Photography

Strawberry Topping

Just a morsel? I didn’t treat you well yesterday. Becky’s saying it with flowers today. Join her over at #SquareTops!

Jo’s Monday walk : Changing reality

You don’t know what you have, till you’ve lost it? I don’t think I was ever in any doubt about just how precious are our Algarve salt marshes, and the beaches beyond them. One day, towards the end of March, with a State of Emergency in place, I set out to walk, within our prescribed area, from home. Bypassing the town centre I headed past the salt processing centre and on beside the marshes.

The stork, in its nest, feeding young. Just seconds before it had flown overhead, beak stuffed with fish. My camera, too slow to capture.

Out along the road, on their own, two cottages stand together, backs turned to Tavira. The road is narrow here, and paved only on one side. Drivers approaching each other must choose who will mount the low curb to allow passage, a sometimes interesting manoeuvre to observe. And then the road forks, one way passing an orange farm, the other continuing towards Fort Rato and the river beach.

The marshes are home to many birds, wading in the cloudy waters. Everyone stops to watch if the flamingos wander close, wary, but diligent in their search for crill. They are more easily seen from the Quatro Aguas road, or from the deck of the ferry as it chugs out from Tavira.

The abandoned fort broods silently, as it has for the many years since defence from attack by marauding pirates was a threat. I wonder again why no-one has seen this as a business opportunity, but am quietly grateful that they haven’t. This sometimes ugly stretch of river beach is beloved of dog walkers, and small children who can play safely in the shallow waters.

For me, it is my nearest access point to open water, the natural curve sweeping round to meet the river. On the far shore, Quatro Aguas presents its more manicured facade to the sea. I am well used to wandering here, watching the boats come and go, and sometimes venturing into the grounds of the Vila Galé Albacora hotel. There’s a pretty courtyard, with a church, and a small museum dedicated to the fishing industry.

The hotel is closed, like all others since the threat of the virus became known. Restaurants too, and there is nothing now to disturb the peace of the morning. I skirt the boundaries and head back towards Tavira.

Clouds are bubbling up a little, as so often at change of tide. This time I take the turn off past the farm, following the cycle trail. On one side, the salt marshes, stretching towards Cabanas. On the other, the row of palms I’ve come to regard as my Hula ladies, rustling their skirts in the breeze.

I’m heading for home now, beneath the railway tracks and past the Salinas estate. I cross the E125, strangely silent, and follow the road through fields and houses towards the place that I live.

As I’m writing this, I feel the emotions stir for, just a couple of days after this walk, the closure signs went up on Shell Beach. I no longer have access to the sea. I have not tried to walk to Quatro Aguas, but fear this may be similarly out of bounds. Particularly during the Easter period, the police have been vigilant in keeping people safe. I’m hoping that the rules will soon be relaxed a little but, in the meantime, I have the countryside and beautiful hills behind my home and a good stretch of salt marsh. You may have noticed the absence of cake? The cafés are closed, of course, but you can still visit a bakery and take home something nice. Next time, perhaps! Meanwhile, did you spot a few chimney tops along the way? I hope you’re joining in with Becky’s #SquareTops! Looking very dapper today!

When I was young I would often end up here in the Summer holidays. Thanks for the memories, Eunice :

Peasholm Park, Scarborough

I never can resist a stretch of sea to walk beside, especially if it’s a bit choppy :

Walking along Jeju’s Yongduam Coastal Road & Olle Route 17

The greenkeeper’s got his eye on you, Drake!

Without rush and stress

It’s amazing what you can find in the desert, isn’t it, Mel?

Sunset, Sand and Sculpture

While Cathy brings us Italy in all its beauty :

Cinque Terre: Charming Portovenere

I’m still sharing walks, though I understand your opportunities are more limited at the minute. I’m just happy to have you virtual travel with me. Stay safe!

The topic is Easter

I need to fill my world with beauty and music this Easter Sunday. And Easter eggs, of course! No, I know these aren’t square, so perhaps I should say eggs squared. Not scrambled or fried, but possibly boiled. Or painted, like these lovely traditional Polish eggs I’ve owned since my very first visit to Poland. Thinking of my Polish family, my English family, my blogging friends, who might as well be family, and all of those I can’t be with today. God bless, and keep you!

#SquareTops

Six word Saturday

Keeping on top of the situation

Spot the odd one out? They are all horizontals for Jude’s 2020 Photo Challenge, but one of them won’t fit #SquareTops. Hoping Debbie won’t quibble about my Six Words this morning. Have a lovely Saturday all!

6wsButton

Views of COVID 19 – Chile, England, Finland and Portugal

Taking time out today to look at the darker side of life. Sue Slaught is compiling a series on the effect of COVID 19 around our world, and I was honoured to be asked to participate. The full text is here :

Views of COVID 19 – Chile, England, Finland and Portugal

Hoping you are enjoying the peace of this very different Easter, and that no-one you love has been affected by this frightening illness. God bless!

My Top View of Tavira

A little tenuous, this one, but it’s a view I love. Church ‘on top’ of a hill. The Ponte Romana, ‘atop’ the River Giláo.

It’s a good follow up to yesterday, and I’m hoping Becky will like it. It’s all getting a little crazy over at her #SquareTops.

Cross on Top

Walk down the Avenida da Liberdade, in Tavira, and you can’t miss the beautiful bridge, Ponte Romana. This crest sits proudly atop it. Although the existing bridge doesn’t date back to Roman times there was a river crossing here linking the main Roman road from Faro to Castro Marim.

Becky’s been gazing at the Super Moon. Why not join her at #SquareTops?

Photographers on Top

Isn’t it strange, the things your eyes miss? I don’t know how many times I must have walked past the photographer’s studio on Avenida da Liberdade, in Tavira, and never noticed this handsome pair, looking down on me. Always look up! I do, but I have a tendency to bump into things. 🙂

Becky has a beautiful post over on #SquareTops today. Don’t miss it!

Jo’s Monday walk : Beja Blues

Last week was such a dreamy post, wasn’t it? I’m moving a little nearer home, and reality, this week, to the main town of the Baixa Alentejo. It was a long haul, going north to Marváo, and we decided to break the journey at Beja, where we had a little unfinished business. Namely, the Convent of Our Lady of Conception, part of the Regional Museum of Beja since 1927. Foolishly we had tried to visit once before, on a Monday but, like most other churches and museums in Portugal, it was closed on that day.

I’ve never really hit it off with Beja. Some places speak volumes to me, others simply mutter. Beja comes in that last category. Still, everywhere deserves a second chance, and I knew that the museum was worth visiting. The day had turned sullen as we left the Algarve, and the skies hung heavy over the castle. Not an auspicious start, and the square in front of the castle was being dug up and re-tiled. Skirting around a digger, I looked in through the Cathedral doors, not feeling inclined to linger. I knew that the museum would be closing soon for lunch.

It’s a short distance through the narrow streets to the Convent square. The former Convento da Conceição was founded in 1459 by Dom Fernando, brother of Afonso V of Portugal, and his wife Dona Beatriz. Part of the Franciscan order, it was one of the richest and most important in the country.

Now part of the Rainha Dona Leonor Regional Museum, a hush descended as we entered through the Manueline portico, beneath beautifully curved arches. Immediately in front of us, the church. The lights were low and my eyes took a moment or two to adjust.

The first thing to hold my gaze was the tiled azulejo panel, dated 1741 and depicting the life, birth and death of St. John the Baptist. The church is covered in carved wood and gold leaf, dating back to the 17th century. Excessive to modern eyes, as was the array of highly polished silverware from the 18th century. I felt truly grateful not to be the lady with the polish, but I did admire the altar of inlaid marble.

Leaving the subdued atmosphere of the church, I found myself in fabulously, fully tiled cloisters. This was what I had come to see. There is always an atmosphere of soothing calm to cloisters, and the soft glow of sunlight enhanced their beauty.

Beautiful, isn’t it? Even in its unrestored state, it’s one of my favourite pieces. But there’s no doubt there is money to be spent here… one day!

Some of the detail was extraordinary, but don’t take my word for it. Becky does it so much better in Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceicáo’s Extraordinary Azulejos Speaking of the lovely lady, are you taking part in #SquareTops today? It’s a blockbuster! Here are my two.

The colours and mix of styles is captivating. I’ve seen many cloisters here in Portugal, but none quite like these.

I ventured up the stairs, hoping to be able to get out onto the roof space, but it was closed to the public. I learned instead of Mariana Alcorforado, a nun at the Convento, who fell in love with a French officer. Noel Bouton, Count de Chamilly, was in Beja with his troops in 1666. The evidence of her unrequited love lives on in five love letters. The fabric below, I included for my daughter. She loves antique embroidery!

Back in the open, we found a café in the square overlooking the museum. It was unbelievably quiet, though the virus had barely been heard of. I wasn’t really hungry but wanted to sit peacefully with a glass of wine, before continuing our journey. We ordered a toastie, but the waitress explained that they didn’t sell wine. We could, though, buy it at the store next door! Seeing our baffled faces, she must have taken pity on us. Five minutes later she reappeared from next door, bearing two very delicious glasses of wine. I think perhaps Beja looked better for it.

A wander through the streets revealed a strange mish-mash of old and new. I didn’t really warm to Beja, but it doesn’t lack for character and humour. And there’s a chance I’ll return, for I’ve realised that a substantial part of the museum is sited within the Church of Santo Amaro, beyond the castle walls. Oh, dear! But I did enjoy the street art.