And The Beat Goes On

I must truly be in my zen place as I  have to keep asking, “what day is this” and “what did we do yesterday”?   Another good reason for me to keep doing a blog……so I can look back and see what I’ve been up to!!

Yesterday Marc and had decided on a visit and walk on the Faro Beach.  The weather was perfect for it but because we weren’t going to head off until about 10h30, I headed off for a lovely walk in the Estoi area.  I never quite know where I am headed when I leave the house, I let it happen organically and as it turns out, my walk yesterday took me across the highway and up the winding road to Bordeira, about 5 kms from home.  It’s a bit of a busy country road but nevertheless, I enjoyed it. I looped down around the main road around Estoi when heading home as I was trying to get my steps in for the day!

This lovely clock on the upper wall of a quaint old farm house.

This was high up an embankment from the side of the road. I could imagine myself sitting up there, cafe in hand, watching the world move along.

I did clock in all my steps which meant anything we did at Faro would be a bonus……which translates into the possibility of another glass of vino!!!  LOL

The beach was gorgeous, all the damage from last year repaired and the sand pristine and level.   Here are two photos, taken when we arrived…….I stood in one spot and took them in each direction.

Facing west

Facing east

How happy we were to be here, the sound of the surf much louder than the waves seemed to demand.  We strolled along enjoying the sunshine and simply reveling in the fact that we were actually there.   We already have so many wonderful memories of this place…picnics with friends, lunches on the patio at Wax with some many different friends, long walks on the beach and then there was the time Marc lost his glasses!!

My happy husband.

Our first selfie of this trip

Lunch time rolled around and we decided to stop at a place we had wanted to visit, nearer to home than Faro, so we headed off.  Sadly the short story is, we sat and waited at this very busy place and we were basically ignored so……we finally got up and left and ended up in Estoi at Cantina da Lili’s……..

Traditional Algarvian carrots and olives. Delicious

I had Bacalhau à Brás

Marc had Bifinhos com natas e cogumelos

All in all, a glorious day.   The afternoon culminated in both of us on the roof top terrace, me with my ipod, Marc with his painting.  The warmth of the sun was lulling and comforting and I think we both carried it with us for the balance of our evening as we were both wanting to head to bed early.     Grand Day it was!

Today, Tuesday, was a dream day for me. There is a hike I’ve been wanting to do for about three years and I had asked Harald if he would consider accompanying me on this particular hike……more like “lead me” as I knew he had already completed it.   He had agreed and so, at 9h30, off we headed for the Rocha da Pena Trail.   Marc and Bela were going to enjoy an “artists day” of chit chat, creativity and goodness knows what else.

This is a reasonably demanding trail which is a loop, the exact type of hike I enjoy.  It’s a steep climb initially, 479 meters (1571.52 feet) but the views, the greenery, the scents and sounds are more than enough to distract you from the beads of sweat breaking out on your brow.  I truly was in my glory and Harald, a perfect hiking companion.  We enjoy wonderful conversation throughout our time together but we both equally appreciate the silence of each other.  I won’t go on about it but will simply post a few photos that hopefully allow you to appreciate the majesty and beauty of the day.

This enormous carob tree is safely ensconced inside this circular bench…….this is right beside the car park area.

This is part of the Rocha da Pena

Yet another part…….

And the final section. We hiked up to the top then all along the tableland before starting the trip down the other end.

A partial view from one of our multitude of vantage points.

a Tibetan Buddhist centre in Moinho do Malhão, one of the highest points in the Loulé region. This was a couple of “mountains away” but I have a great zoom!

Another view from yet another vantage point.

Read this then go to the next photo.

This is the amazing wall. Imagine….the Iron Age!!!!!!

And here I am at 501 meters.

And my wonderful hiking companion, Harald, at 501 meters

The tiny village of Penina below, which was our next destination on the journey down.

The trail was so varied. Steep climb to the plateau,  mixed woodland with oaks and junipers,  stone walls, and semi cultivated farm land leading down the opposite side towards Penina.   The guidebook said 6.4 kms but I don’t know what they measured as my FitBit clocked off 10.2 kms from the car to the car!!

Coming down towards Penina, an abandoned old farm building.

This gorgeous plant, in full bloom. I haven’t any idea what it is. The blossoms looked like tiny hydrangea, but not the leaves. Anyone?

One of the many winding roads in Penina…..I want to go back and explore every nook and cranny.

Once we returned to the car park we decided to have a tea at the tiny cafe then do the second small trail that lead to ruins of windmills, another 2.8 kms.

Brand new growth on a carob tree, such intense colour.

This massive persimmon tree, exploding with ignored fruit. Imagine!!!

A seemingly abandoned old building but not so, a couple of occupied housed surrounded it.

OMG…what a patio….every type of outdoor knick knack one could imagine.

The ancient ruins of the two windmills.

A close up of one of the ruins. I wouldn’t dare walk inside as it looked as if it could crumble at any moment.

What a day.  Vielen dank Harald.  You’ve helped make my day, which in turn, will be handed down to a few of our visitors this coming season.   By the time we had finished, 16.4 kms, much of it demanding, had been hiked.

Of course, we were hungry and a stop in Salir at for lunch was just the thing.

The name basically means, “return”

Febras de porco

Refueled we climbed back in the car and headed for home, me completely content and filled with immense joy from my day of hiking with Harald.   A final photo to close out.

As we ate lunch, in a very packed restaurant, we couldn’t help but notice an older gentleman who had finished his lunch and was enjoying a tiny siesta before he continued with his day……..how he didn’t topple over is beyond me.