Camaraderie

Last night Marc came up with a brilliant suggestion, let’s see if Harald and Bela might be interested in spending the day at Faro Beach.   The suggestion grew into, why don’t Harald and I leave early, do a lengthy walk and meet both of you (and James) at Wax for lunch?

Bingo!  It all fell into place.  The only change of plan was James came along with Harald and me and started out with us but then wandered off on a walk of his own.  We left home at 9h30, walked for 2.5 hours and met Marc and Bela on the patio at Wax at 12h37.  Gorgeous sunshine, the surf pounding, the beach fairly well occupied.  Another perfect day in our winter paradise.

This is all part of the Ria Formosa National Park, which of course is protected. The bird life is abundant and grows as they sun increases the heat of the day.

Posing just for me.

This flat bill was feasting on something and totally oblivious to our presence.

And this little bird was happy as a clam that he had decided to come along.

This is the same walk that Marc and I had done a couple of times already this trip but today Harald and I continued the trail and according to my Fitbit we walked 15.15 kms! Given the speed with which we walked, I’m not surprised.

We walked as far as the Praia do Ancão which sits roughly halfway between Faro and Quarteira. It is also lies within the so-called “Golden Triangle” which is an area containing the Algarve’s most affluent resorts; Vale do Lobo, Vale do Garrão and Quinta do Lago.  Not at all my cup of tea.  Could be any international resort anywhere in the world, with requisite golf courses but, if it’s your cup of tea, it’s probably considered pretty  highfalutin.

Clusters of these are popping up all over the place and add such a rich and beautiful colour.

This massive tree/hedge was opening up. It didn’t look overly healthy but it might have simply been a lot of the previous years growth was still on the tree mixing with the new.

This is part of the Ria Formosa park……sadly there seems to be little regard for nature and the environment as the golf courses are being expanded and are stretching right out to the shoreline.

Another perspective on the Ria Formosa

This swing was simply calling out for a bum! I considered it for a moment or two but was much too focused on the hike.

This was one of the only houses along the route that seemed to represent the local architectural style.

I can’t find what these are!! There were about 20 – 30 of them grazing on the golf course. They look a bit like guinea fowl but smaller. I will keep searching.

Note the turtles and ducks all sharing this little “island”

On arrival at the beach, it was virtually empty.  Harald and I sat for a while and enjoyed the sunshine and the sound of the surf.  Sublime.

Looking to the west

Looking to the east

Praia da Falésia with it’s incredible red cliffs off in the distance.

The walk back took us through a small pine/eucalyptus forestand upon the site of old Roman salt tanks where they salted fish and made Garum, which was a fermented fish sauce used as a condiment in the cuisines of ancient Greece, Rome, Carthage and later Byzantium.  I imagine it to be a bit like really pungent anchovy sauce.   I’d love to try it!

Those wild and crazy Romans were everywhere.

Unlike many archaeological sites, you can walk right up to these and have a really good look. It’s amazing to me that they are still in existence and simply “right there”!

More Roman salt tanks

Marvelous walk/hike and guaranteed an appetite for us when we arrived at the beach at Faro.  As we arrived back at the car James was waiting for us, he too had enjoyed his walk and was also ravenous.  Happily, Marc and Bela had secured a table in the sun facing the sea and food wasn’t too long in coming once we ordered.   Lively conversation, good food, cold Super Bock beer, intense sunshine, the song of the surf and most of all, wonderful friends and camaraderie.