Today has been one of those days, you know the kind where you’re always taking two steps backward because your ditzy and distracted?
It started with Marc saying to me, “aren’t you going on a hike with Debbie and Fred this morning?” Yes, said I. “Well it’s 9h10”!!! Me still in pj’s racing up the stairs to change into hiking clothes then racing out the door.
I was almost at the foot of our road, ready to turn on the R270 when I realized, dam, I forgot my camera. Turned around, back up the hill, camera in the car and off I go again.
Collected Debbie and Fred, 10 minutes later than agreed. We head off, find the base of our path up the mountain near São Miguel, start up the trail then Debbie asks, “how come you aren’t wearing your hiking boots today?” Oh my. At that point I looked down to ensure I hadn’t kept my slippers on, luckily it was my orthopedic sneakers and then I checked again to ensure I’d put my shorts on!!
Five minutes or so later I looked to see what the time was only to discover I had forgotten to put my FitBit on! For a moment I wondered if I might just be best heading home and going back to bed but no, São Miguel was calling.
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It’s till quite surprising to continually encounter areas of water on the paths, that in previous years have been continually dry. Fortunately today, the only area that was a tiny bit challenging had been layered with broken branches by some other conscientious hiker. Hurray for us.
At the top of the first path we took a small detour to enjoy a rest (it was 24 degrees) and a cool down on the wonderful ancient “picnic” benches near the old chapel. (Igreja de São Miguel)
We climbed the last portion of the São Miguel trail and by then it truly was almost overwhelming with heat. It didn’t stop us from enjoy the cyrstal clear magnificent views as far as the eye could see. Nothing obstructing us as we simply sat and breathed it all in.
This last photo is the island of Armona, off the coast of Olhão but taken from the top of the mountain with my trusty Canon. I love this shot.
As we headed down the first part of the mountain and arrived at the junction of the road to our return path it was evident that Debbie and Fred were enjoying the views and, like me, a bit overwhelmed by the heat. I suggested they continue down the mountain road while I would take the return trail, get the car, the drive up the mountain to meet them. And so we parted.
As I headed down the path alone I was struck with the quietness, the only sound keeping me company was the birdsong. I was enjoying this and rounded a bend in the path to see a huge fox coming towards me. I saw him before I saw me so I simply stopped and stood there. When he was about 20 feet from me, he looked up, saw me, and froze. Neither of us moved for the longest time, well, it felt long!! It was probably less than a minute when I spoke, I told him “one of us has to get off the path”, and with the sound of my voice he took off through the brush. What a wonderful experience.
Such a magnificent day and happily, despite my morning of forgetfulness, I did remember to go and pick Debbie and Fred up!! We headed into Moncarapacho, parked, then relaxed on the tiny, but beautiful main square to enjoy a snack, a cool drink, and some wonderful camaraderie. We kept saying how we still, after all this time, want to pinch ourselves.
Love your shot of Armona! Such a stroke of luck seeing a fox, lucky you. It was another grand hike. See you tomorrow for another.