I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might…” Cheating on many fronts to bring you the New Year fireworks from Tavira -the first lights of the year 🙂 and join in with January Light and Six Word Saturday. Have a happy weekend!
Well , who can resist that smile? He’s obviously enjoying January Light!
Something to always bear in mind when walking around our salt marshes is that they are tidal. In a spirit of adventure, just after Christmas, I set out to explore the stretch between Fuseta and Olháo, entirely overlooking this fact. In my defense, I was following the Algarve Cycle Trail and hadn’t envisioned that crossing water would be an issue. On a glorious, sunny morning, I caught the train to Fuseta A (there are 2 stations in this small village, and the other one isn’t Fuseta B!) A right turn will take you past the former fishermen’s houses and onto the coastal path.
Out in the bay the former coastguard station looks on without comment. It’s a calm and peaceful scene, many people having not yet returned from the holiday. Birds wander, pecking and poking in the shallows, completely undisturbed when the occasional cyclist passes by. The railway line also follows the coast, with minimal impact. The colours of the heather are a lovely contrast in this sometimes dowdy landscape.
As often happens, a signpost throws confusion into the calm, either direction appearing to lead to Olháo. The longer of the two, though interesting, doubles back on itself, but not before I have spotted the nesting storks, a rather endearing frog and a hoopoe.
Now it may seem a little early, but the sun is very warm and a decision is needed. The perfect place to make it presents itself, a small restaurant, ‘O Farol’. Does anyone mind a cake stop? His and hers, of course! Mine is the almond tart.
Decision made, we head in the general direction of the coast, hoping to be able to continue around the bay to Praia dos Cavacos. And as luck would have it, we’re able to tiptoe around the edge of the sand and reach a boardwalk that looks quite new. The surrounding buildings are unconventional, and ornamented with some rather wonderful artwork.
We are never out of touch with the quiet salt pans, which breathe life into this landscape. You may have thought it all going swimmingly (bad choice of words 🙂 ) but a slight hiccup is just around the corner.
The railway track, which has followed us so patiently, decides to leap a gully full of water. We shake our heads. It’s too big a leap for human legs. A family of cyclists approach from the direction of Olháo. When they passed this way earlier the tide was out. Bravely they hoist their cycles and cross the precarious track. The alternative for us is a very long walk, so we grimace and hasten across the gap. My heart is thudding. If a train should suddenly appear… but minutes later we are in the heart of the nature reserve known as Quinta de Marim.
The plan was to skirt this park, and stay close to the campsite at Olháo. But it’s simply a relief to be across the water.
The tidal mill is a beautiful sight at high tide. It has not been operational since 1970, but the equipment still looks ready for action. I clamber up to the roof and look out across the water, to the low-lying barrier island, Armona.
The sun is low in the sky as we finally reach Olháo. The contemporary theatre, itself a converted mill, stands in sharp contrast to the crumbling facades of neighbouring buildings. Oblivious, the birds cavort on a high wire above. Soon all trace of Christmas will be gone.
For us, it’s time to catch a train home. If you should happen to repeat this walk, be very aware of the tide times. And meanwhile, many thanks for accompanying me on the adventure that is the new year.
Not too many walks to read as you get back into a routine. Join me any time here on Jo’s Monday walk. The welcome is always the same.
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Janet has enormous fun in a museum!
And we all know that Jackie never lets the side down :
No place like home, but Drake is happy to hang his hat in a number of places :
While Sandra takes me back to one of the most beautiful places I have ever been :
#Jerónimos Monastery – Lisbon, #Portugal
Irene shares the beauty of a beach in winter :
And Indra, the lush landscape of :
Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls-Hong Kong
In stark contrast, Karen takes us to Australia, where heat is a killer. Do please donate something, if you can :
A parched walk in the Blue Mountains
Candy combines a history lesson with a great walk. I had no idea!
And Cathy takes us back to a very beautiful mosque :
Casablanca: Back to Hassan II, a walk along the Corniche, & Quartier des Habous
Happy New Year to anyone I’ve missed. Onwards and upwards!
Almost Epiphany and the batteries are fading. Soon be time to dim my candlelight but, for Becky, it’s just beginning. Join her for January Light till the end of this month. And don’t forget to visit Debbie for a Saturday smile. Have a happy day!
Becky’s asking us to ‘Shine a light‘ this January. Square, of course! My image owes much to Jude, who asked to see my lamplight. So, from my house to yours, a very Happy New Year, filled with love and light!
I’m back in the Algarve for my last walk of the year. Santa’s been, and I couldn’t ask for more. It’s been an amazing year! I’m taking you back into those hills that I love, to a tiny village called Benafim. We are joining a group of choir singers for one of my nicest ever walking experiences.
The landscape is beautiful, with Rocha de Pena looming quietly in the background. We meet our small group, mostly Portuguese, with uncertain smiles- an opportunity to practise the language- and set off through the village. One of the group is carrying a toddler on his back, and an elderly gent relies heavily on his stick, so we know the pace will not be fast. There are a couple of Scandinavians, who chat easily with us in fluent English.
Christmas is just around the corner and we observe the signs of celebration in the village. It’s not a long walk, just 6.2km to the next village, Alte, but the gradient is steep in places. Our guide is well aware of the limitations of the party, and stops at intervals to point out plants of interest. Medicinal herbs and remedies, and one that was used in these hills before soap was widely available. It’s warm, but with plenty of cloud cover. There’s little shade up here in the heights. We are following a short stretch of the Via Algarviana, which reaches end to end, the length of the Algarve. We puzzle over some symbols on a rock- a message we don’t understand.
At the outset, we were asked if we would like a meal after the walk. We are walking with some members of a choral group called Ossónoba. Afterwards they will perform in the church in Alte, and we will be ‘very welcome’ to join them. It seems like too good an opportunity to miss.
All are working up a healthy appetite when finally the rugged path levels, and we gaze down into a valley. Alte is not far away, and it’s all downhill from here. In the village, the sight of Singer sewing machines doubling as picnic tables makes me smile.
A hint of Autumn? Yet it feels more like Spring. We have been wondering how we will get back to Benafim, but this problem is easily solved. A minivan takes the drivers back to collect our cars and bring them to Alte. The rest of us proceed to the hotel, squeezing into the minivan with the excitedly chattering, choir members. An elegant table awaits.
High on a hill, above the village, Hotel Alte is obviously used to hosting parties. As we wait, a coach pulls into the car park and disgorges the rest of the choir, smartly attired in black and white. Our walking friends disappear off to the toilets, emerging transformed. The choir are 40 strong! Three of them sit at our table, and proceed to talk about their life, while we dine, very well indeed. Meal over, we are treated to a rousing number, to stretch those vocal chords, before they all pile back onto the coach. The best voice? Our richly baritoned, minivan driver!
Is it any wonder that I love this village? Still to come is the Christmas concert. I had never been inside the church, so yet another treat in store. The choir sings its heart out, in several languages; first surrounding us in the body of the church, and then from the gallery above.
Just down the road, Baltazar cocks an ear in his stable, and we drive contentedly home into the sunset.
Grupo Coral Ossónoba travel around Portugal (and occasionally abroad) performing. Our walk together was a collaboration to promote the Via Algarviana. Needless to say, we hope to take part in another, in the New Year. We had a wonderful time.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, but even more than that, I hope that the year to come is kind to us. And maybe you’ll join me in another Jo’s Monday walk? You’ll be more than welcome.
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I’m sure Jackie ate her share of festive food, aren’t you?
Natalie started the holidays with a list. Check out how she did!
Checking Off my Holiday Fun List
I’m always happy to admire this nation’s Capital, so thanks, Sandra :
Sidewalks and Tile – #Portugal
There’s nowhere Nicole would rather be than in the mountains :
Unforgettable Hikes along the Tour de Mont Blanc : Hike from Col des Montets to Lac Blanc
And such a nice atmosphere on the streets, with Drake :
Not much deters Becky when she feels like a walk :
Margaret and Zoe were more than happy, just playing with bubbles :
Winter Walking on the South Bank
And not squidging in mud!
A Sunday walk, Accompanied by Thirteen Dogs
Let’s end with something a little more exotic, from Cathy :
Rick’s Café & a walking tour of Central Casablanca
Happy New Year to you all! I shan’t be writing a review of the year, but I expect I’ll look back, as well as forward. Thanks for your company!
Our hotel room looked directly out on Leeds Cathedral. On Christmas morning the bells rang out, inviting us to celebrate a special birth. I hope you had a beautiful time, too. Happy Six Word Saturday!
I know you don’t have much time for walking this week, but I thought you might like a little stroll with me? Tavira is looking very pretty on an evening. Come and see the lights! We needn’t walk far.
Ponte Romana and the riverside are strewn with blue lights. The Military Bridge is finally being dismantled, after 29 years as a ‘temporary’ structure. That’s how things are around here. Things take time! But the end result is usually worth it.
It does leave a question mark over this New Year’s Eve firework display. In recent years the fireworks have been launched from the Military Bridge. Maybe they will use a barge on the river.
The fountain wasn’t here when we first came to Tavira. We’ve seen a few changes. In the austerity years the Christmas trees were simple wooden structures. Now we sparkle and shine, and things are looking up.
Round the corner, couples pose in a shining star. Last year we had a giant bauble, which now takes pride of place in Faro marina.
In the run up to Christmas there have been carol concerts, both in the old Mercado and in many of the churches.
Much needed rain arrived, putting a bit of a dampener on scurrying shoppers, and delaying our visit to the bombeiros Nativity scene. Three days later, blue skies inevitably returned and the town was bathed in warm sunshine once more.
I shall be sad to leave, but I’m off to England today, to share a few Christmas hugs. You’ll scarcely miss me before I’m back, on Thursday. I hope that, wherever you are in the world, you get your share of hugs this festive season. Wishing you joy always (and cake!)
Not many shares this week, but all are very welcome. Join me soon, on Jo’s Monday walk.
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Debbie always astounds me with her photography. This one is a beauty- please don’t miss it!
A wander through Christmas at Kew
The sky can be endlessly fascinating. Come cloud-gazing with Janet :
Some places still look beautiful dripping wet! Drake never minds the weather :
Emma showcases her beautiful artwork, in lovely Donegal :
The Burtonport Old Railway Walk, Ireland
While Eunice pursues her love of street art, in Dublin :
Cathy regretfully completes her pilgrimage :
A day in Santiago de Compostela
And Hikeminded shares some beautiful images from Germany :
Odenwald: Engelberg Monastery and Miltenberg
Lastly, spare a thought for Australia. What a nightmare this Winter has been for so many!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Remember the pigs last week? Well, they had a few friends. A rather worried cow… some strange sheep… a disinterested llama…
A donkey or two, of course, and some rather curious camels… Even a farmer, and his faithful friend…
The baby? I didn’t see one, but there was someone to entertain the kids…
And a good time was had by all! I’m so glad the galleries are back to normal. Don’t you love Odeleite? Merry Christmas!
One last Six Word Saturday before the big day. See you Monday!
The only kind of ‘snow’ I’m fond of- a bed of salt crystals, making a backdrop for the Presépio do Sal, in Castro Marim. Every year, throughout Portugal, Nativity scenes take pride of place in towns and villages. In this small Algarve village, more than 7 tons of locally produced salt form the basis of the scene. This has been an exceptional year for salt production, and the Nativity is a wonderful tribute to the salt pans and their workers.
At weekends there are story times for children and music concerts. You have until 6th January to visit if you are in the area. I’m happy to add this post to Amy’s Lens-Artists theme, On Display, this week, with wishes to all for a Christmas full of joy.
restlessjo 
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