West Coast Explorations

The west coast of the Algarve is totally different from the east.  It’s more rugged, open to the Atlantic without any of the marvelous sandbar islands that give us such warmer temperatures and it’s also very touristy, which is not necessarily a bad thing if that’s your cup of tea.  The one thing it most certainly shares with the eastern area is beauty.  It’s simply gorgeous.

With Marc opting to stay at home and enjoy a tranquil day of painting and relaxing Laurie, Patricia, Diane, and I headed off.  I had a rough route planned out, some highway but mostly the mountain route from near Monchique.  Turned out to be a good decision and I am confident in saying, all three of my passengers had a fabulous day.

We stopped at theCaldas de Monchique, which is a spa town in the Monchique Mountains. Sadly all the amenities were closed so no coffee for us!

The three amigas headed off for a lovely walk along part of the trail to experience the tranquility of the forest and the babbling stream.

Here they go…….enjoying the great outdoors.

Despite everything being closed, there was one vendor set up hoping to sell a few wares.

She was knitting and checking her cell phone!!!

The route from Monchique to Aljezur was simply breathtaking and also, because of the obvious devastation from last years forest fires, at times, heartbreaking.  I took a few shots to share in just how ravaged the countryside was…..not certain it truly shows the damage.

Stopping from time to time to take in one thing or another is a prerequisite on these kinds of road trips and with the wildflowers sort of at their peak right now, it was impossible to not stop frequently to take them in.

What a happy woman.

Lots of obvious pleasure in todays voyage and our many stops.

Once in Aljezur we stopped at the local market to stretch our legs, enjoy a coffee and most importantly (for some) find a toilet!!!  The market was small but quite enjoyable.  I think a few euros were left behind!

This heavenly looking bloom is bigger than my head!!

Gourds of every shape and size were available.

The signs on the toilets were quite cute…..men’s

Women’s.

I took a short walk around while my companions shopped.

We wound our way up to the castle on the hill and enjoyed a bit of a walkabout.  It was a very warm day but strong winds also…….you can imagine all the “oh, my hair” comments!!!!

Here are my companions at the castle gates enjoying the view over Aljezur.

The hillside leading inside the castle wall was covered in these gorgeous succulents. Seemed an unlikely place for them to be growing but obviously they loved the earth there.

We wandered Aljezur for some time then headed off towards Cabo de São Vicente, which is the most westerly point in the Algarve…..it is not the most westerly point in Europe as many say…..Cabo da Roca, west of Sintra, is the westernmost point of continental Europe.

On our route, we stopped for a leisurely. and very pleasant walk through the rebuilt village of Pedralva, which our friends Harald and Bela introduced us to this past December.  Everyone enjoyed it very much and as always, it’s wonderful to stretch our legs on a lengthy road trip.

This little fellow was safely ensconced on a windowsill keeping watch over the street!

This seemed to have been constructed as a garden ornament.

I was impressed with the rainbow coloured drainpipe. I swear it was not there the last time I walked through the village.

Cabo de São Vicente never disappoints.

Windy but warm.

Breath taking coastline.

We waved to my Mother off in the distance in Newfoundland.

Brave or foolish fishermen?

This artisit, from Loule, has a wonderful outdoor exhibition near the administrative buildings.

This is a wonderful use of recycling!

By this time hunger has crept in and we headed off for Sagres to the Restaurante O Pescador, which I had noted from a previous visit.  We were certainly not disappointed.

My polvo da casa……a tender and extremely flavourful octopus stew.

Patricia thoroughly enjoyed her sea bream.

Diane wasn’t able to finish all her lulas (squid) so guess who got one!!!

And Miss Laurie, in a fabulous seafood restaurant, ordered a mushroom omelette!!!

Sagres, in my estimation, is not a very interesting town unless you’re into surfing.  It’s pretty enough but there are many villages prettier and more worth the visit.  We did enjoy a brief drive about and stopped for a few photo opportunities but then headed on towards Lagos.

The surf was up and the wind wild but we parked the car and walked about for an hour or so, including into part of the old quarter.

Despite the wind, there were folks on the beach and in the water.

The police were advising people not to walk out on the pier but of course there are always a few who won’t listen.

The colour of the cliffs always makes me want to stop and simply enjoy them.

This church, in the old village, Igreja de Santo António,is classified as a National Monument. They had a huge exhibition on with artifacts dating back hundreds of years.

This old door was painted, or treated, with the most lovely hue of blue. The photo doesn’t quite do it justice.

I do believe there was a tiny blip in the financial economy in Lagos during this visit!!  A few more bags joined the others in the trunk of the car.  Then onward towards Porches all along the picturesque N125.  Another blip in the economy!!!!  We stopped into Porches Pottery, a must if you are driving through this area.  It’s been around since 1968 and the handmade, hand painted pottery is truly gorgeous.

Part of the patio at Porches Pottery.

The pottery store hosts a quaint and cozy bar with both an interior and exterior space that is all decorated in handmade, hand painted tiles.

I don’t know what this tree is but it was truly beautiful. A couple of close up photos follow in hopes that I can get help identifying it.

Look at this gorgeous detail and colour.

Depending on the sunshine, the colour of the blooms differed.

Our final stop before heading home, the point in Porches, enveloped by the sea on both sides, and the tiny church of Capela da Nossa Senhor da Rocha.  The elicited oohs and ahhs were exactly what I anticipated.

This fellow wasn’t at all bothered by our presence.

The tiny chapel behind them as they walk out to the point.

Looking back from the point. I had never been here to experience high tide before and it was wonderful to see. The winds had really increased the wave activity.

Tired but happy from our wanderings.

The old bell on the top of the chapel

And finally, the cross on the top of the chapel against the one of a kind blue Portuguese sky.

A grand day, and a full day had by all.  We had left home at 9 a.m. and returned at 18h30.  The pace was perfect, the reactions, worth it all and the memories….. priceless.