Shall we leave Gaudi for a few days? Still in Barcelona of course, can you guess where this is? I can tell you it’s an upscale building, and the acoustics are sublime. Becky is looking both up, and down, today.
Time to interrupt
Jo’s Monday walk : A back street tour of Tavira
A change of pace today. I’ve managed to complete a circular walk around Calçadinha de Sáo Brás de Alportel , and also around the waterfall in my Christmas themed Loulé walk, in the last few weeks but restrictions have arrived. Having kept our head above water throughout most of the pandemic, numbers in Portugal rocketed after Christmas. So, for now, I’m back to local walks. It’s not a serious hardship. I took off one morning with a spring in my step, to check out a few nooks and crannies.
Gardens within the town are mostly of the patio variety, a simple courtyard with pots of colour. Here and there a bougainvillea creeps up a wall and a chair is strategically placed. Most often in the shade.
Just space for a table 
New apartments in a grand setting 
Up the hill, we look back down
Not everywhere is beautifully maintained. Tavira has its share of unloved and tumbledown. Cracks abound. But for every sad ruin there is a carefully nurtured home. And some of the doors are exquisite.
We’ve climbed to the oldest part of town now. The ancient water tower conceals a Camera Obscura within. A good way to observe the town in its entirety, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the Santa Maria church. Once both were enclosed by the town walls, whose remnants provide beautiful views across the salt marshes and out to sea.
A gentle descent, through a choice of back streets, will bring you to the Praca da Republica, the main square, overlooking the river. It’s unnaturally quiet here at the minute, used as I am to a friendly buzz of people sharing coffee, cake and life stories. I walk on through the riverside gardens, where even the terrapins in the bandstand pool seem to be avoiding me. The new bridge hasn’t yet had its unveiling but looks ready for action.
Fishing boats ride at anchor, the days’ catch waiting for takers. I approach the flyover, with its sweeping views. The river meanders out to meet the Ilha and I stop to watch the storks performing aerobatics. There are a couple in the nest and it’s fascinating to watch them glide through the air. I turn away discreetly when the noisy courtship begins.
It’s not a bad place to be marooned, is it? Hopefully the restrictions will be short-lived as numbers in the Algarve are already declining. We’ll beat this thing yet! And in the meantime, the bakers are still open. Naughty cake, anyone?
Raspberry and lemon cheesecake 
Or chocolate Toblerone cake?
A few shares this week, some of them looking very cold! I wish you could share the sunshine. Do visit, if you can! It’s nice to have a bit of company in these lonely times. Join me on Jo’s Monday walk whenever you like.
……………………………………………………………………………..
Walk slowly to appreciate Inese’s wild Irish scenery! It’s in 2 parts :
If you’ve never walked with Madhu you have a real treat in store :
Brussels – Exploring History Through Architecture
And just to remind us it’s Winter! Thanks, Rupali :
Weekend 113: A walk in fresh snow
Weekend 114: Winter settles in
Everyone knows the Canadians love snow, don’t they, Lynn?
I love a coastal walk, but I do prefer blue skies, Anabel. I’m sure you do too :
Fife Coastal Path: Cellardyke to St. Monan’s
Fife Coastal Path: Cellardyke to Crail
Drake plays with nature and the wintery light :
Eunice has a love of street art. This is her latest collection :
For me, boats do it! Follow me to Norway with Cadyluck. It’s a bit cool though :
Haugesund, Norway: On the Waterfront
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks. Up north Spring is coming. It’s already here! Take care of each other, and keep walking!
Still up on the roof!
It’s an extraordinary space, like all of Gaudi’s designs. The light was beautiful up on the roof, as you saw yesterday. And how strange to have a power station on the horizon. I’m a day late with my Skyline but hopefully Debbie will forgive me. Meanwhile I’m Dreaming of Buttercups.
#SquareUp
Silent Sunday
Six word Saturday
A superior kind of living space
Some of you asked to see inside. I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s a bit special. Tomorrow, up on the roof! Happy weekend!
Gazing upwards
On an ordinary street, an extraordinary building. You could say, it’s all glammed up! Gaudi’s Casa Batlló. We’re all looking up today!
Up the hill
Ending my visit to Parc Guell with this verdant scene. I carried on up the hill to the Tibidabo Amusement Park that day, mostly for the tram ride and the views. So much more to Barcelona than you might expect. And blue sky for Becky.
Supporting cast
Beneath those wonderful Gaudi benches we have a supporting cast of pillars and gargoyles. Becky is reaching for the sky today, too, in another of my favourite cities, Lisbon.
Delightful disruption
Today, Becky’s post features upholstery. If you were going to sit on Gaudi’s benches for a long time you might need a cushion, but you’d be surrounded by beauty. Trying not to crack up, because All Broken Up, my yesterday’s square, was relegated to last week! An unplanned disruption.
restlessjo 
You must be logged in to post a comment.