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.

 

walking logo

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.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

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. Such a pretty windmill, quite unlike the Dutch ones we are used to seeing. And what a stroke of luck to be there at just the right time for a tour! We visited Zaanse Schans just outside Amsterdam which has a collection of working windmills. I was interested to find out the different functions of windmills – sawmills, dye mills and oil mills – as I had just imagined they were all for grain.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Rose gardens – mazeepuran (माझे e-पुराण)
  4. Pingback: A walk in an oak forest – Don't hold your breath

  6. How lovely! You were very lucky that the owner came to open up for you. I do enjoy your walks. They always make me want to join you.

    Like

    Reply

  7. That windmill looks stunning against the blue sky, and how wonderful to meet the miller and learn all about its workings 🙂 Mills are fascinating places. You should share your miller with Cady’s Just One Person Challenge (although I believe she’s away this week so it won’t be back until next Wednesday). This would be perfect for it!

    I have another island walk for you to today but a rather unusual island: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/a-village-built-on-shells/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I actually did share with Cady, Sarah. My link was right at the bottom of the post, but I don’t expect a response yet. I’ve sent a link to the tourist office in Sao Bras too. I’d like this place to be successful 🤗💕

      Like

      Reply

  8. Wow, I have never looked inside a working mill, heck, I haven’t even seen a mill so close. This was such a fascinating read, especially the picture of the chocolate cheesecake at the end. 🤭🤩🤩

    Like

    Reply

  9. How nice to get a tour of the mill. Windmills were ahead of their time when you think about it. They fit right in to the modern eco-friendly approach. It will be very cool when the mill’s operational and those white sails are turning. Looks like it was a great day for your walk, too. And of course there was cheesecake. What’s not to like.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Our visits to the Greek Islands always had windmills on the top of a hill, Graham. There wasn’t much the Greeks didn’t know how to do 🙂 🙂 I expect they liked cake too.

      Like

      Reply

  10. It’s been a busy day and tomorrow has already started for you, Jo, but I’m glad I finally got here. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this delightful walk! And there’s cake!! Thanks for linking my latest walk too.

    janet

    Like

    Reply

  11. Very enjoyable wander through an area we never got to visit, though have seen a few windmills in Greece and the obvious place the Netherlands. Of course, there’s cake to nourish you 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. It was a great surprise to have it opened up for us, Suzanne. I really hope they can develop it and put a little cafe there, though we do know one not too far away. For the essentials of life 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I just remembered there’s a working mill in the UK where they sell flour etc alongside a cafe. Lovely scones and cream 🙂 Hope your one also opens a cafe a store.

        Like

  12. Pingback: Weekend Walk – The Strand Reserve – Tauranga – Life at No. 22

  15. Ah, doesn’t the white windmill look beautiful against that blue sky? I love wind mills, I find them very charming and a bit whimsical. I’ve no idea why, they aren’t really whimsical at all, more big serious chunks of engineering!

    Like

    Reply

  17. I’ll be back to read some other walkers, Jo. How interesting to read about the mill. Do you know that in all the years I’ve read or heard the word “windmill” I never associated it’s function with milling?…duh! In my small world windmills or the huge wind turbines were all about wind energy and windsurfing. Fun walk with you, I love learning!

    Like

    Reply

    1. We were used to seeing them dotted about the hill tops in Greece, Terri, and there are lots here. Funny how our expectations vary with our experience. It’s always good to share 🤗💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  19. I love Portugal and their cylindrical shape windmills with a conical roofs that often can be found dotting the hillsides, particularly in coastal regions. I know that many historic windmills have been turned into lodgings where visitors can stay, how amazing would be that? Thanks for sharing and taking me along on a walk with you. Aiva 🙂 xxx

    Like

    Reply

      1. Isn’t that fab Jo 🙂 I did have a bit of a laugh at imagining his look. Did it take Mick long to pick his jaw up from the ground 😀 😀

        Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.