Another gorgeous day, another fabulous hike!! This time I had a hodgepodge of fellow hikers, and what fun it all was. The trail was roughly 7.1 km looped and at the end of it all, a slightly adventurous drive for just a few km and a wonderful vista for our picnic.
Best to let the photos do the talking.
Me, Patricia, André, Diane, Bonnie, Josée and Lisa
Gary, Patricia, André, Diane, Bonnie, Josée and Lisa
Some of us had enjoyed this hike in other years but for some, it was the first time.
I think this is wild marjoram.
This is called Asphodel and the mountain was literally covered in it.
We started out like this and within five minutes everybody was pulling off layers and packing it away in knapsacks.
The cistus, which I love, are bursting into bloom.
One of our many gorgeous vistas.
The path and a huge field of asphodel.
Not sure what these are called.
These are from the daffodil family. Very beautiful tucked away amongst the rocks.
This old stone wall dates back to the Iron Age!
Bonnie enjoying a moment of pleasantness while we wait for the others to catch up.
I loved how these ancient trees survive.
A close up of the cistus.
At roughly the 2/3rd mark of the hike, you wander into and through the tiny village of Penina. It’s very old and also very quiet. A woman working in her garden handed Lisa oranges for all of us!!! What a refreshing treat and wonderful thirst quencher.
An old abandoned building at the end of the village as we came off the mountain.
And finally, Diane and Lisa arrive…..deep in conversation.
Patricia deep in mediation
Gary, Josée,and André holding up the rear.
Look at this abundant lemon tree. Now close your eyes and imagine the scent!!
This old door speaks of history for me.
And of course, every day is a perfect laundry day in Portugal.
I smiled when I saw this. Eyes and a mouth?
Up one of the village streets…..not a soul in sight.
I loved the balance of all of this.
Beautiful colours.
Big pots of overflowing orchids.
He sang for us when we first arrived but then he struck a cooping pose and that was it.
Our Lady of Fatima.
A glorious plot of calla lilies.
Sweetly scented orange blossoms….and right next to them, on the same branch…..
A big cluster of oranges.
The very last part of the hike is along the base of the “rocha” along an old farm road. It was really the only flat part of the journey and by now, appreciated.
A small lane moved us from the village to the farm road.
Here are some of the others on ahead. That’s the mountain we hiked up and across.
An old water well beside a very dry stream.
A couple of clusters of these tiny beauties popped up beside the road.
The french lavender is blooming and starting to scent things.
I’m not certain what these are but the fields all along the road were covered in them. A welcome splash of pink along the dry fields.
As I mentioned earlier, we headed up a small, winding, pockmarked old farm road as I had been there before, on foot, and knew there was a picking area up there. We were not disappointed.
Hungry hikers………
One of the two old windmills is falling in on itself and being taken over by flora.
A Barbery Nut, which is slightly different from an iris. It’s only about two to three inches tall.
Our view while we ate lunch.
I climbed to the top of the second old windmill and enjoyed the view from the windows
I climbed to the top of the second old windmill and enjoyed the view from the windows
AND…..one of my most exciting finds today……my first orchid of the season. I do believe it’s a bee ophrys but I’m not 100% certain. In any case, I did my happy dance.
A wonderful outing and so happy to have good friends to share it all with. In closing, something that made me smile today.
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Marc and Randys Travel Adventures 
Quelle belle randonnée. Je suis envieuse 🙂 xo
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Wish you were here to hike with me!
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Randy , you are truly a poet, the words fall magically . You make the reader feel like they are right there, smelling the scents, seeing the fabulous art in everyday things. Beautiful my friend, I so enjoy being taken away. Love w
On Tue, Feb 18, 2020 at 5:39 PM Marc and Randys Travel Adventures wrote:
> canadianboystravel posted: “Another gorgeous day, another fabulous hike!! > This time I had a hodgepodge of fellow hikers, and what fun it all was. > The trail was roughly 7.1 km looped and at the end of it all, a slightly > adventurous drive for just a few km and a wonderful vista for” >
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WOW, what a lovely compliment. Thank you so much.
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Looks like a great hike.
Thanks for taking Bonnie and Joseé on this adventure.
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Thoroughly enjoyed it Ken. Hope they returned home not to scathed.
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Great hike Randy! Thank you for organizing it and for allowing us to tag along – it was a wonderful experience.
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Any time, we’ll have to do more before you head home. When do you return from Spain?
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Nice combo of some great hikers! Lovely photos & so nice to see the flora – love the little orchid.
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Thanks Joannie………a great group of like minded folks.
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Happy birthday Randy! Hope you and Marc are well and had a wonderful day. Hugs susan
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Thanks so much!!! All is more than marvelous on this end.
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