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!
Relaxed and comfortable at the helm of his small fishing vessel, Luis has found his special place in the world. All of his working life, a fisherman, he was saddened at the sight of an elderly friend’s boat, abandoned by the water in Ferragudo, because he could no longer sail it. With great reluctance the friend sold his boat to Luis, assured that it would be far better to see her proud on the water than slowly decaying. She was lovingly restored and refurbished, so that Luis could sail her on these waters he so loves, and share with us his delight in this special place.
Many times I have crossed over the waters of the Arade estuary, either on the motorway or, more excitingly, over the gracefully arched bridge that spans it, low to the water. When the tide is out bare mud flats stretch all around, but when the tide swells and surges up the river, it is pure joy to be carried along with it.
Leaving the harbour, Luis takes us across to the other side of the estuary and begins to share the history of the local fishing industry. We look up at the baskets on the quay, where fisherman used to haul the catch by hand. The chimneys dotted around the landscape are remnants of sardine factories long since abandoned. We pass by Portimáo’s proud waterfront and head for a sequence of bridges. Luis takes great care when sailing beneath them not to catch the lines of the fishermen above, and then we are racing across the water towards the next bridge.
I look upwards, excited to finally sail beneath this beauty. And then we are beyond the bridges, gently bobbing on calm waters as we round a curve into open countryside. Luis stills the boat beneath a rocky crag where wives used to gather, gazing seawards to pray for the safe return of their fishermen. The spot was consecrated as a chapel in the rocks by a bishop. In winter these waters are not so benevolent.
And then Luis gently steers the boat to where the waters divide, and we enter the channel which will take us to our destination, Silves.
Slowly we approach the city, former capital of the Algarve, and visible from afar across this flat stretch of countryside. When the tide is out the water here is very low and it’s a paradise for birdlife. We watch, spellbound, for heron, soaring off across the water and storks circling overhead. One day we must return to hike the riverside trail. For now we are hugely entertained by Luis and his knowledge and humour. He waves gaily to passing craft, seeming to be on first name terms with all who sail here, from solar powered boat to the owners of a tiny marina/restaurant.
The clouds have gathered and I’m grateful for a brief respite from the sun as we glide towards Silves. A shower was forecast, but we seem to have dodged it. Two large Viking style boats are moored at the quay, leaving little space for Luis, but he good-naturedly nudges his boat alongside.
We step ashore with an hour and a half to stretch our legs. Time enough for a stroll through the riverside park and across the river to look back on this magnificent, ancient city. Coffee and cake, perhaps?
Back on board, we retrace our journey, pausing to examine a tidal mill and the caves beyond, and a former sardine factory, now a smart hotel.
The sun is low in the sky as we reach the bridges, again carefully avoiding fisher folk suspended above. Luis explains that the arched bridge is designed to look like a fish, the eyes glowing brightly when floodlit at night.
Soon we are approaching Luis’ beloved home, riding high above the water. I’ve grown to love this place too. The beauty of this stretch of water, with its many moods and tidal changes speaks to me. You can only sail this route when the tide is right, but there are other trips you can take with Ferragudo Boat Trips.
So, when Tina asked me to Pick a place, special to me, I had no hesitation. Join me on Monday and we’ll do a walking tour of Ferragudo.
In the 15 years that I’ve been coming to the Algarve, Alvor has grown and grown. Given its situation, tucked into an estuary on the far side of busy Portimáo, and with lovely Lagos at the curve of the bay, it was inevitable. It’s one of those fishing villages I used to love to nosey around. One of the huge attractions of recent years has been the addition of a boardwalk, which takes you far out into the estuary. So, I’m delving back into my summer memories, to give you a lovely simple stroll this week.
It didn’t start quite that way for me, because I was joining the end of season rally with Todos a Caminhar, along with a couple of hundred others. Off we all romped, through the village, to the bemusement of quiet Sunday morning folk. Up and around the back of the ever expanding hotels and apartments, until I stopped for a breather and to admire the cliff top view.
People were just beginning to awaken to a lazy breakfast by the pool as I descended to the boardwalk. Save for young families and those determined to get a good spot on the beach, as near to the sea as possible.
It’s a good place to walk off breakfast, and if you continue along the coast you will earn your reward. I just managed to catch some last blooms.
An ideal subject for Becky’s October Squares? I hope you have your lines ready for tomorrow, but don’t forget to square them!
You can loop back towards the village from several points along the boardwalk, casting envious looks across the water. Not everyone can afford a mansion, but anyone can eat cake! Someone I know insists that pavlova contributes to his ‘5 a day’. Who’s arguing?
Short and sweet this week! I have company from England for the next few weeks, but I still have things I want to share, so I’ll do my best to continue. Give me a nudge if I miss you? Here, or over at Jo’s Monday walk.
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A walk I simply had to include! Cheryl shows us how very beautiful is Korea (you need a head for heights) :
Hiking Ulsanbawi Rock on Chuseok
And Lady Lee treats us to more of Japan :
While Debbie takes me to familiar and much-loved territory :
Promenade from King’s Cross to Paddington
Jackie continues her pursuit of food, drink and a little art :
Drake shares countryside and city. Take your choice :
While Eunice explores another well-known city :
And Cathy stays on track, with castles in Spain :
(Camino day 36) El Acebo to Ponferrada
Bye for now! Take care of each other till the next time.
They do look like they’re rolling around laughing, don’t you think? Always time for a smile on Six Word Saturday. Or beauty, with Debbie.
In complete contrast to Saturday’s post, I’m sun-dazzled in Carvoeiro today. Not my favourite place in the Algarve but, after the enormous success of my Street Art in Silves, I made it a mission to visit Carvoeiro for more of the same. Most of its charm fled with the influx of tourism, but in winter months you might still catch a glimmer. Just don’t attempt it in high summer!
You can forgive a lot with street art like this, can’t you? I wandered through the centre, beaming at each new find.
Do you have a favourite yet? I confess a weakness for the frog. A handsome prince if ever I saw one.
The background can enhance or distract, the musculature of Ronaldo seeming a little out of place beside that delicate chimney. But he’s everywhere in Portugal. Sometimes it’s good to see things in context, like this box outside the mosaic shop. And the lovely azulejo panel of the bay.
Just a morsel of cake. Not my preferred choice but very nice. However disparaging I may be about Carvoeiro, there’s a place just along the coast that never fails to delight me, even though commercialism has done its worst. The awe I felt when I first saw Algar Seco remains.
Fashioned by the raw power of the sea, the convoluted shapes and whorls cast a spell. A gentle whoosh, or a blast and a roar! The ocean always keeps you on your toes. You can follow the boardwalk along the cliff top to take in the views, or descend to peer through the lattice of holes.
The painted electricity boxes were there too. I hope you enjoyed them.
I’ve tried to catch up with as many of you as I can. Please give me a nudge if I’ve missed you. It’s meltingly hot in the Algarve right now, so I’m glad of those cooler weeks in the UK. Many thanks for your company and contributions. Feel free to join me next time here on Jo’s Monday walk.
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Debbie captures the action on the streets of Edinburgh. What a venue!
A North Korean history lesson and a stroll by the shore with Albert :
A glass of wine or two, and a trilogy, with Drake :
Beautiful gardens to wander in, with Sandra :
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC, Canada
While Irene enjoys a quiet life :
And Beatrice shares the natural beauty of Austria, courtesy of Ulli :
Alpine Flora and Fauna in Montafon Valley, Austria
This one from Eunice seems very appropriate this week (and note it’s a sequel)
More of Blackburn’s street art
And Cathy is still walking the Camino, one step at a time :
(Camino day 30) Arcahueja to León
(Camino day 31) Léon to Valverde de la Virgen
I couldn’t resist this walk in Paris. Please say hello to Yoshimi :
Paris Promenade plantée Coulée verte
Rosemay visits one of my favourite places in Yorkshire :
A Spring Walk round Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
And how could you not enjoy a port or two, in Becky’s convivial company?
But if none of that pleases you, take a trip with Sheetal. You won’t regret it!
Hope you’re having a wonderful Bank Holiday in the UK, and wishing you all a great week ahead. I’m still battling gently with the new phone, but I had some great news yesterday. My son proposed to his lovely lady, on holiday in Barcelona, and she said ‘si’. 🙂
Half a year in, I’ve gone from hopping about to keep warm, to melting slowly. 32C at the end of May. Definitely warmer than average! But not every day, and even on the hot ones it’s possible to catch a breeze at the beach. The season hasn’t yet started, and I’m still able to claim a wide expanse of sand, all to myself. But not for much longer. The other day I watched in fascination as the beach umbrellas were assembled. Heavy, circular woven mats, hefted up onto poles, creating small pools of shade. And beyond it, endlessly blue sea, swaying to its own rhythm, mesmerising. Like the wild flowers in the fields.
This isn’t as easy a post to write as I’d thought. I keep wandering back to the comments on Living the dream… 3 months on. You were all so very kind, and I obviously touched a chord with a lot of people. So, where are we now? A landmark for us. A first visit from a couple of old friends from the UK, who had never been to Portugal before. We waited anxiously to see how it would be received. Would they shake their heads and wonder why we’d left good old England? Perhaps if I tell you that they both love cake you’ll know that this place brought enormous smiles to their faces. And it wasn’t just the cake!
And in the meantime? As you wisely forecast, good days and minor hiccups. Small triumphs in language. (very small- I’m thinking recognised words here, not flowing sentences) A succession of goodbyes. Many people come to the Algarve in the winter months and leave again as the temperatures begin to rise. This is another adjustment I will need to make. But I know that many of the friends I have made will return. We share a love for this place and, once the bond is made, threads of our lives mingle, across the globe. Still, I’m quick to feel alienation. I court a warm response, but always hold something of myself back. Some lessons are harder to learn than language. Maybe that’s why I’m a wanderer, dipping safely in and out, without commitment.
I’m on the verge of a long awaited adventure in the Azores, though some might wonder why I need a holiday. By the time you read this the packing and angst should be done. If I don’t publish now I know this will be swamped by my impressions of an archipelago of islands. I’m off to catch a breeze!
It was a great week, in excellent company. ‘We’ve been so many places, I can’t remember the names!’ The first was Fuseta. Click on the photos for a clue. And then pop over to Debbie with six words. She loves photos! Happy Saturday everybody…
Where should I be the other day but in Silves, showing my friends from the north east of England this lovely city. Once I’d spotted another alluring electricity box, playfully painted, the hunt was on for some more of these beauties.
If you remember from Street Art in Silves, the colours are vibrant and the subjects very endearing. I might have cheated a little with some of these but they completely reflect the character of the place.
Ian really got into the spirit of things, didn’t he? They’ve gone home again now, but I know they enjoyed themselves. And, boy, did they love cake! Have you added any Street Art to Patti’s collection yet? There’s still time.
There are few worse feelings than that waving goodbye at the airport, but I’m gathering up some happy memories to share with you this week. This was our third, and possibly last, visit to Zoomarine. There’s something so endearing about a dolphin. You’d sacrifice your bath for a week or two if you were offered the loan of one, wouldn’t you? I know I would!
It’s great to be surrounded by smiling faces, and the zoo-themed water park has taken a leaf or three from the famous Florida parks, including a ‘catchy’ tune. It’s not something I would recommend for every day as it’s quite a costly business and in full summer would be far too busy for enjoyment. At this time of year, though, the sunshine can be quite warm and the water parks themselves are not yet open, so you can quite effectively kill 2 birds with one stone. But please don’t talk about killing birds around here. They do have ears, you know!
Talking of birds, isn’t this the most wonderful tropical plant ever? I always have to stop to admire the Bird of Paradise.
The flora and fauna create a pleasant environment for a stroll, and you can always spice it up with a ride or two. The wave maker was none too rough, but you could whoop your way down the water chute, as mine did.
A particular favourite with small person was the rollercoaster. ‘Hands up’ as you swoop downwards. He quite liked being high above the park too.
The sea lion show was in the process of being revamped, but there were crazy pirate acrobatics to compensate, and some hefty dinosaurs were being craned into position for a future Jurassic feature. Zoomarine has all the makings of a great family day out.
I suspect Patti knew I wouldn’t be able to resist her Delicious post this week. I almost met the lovely lady when she passed through Portugal earlier this month, but it didn’t quite happen. Hopefully another time. She and the Lens-Artists are doing such a good job. And for those of you who care about these things, the one on the right was my choice.
Time to catch up with a couple of weeks worth of walks. Please do visit any you’ve missed. And many thanks to all of you for continuing to follow along on Jo’s Monday walk. It’s much appreciated.
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Why not let Janet tempt you with an almond croissant? Or even a small absinthe…
Monday walk…in the Franche-Comté
Monday walk…the green fairy garden
You’ll be full as a gun when you’re finished over at Jackie’s!
Debbie I can always rely on to find me a view I’ve never seen before :
And Suzanne to sing lovely New Zealand’s praises loud and clear :
Hiking the Whakarewarewa Circuit
But I could almost be homesick for England when I look at some of Jude’s posts :
And then Tish really made me wish I’d made it to the Malverns :
Stepping Through Time and Space in the Malvern Hills (cue Edward Elgar)
Margaret seduced me completely by taking me back to Staithes, an old haunt of mine, and then disaster struck :
Ragtag Saturday: The Cleveland Coast
Les demoiselles de Caraybat, daffodils and gentians : revisited
Lisa, meanwhile, had her eye on a young eagle :
Life on the move. Drake knows all about that!
Where did Irene get to this week?
Soft and gentle Spring time, with Rupali :
It’s fascinating seeing the world from different perspectives. Susanne shared close to home :
A Walk through Fairhaven and Western Washington University
And Cathy… well, she’s always wandering 🙂
(Camino day 11) a day in Logrono
(Camino day 12) Logrono to Ventosa
But you could create your own Algarve walk, with a little help from a friend. Many thanks, Becky!
A magnificent hike in the Lower Guadiana
It’s Easter next weekend and I hope to share with you some of the magic of this special time of the year here in the Algarve. It would be great if you could join me. Meantime, have a happy and peaceful week!
restlessjo 
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