A rare commodity! I thoroughly enjoyed gliding along on the Río Guadalquivir. Debbie has a fabulous chunk of history for you today. Pop over and share Six Words. Wishing you a lazy Saturday!
One Monday morning, earlier this year, I was wandering in the sleepy back streets of Sáo Brás de Alportel. In a ruin mostly used for car parking I stopped to examine the remnants of old photos pasted onto the walls. This is a town rich in tradition, where paper flowers are liberally used to decorate the streets at Easter time. The scenes feature a quiet nearby street, the bombeiros or fire brigade, a local dance, and a lorry load of cork. A museum in the town is dedicated to the cork industry, and piles of cork can often be seen drying in the surrounding hills. The use of Monochrome can make a scene look ancient, but in Sáo Brás the past never seems very far away.
Until the council decided a change of image was needed. New fountains on slick marble squares, and metal animal sculptures now grace the centre of town. It’s surprising what a game changer this is. The whole mood of the place is altered.
In the same way, replacing the colour in a photo with monochrome creates a change of mood.
It’s a gentle palette in Sáo Bras. Washing adorns the wall as it must always have done. Azulejo panels softly crown each doorway, predominately blue and white. Modern art blends with old and crumbling buildings. And in the countryside, bleached fields patiently await a turn in the season.
But it will take more than a few sculptures to separate Sáo Brás from its claim to antiquity. You can follow a Roman road through the back streets of town. And where better to savour that most traditional of Portuguese tarts?
My walk today isn’t at all what I intended, but I was having far too much fun on Saturday and left my camera and phone at a party. I hadn’t downloaded my photos from last week’s adventure in Seville, so that will have to wait. Not half so famous and a fraction of its size, but I think this little town in the Algarve hills has its own brand of charm. I hope Patti will accept my contribution to the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week.
Not too many shares this week, so please take the time to visit if you can. Many thanks to all who participate. Contributions are always welcome here on Jo’s Monday walk. Have a great week everybody!
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I love a leafy hollow in the woods. Drake takes us speeding through :
Natalie takes us through some very different woods to a beach :
Lots of leaves about this week. Good to share a smile with Lady Lee :
And linger a while with Irene :
A healthy splash of colour from Eunice this week :
And a city I’d love to revisit. West coast with Alice :
San Diego Waterfront- Seaport Village
How much do you know about Waterloo? Denzil takes us through some of the history :
Walking the Battlefield of Waterloo
While Cathy is still on the Camino, but the end is in sight :
(Camino day 41) Triacastela to Sarria
Who doesn’t like to end on a high? Thanks so much, Gilly 🙂
I’m easing off this week after a slightly manic time. Many thanks to all of you for following along and for your good wishes.
The Palace at Estoi– now a hotel. Beautiful, isn’t it? This week has been a mad whirl, during which I have met 2 very lovely blogging ladies (you know who you are 🙂 🙂 ) in 2 different countries. More to follow. Meanwhile Debbie is tempting me to reveal my age. Go and play Six Words with her. You know you want to! And have a happy weekend. I’m off to party!
I thought I’d put together a celebration of Algarve lines before Becky calls time on the Lines and Squares challenge this month. I found the above in a craft shop in Alte and was half-tempted to take it home. And I love the faded mosaic patterns on the stone tables beside Fonte Pequena.
Not strictly Algarve lines, because we nipped across the border. Fred was very taken with this tiny door in a wall in the sleepy, Spanish village of Sanlucar de Guadiana. He couldn’t get in though. Maybe some of Alice’s cake? ‘Eat me!’
Back on this side of the border, I can never wander in Santa Luzia without finding something my camera likes.
And finally, a little razzamatazz in Loulé on market day. Overkill, or what? I’m traveling today but will try and keep up with you. Meanwhile, for Becky, it’s a rosy End of the Line. Many thanks to our wonderful hostess for keeping us distracted throughout October.
You might know, I spent time with my daughter last week. Last year we managed to celebrate my birthday together, culminating in a rather lovely wine tour. Happy to repeat the experience, if not the exact event, I searched for somewhere to wander through a vine or two. Morgado do Quintáo, not far from Silves, provided the very place.
Following Google Maps, we thought we had the vineyard nicely pinned, but entry was not quite so simple. Eventually we decided on some blue gates at the rear of the property, and a friendly voice over the intercom told us we were in the right place. We followed a rough trail round to the farmhouse, and were delighted to find that we had company for the sampling. An Irish couple and 2 young folk from Norway were waiting beneath the 2,000 year old olive tree. Moments later our hostess joined us, and the tasting began.
We were sampling 3 wines, cultivated from ancient vines of Crato Branco and Negra Mole. The vineyard was being brought to life, after years of neglect, with careful nurturing. A wonderful spread of petiscos (nibbles) accompanied our wines, including bread, meats, local cheese, honey and delicious plum chutney. The small businesses help each other out, more than happy to share their fine produce. We chatted amongst ourselves, sharing our stories with each sip of wine, alongside the history of the grape. An affectionate retriever made eyes at my daughter, when the owner wasn’t looking. Just a morsel of meat? So hard to resist.
The wind was a little chill beneath the olive tree and I took myself off to play around with the flamingos bobbing on the pool, until it was time for the vineyard tour. I love the russets of the vines at this time of year, the harvest safely stored.
It’s not a large enterprise, but they are hopeful that the business will grow. If enthusiasm reaps rewards, they should do well. The old farmhouse hides a wealth of antique machinery, and a wardrobe that seems to invite entry, for surely Narnia must be beyond those doors?
I gleefully acquired the last jar of plum chutney in the low key sales pitch afterwards. Next year they will host their first wedding. Already there is guest accommodation on site. So easy to relax here with a good glass of wine. I hope you enjoyed the experience.
Not too much walking this week, but I can always offer you great company. As we drove off, the retriever lolloped alongside of us, his tail a golden plume in the setting sun. I think we made a friend.
Many thanks to all of you who stroll with me on a Monday, or any other day. Feel free to join me here with a walk of your own, or simply enjoy the walks I share. Details are over on my Jo’s Monday walk page.
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Let’s start with a very special walk with my Australian friend, Miriam. Please do read and share :
Janet is back from a break. Guess where?
Monday walk… in a French forest (again)
There are some good-looking cities around, and Lady Lee has enjoyed many :
Candy shares a less well-known but beautiful city, too :
Parks, walls and squares in Leon
Can you have too much of a good thing? Jackie has her own view :
Meanwhile, Drake can always make something out of nothing. It’s a skillset!
If you want to walk in the Lake District, Tea Bee will be your willing guide :
Hike to Haystacks, Lake District, Cumbria
And if you’re thinking of doing the Camino, Cathy has very many experiences to share :
(Camino day 39) Trabadelo to O’Cebreiro
(Camino day 40) O’Cebreiro to Triacastela
A man after my own heart, Andrew- not to mention his lovely wife :
Travels in Portugal, A Wild River and a Cliff Top Walk in Odeceixa
And what can I say about Meg- my perfect companion :
Walks around home : October (Part 1)
Or Margaret, busy squirreling away for the winter :
(Almost) all is safely gathered in….
There are some places that simply weave a spell. Share one with Ann Christine :
Thursday Thoughts – Tbilisi, A Feast for the Eye
That’s all for another week. I hope you have a good one. P.S No cakes today! They’re all here.
Maybe a little of each? Amy invited us to explore Layers in this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. I certainly did my best during my daughter’s visit. This photo is an October Square, so I think I can count a line or two for Becky, and Debbie is always generous with her Six Words. It just remains to wish you all a happy weekend. See you on Monday!
And I knew it would work for Becky’s Lines and Squares. Debbie loves street art too so, ‘job’s a good un’, as they say. Have a great weekend!
I’ve been acting tour guide for the past couple of weeks, so not a lot of time for serious walking, and it’s been too hot. Still, I’d hate you to think I’m taking it easy. The first of our Striders walks kicked off the season with a good stiff uphill, above the River Guadiana, to get the lungs working. There was much puffing, panting and grumbling, but it was great to be back in this glorious scenery. Catching up on the lives of our walking friends took some of the pain away, and soon we were looking back down again.
You’ll notice how dry it all looks. It’s been a long summer and the reservoirs are low. Almost every year the Algarve faces this problem and somehow the plants survive to burst forth in another glorious Spring.
There’s often a reward at the top of a hill, and so it was with this one. I’m told it’s the oldest intact windmill in the Algarve. I peered at it from every angle, even venturing cautiously inside this photographer’s dream.
I speculated on how it must have been on this hilltop the day the wind took the roof off, half expecting to see the witch’s red shoes peeping out from under the vivid rust.
There’s a pathos to the abandoned houses in these hills, wells and bread ovens on standby for better days. Here and there a hint at occupancy, washing on the line and pomegranates ripe for picking. Urns with a sense of humour.
A blaze of parched colour fills my vision, and then a gentle descent to the river. No time to stop for food today. Tour guide duties beckon.
But we do snatch a swift drink, with a lovely couple who are seldom far from an icecream.
I hope you enjoyed our company this week. I’m going to take a week off walking duties as my lovely daughter arrives soon and I need to give her full attention. I’ll be back with a Jo’s Monday walk on 28th October. Meanwhile I have some great shares for you.
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I love a lass who doesn’t let the weather put her off. Thanks, Anabel!
Cowden Japanese Garden and Castle Campbell
You can count on having fun with Debbie :
And funnily enough, Lady Lee was there this week too!
While Eunice is in Limerick, and what a lovely place it looks!
But I’m afraid Drake has me wanting to escape!
Some great street art, doors, windows, and food- of course! It’s Jackie!
How closely do you look at your surrounds? Meg doesn’t miss a detail :
And Suzanne is always aware of the beauty that surrounds her :
Hiking in Porcupine Gorge National Park
Let’s end with Cathy, smiling in the rain :
(Camino day 38) Cacabelos to Trabadelo
Bye for now! Take care till the next time.
Not that there’s much need for them round here, but they do work well for Becky’s Lines and Squares. She’s playing with Pooh Bear today, and Debbie’s riding around on a bus, in Six Words, of course. Why not join them? And have a great Saturday!
An artist could rarely want for inspiration in Ferragudo. Nestled in the mouth of the River Arade, blinking sleepily across at booming Portimáo, the village almost restores your faith in the Algarve that was. I had come for a very special boat trip, but first I need to set the scene.
A more painterly sky I have never seen, gossamer white clouds drifting lazily out to sea. As you wander into town, it’s hard to avoid the evidence of artists at work. The fisherfolk cast their nets, fore and aft, and count their catch.
A tidy tangle of lobster pots adorn the quayside, as lobster pots ought. Cobbled and petal carpeted streets creep upwards from the bombeiros, the fire brigade rarely essential in such a watery realm.
A castle on a beach! Who’d have thought it? A romantic image juxtaposed with modern marina on the far shore. Newly laid stone walls, protecting the villas of today with remnants of yesterday.
Slow steps leading upwards to the church and a sublime outlook. Narrow alleys to follow, back down to shore and sea.
Lying in wait on the harbourside, more industry. A little gossip. A snooze. A shy maiden.
Azulejos tell life as it was, and never will be again, but life goes steadily on here in Ferragudo. Gently, thoughtfully, without haste.
Back on the quayside all is calm, but fisherfolk are always busy.
The sun sets as they scull homewards, one last gaze sweeping the bay, ensuring all is well.
I hope you enjoyed sharing Ferragudo and the Arade estuary with me. I do believe it’s a special place. And now it’s time to share some of your walks. Many thanks for keeping me company here on Jo’s Monday walk
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Still wandering happily in Dublin, with Eunice :
Another day in Dublin – Part 2
Lady Lee takes one last look at Japan :
What’s Jackie got for us this week?
Oops, missed Joe last week!
Jo’s Monday Walk – I call it the Super Walk
Street art is best when it makes you think, like this from Ulli :
Artbase Festival 2019 – Murals in Rural Ruins
Drake rarely abandons me :
And I try to keep track of Denzil, whenever I can :
While Cathy Caminos on :
(Camino day 37) Ponferrada to Cacabelos
And Carol explores a little of Western Australia. Pop in for scones, why don’t you?
That’s it from me for now. Life continues to be hectic, in a good way. More visitors arrived last night so we’ll be exploring the Algarve together. I’ll catch up with you all when I can. Stay well and be happy!
restlessjo 
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