of them. 🙂

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  12. Thank you for coming ‘Bluebell hopping’ with us, Jo!
    And thank you for allowing us to come sailing away with your beautiful windmill, it’s striking sails and those shots of it’s mechanics – the wooden interior parts look so pristine; clearly well loved, and rightfully so!

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  13. How delightful! Did he see that you were approaching and decided to come and show you around? Or were you just lucky to be there at the opening time? Another thing: can it be that you have a new camera? 😉 Your photos are always lovely but sometimes a bit grainy, whereas today they are gorgeous. And the finish… yummmm.

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    1. He saw us climbing the hill and came up to offer his services. He was expecting a party from Lisbon who were booked in that morning. Good timing! 🤗💕
      I took these on my phone camera because I hadn’t brought the other. Well spotted and thanks, Manja 💕

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  14. Ooops sorry Jo, it’s my first time joining and got confused with my days. I put a link that is out of date. Will see if I can put another link for this week. It was still lovely to get to walk with you in Mesquita.

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  15. Pingback: An Afternoon Walk on Mother’s Day – My Camera & I
  17. Pingback: Dusty field | Le Drake Noir

  19. Delightful! I’m utterly fascinated with windmills, both the old fashioned kind as you described here, but I’m also thrilled to see the new-fanged kind that produce electricity! 🆒

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    1. Visits are arranged via the camara, Becky. It’s not working yet as the millstone is stuck in one position. Details are in the post. He said to watch out for when the sails are turning but doesn’t expect it to be until next year. You know how swiftly things move in Portugal 🙂 🙂 He was expecting a party from Lisbon and just happened to see us going up the hill, which was very kind of him.

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