Hopefully those chairs will be unstacked and good to go on Monday. It’s been a long haul, but we’re ready! I’m celebrating 400 Six Word Saturdays today, with the help of a few BrightSquares. Wishing you all a happy Easter weekend!
Didn’t you always want to go traveling in a hippie campervan? Not sure that this is Jude’s style but the colour is right.
All aboard, Debbie! Happy Saturday, everyone!
What’s a person to do? Not enough days in the week to fit in all the challenges. I can’t deny Jude a Seascape, can I, and I don’t want to square these.
So Becky will have to wait till tomorrow. Sorry, hon! Back to play soon.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #102 and Six Word Saturday. I have a few technical issues and may not be posting for a while. Enjoy the peace!
I’m sure you can see why. Access to the beaches in Portugal has been restored, with a few restrictions. Happiness beckons! Enjoy your Saturday, and don’t forget to share Six Words with Debbie.
Are you finding it hard not to be drawn in? Hmm, me too! 🙂 January Light.
But I did see someone in the water. Cacela Velha is a lovely spot to just sit and daydream. Debbie’s sharing blue sky too. Don’t forget it’s Six Word Saturday! Have a good one 🙂
In the midst of packing, and abysmal English weather, I pause to look back at what I have to look forward to. One of these images might get me into trouble when I return. My very last day, when the dry river beds weren’t, but the company was good.
I hope Spring has sprung for you. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! Let’s get straight to the point with Debbie and her Six Words.
Fabrica, our start point
If there’s one place in the Algarve that always works its magic on me, it’s Cacela Velha. I’ve taken you there before on my walks (remember Mind that hole!?) but today we’re taking the boat ride from Fabrica. In all my Algarve years I’d yet to see the ferry across to the beach operating, but a reference to it in Spanish ‘Conde Nast’ left me determined. Described as ‘one of the best 15 beaches in the world’, I’ll leave you to judge for yourself. How many beaches can there be in such a location?
But I’m getting ahead of myself, as usual. Taking a Cacela Velha turn off from the E125, you will first come to a sign pointing to Fabrica. This will bring you to a tiny harbour with a couple of very laidback bars and a restaurant. Out of season it’s a place for fishermen and locals, but on the last day of my holiday in September it was almost bustling. The tide was out and flipflops or bare feet were the best way to squidge across to the boat.
Leaving the harbour
We scoot out to meet the sea, the boatman deftly following preordained paths through the water. Running aground would be all too easy.
You have two choices for disembarking- the first stop is opposite to Fabrica. The second, further along the sand bar, is opposite Cacela Velha. Let’s get out at the first, then we can have a bit of a beach comb before catching the boat back from the second stop.
Looking back at the shoreline
And just in case you thought I had the beach to myself…
The lagoon is a great meeting place for birds
There’s the boatman heading back to base
Ahead, the open sea
The sky was very hazy and the sea a milky blue as I wandered with my camera. What makes this beach special, though, is the view back across the lagoon to the fortress on the headland. There’s an almost mystical quality, to my mind, in being out there on the lagoon. The tide was low enough to plodge across to the shore, but the sea creeps in stealthily here and you can be caught out.
The fortress across the bay
A handful of people in the water
The fortress reflected in salty puddles
I carry on beach combing as the tide flows gently back. Joyful cries and laughter reach me from the family on the sandbar. The Portuguese families revel in their beautiful surroundings. And I do, too.
Can you see the family on the sandbar?
Their boat, bobbing in the bay
I should explain that this beach stretches all the way back to Tavira. You can reach it by catching the ferry from Cabanas, and the beach will be much busier nearer to that resort. A very long beach walk would eventually bring you to this spot. In the winter months that or swimming across would be the only way to get here. Or a boat taxi, of course.
In the opposite direction, the beach rolls all the way to Spain, but first you have to cross over a channel. A boat is a very useful thing to own in this part of the world. Speaking of which, here comes the ferry.
We leave Cacela Velha behind
And head back to Fabrica
The end of our walk? Well, first we might have a snack at one of the beach bars. Then I’m going to show you the view from Cacela Velha over to ‘our’ beach, just to give you a sense of place. It’s only a half hour walk along the road to Cacela Velha or, if the tide’s not too high, you can walk the strip of beach that hugs the cliff. You’d then have to climb the steps to the village.
Sitting at a Fabrica beach bar
And here you have it- the view from the fort!
Across to ‘our’ beach
And there’s even a bench to enjoy the view
Thanks for humoring me with this boat ride and saunter along the sands. My earlier walk gives you a land-based version, if you’re not a lover of boats. In either case, the views won’t disappoint. In the world’s top 15? I think there’d be strong competition. But I enjoyed it very much, and I hope you did too.
Thank you very much for all your support, and lovely comments. I have a fine time walking with you every week. If you’d like to join me, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page or just a click on the logo above. Next comes the good bit. Put the kettle on and get ready for a good read!
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Humble apologies are due! I forgot to include this walk last week, so please rush over there first :
Urban Walk 2- Toronto Cityscape
Totally opposite in every way- beach shots to die for with Anabel!
You can walk, or take the train. Either way, you’re bound to love the views!
Amy’s world is beautiful! Have you noticed?
Monday Walk : Architecture Walk, Austin, part 4
I’ve heard so many good things about Berlin. Let’s take a look, shall we?
A trip back in time with Drake this week? Any trip with Drake is good!
And now for something completely different. Many thanks, Elena!
You wouldn’t get this level of activity on a UK beach ever, I don’t think! Lazy, aren’t we, Pauline?
Early Morning Beach Activities
Ruth has a totally fascinating tour for us this week. One not to miss :
Port Arthur Convict Settlement
The highlight of Geoff’s post for me is Wimbledon Park tube station. A blast from my youth!
Capital Ring- Earlsfield to Richmond
Jude always shares beautiful walks but she has really blown me away with this contribution!
If you really want to test your fitness levels, this could be the place :
Once in a while I find something a bit different. For the foodies among you- say ‘hi’ to Ishita :
Iva’s Yummy Ljubljananjam Food Walk
Talking about unusual, thanks for these ‘wild’ animals in the city, Becky!
I haven’t had a stroll with my friend Esther for a while. Sing along, won’t you?
The title of this next post could really have described mine, but they couldn’t be more different!
Walking, Sailing, Walking, Wading
And you can always rely on Gilly to find the beauty in life :
Or maybe a stroll in sunny Munich will suit? Thanks, Rosemay!
Lastly, Denzil does his very best to give us a smile on a grey day :
Lots this week, aren’t there? I do hope you can find the time to visit, and many thanks to all of you for keeping me such good company. I have one more Algarve walk in reserve, but next week I’m going to hurl myself into an English Autumn, before it passes me by. I’d love for you to join me. Have a great week, won’t you?
Isn’t this a view worth falling down a hole for?
Well, don’t worry! I’ve already done the falling, and you really won’t need to. The view above is at Cacela Velha, the midway point in a beautiful walk. Let’s proceed with caution, shall we?
It was a little cloudy and cool when we set off
Good walking weather! We started from behind the broad beach at Manta Rota, in the Eastern Algarve, and picked our way through the madly flowering sea broom. We were heading west, towards Cacela Velha, with plenty of distractions along the way.
Like the sandbars, out in the bay
And flowering cacti, thriving in the sandy soil
There was a bit of a scramble at one rather steep point, but the men in the group shepherded us through, and then it was easy going again.
In an open stretch, we came upon a well
Well-rusted in close up, but still with water in the bottom
The clouds were beginning to break up as we skirted the stream
At this point, we trod quite carefully. Sandy, the walk leader, emphasized we should keep clear of the slippery rim. Normally the stream was forded by stepping stones, but they seem to have disappeared. It wasn’t particularly tricky, so long as you kept your eye on the path.
In any case, the village of Cacela Velha lay just ahead of us, and a coffee stop was planned. I make no secret of the fact that this is one of my favourite Algarve places, and that neither time nor man has been able to spoil it.
Though the addition of certain art pieces could be questioned?
You might recognise that lamp in the corner of the shot. There are several about the village, and one made a very discreet appearance in my Lingering look at Algarve windows last week.
The view really doesn’t need any enhancement, does it?
Is it any wonder I like to linger here?
And linger some more!
The church was busy with a funeral, so we kept a respectful distance
At this point it had become quite hot, and it was wonderful to be going down the steps to walk further along the beach, in the direction of the next small village, Fabrica. Not so charming as Cacela Velha, but you probably wouldn’t mind owning the large property erected by a builder, right on the shoreline.
The oleander are lovely this year!
And the columbine are doing battle with the cacti. Losing, I think!
There are a LOT of steps, but down is ok!
And then you’re on an unremarkable bit of beach
With a dilapidated but very picturesque shack
Up ahead lies Fabrica (and most of our walkers)
Everywhere, boats bob in the water
Have I lulled you into a false sense of security yet? It’s so peaceful, isn’t it? Time to head for home.
There is only one road out of Fabrica, so we turned inland and followed it, back towards Cacela Velha. As walkers do, we were chatting away, discovering fascinating facts about the surrounds, and about each other. We pass a couple of horses and a donkey in a field, and turn back down to the coast. Crossing over the bridge, we are back on our original trail.
It looks innocent enough, doesn’t it?
See that lip of soil, at the forefront of the photo? Suddenly my feet shot off the edge and I was plummeting down, towards the stream! Fortunately, one of the men had the presence of mind to grab for me, and then I was dangling by a hand. As my feet scrambled for non-existent footing, another of the men grabbed my other arm and I was hauled unceremoniously out. Bruised, shaken, and the cream shorts a bit the worse for wear!
I can’t even remember whether I took that photo before or after my fall! It doesn’t really show the wicked little curve that I missed while I was busy talking. My husband was far ahead but said that when he heard the shout go up, he knew immediately who’d fallen! I was very lucky because I would certainly have broken something if they hadn’t halted my fall. As it was, I escaped with a wrenched shoulder and a few cuts and bruises.
Drama over, we continued around the bay
The sky the clearest of blues, with just a few wispy clouds
I have to admit, I was happy to arrive at the restaurant, on the edge of Manta Rota, where we gathered afterwards. I needed a steadying drink! In the shade of the vines, with good food and company, I was able to laugh about the entertainment I had provided.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s walk. The surroundings are lovely, aren’t they? Both Manta Rota and Cacela Velha are signed off the E125, the Algarve’s coastal road.
I have acquired a faithful little band of walkers, and I am extremely grateful for their company. Each Monday I share the walks posted in the previous week. Please join me and my friends if you would like to. Let’s go visiting, shall we?
This week, Drake shares a little more of his delightful birthplace, the island of Samso, Denmark :
http://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/the-heels-of-village-people/
And you should see the lush gardens Amy found in Ronda! :
http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/jos-monday-walk-a-garden-walk-in-ronda-countryside/
Speaking of gardens, are there any more beautiful than these in Cornwall? Thank you, Jude! :
http://smallbluegreenflowers.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/garden-portrait-trebah/
It was a late night for Sherri, but she still managed to take me to Barrington Court! :
Come to think of it, Yvette likes to be out in the dark :
http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/a-walk-on-dock-street-and-a-dozen-doors/
Have a great walking week, everybody, but do be careful, won’t you?
I just realised, this is my 400th post. No wonder I’m feeling tired!
restlessjo 
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