Well, another night of very strong winds, rattling doors and windows, and singing frogs! We both looked a bit worse for the wear when we sauntered down stairs this morning. In all my years of coming here I don’t think I’ve ever experienced winds like these. I suspect that with our house being up on a hill, and nothing around it to buffer the wind, it’s probably a bit more evident for us.
In any case, we survived and it didn’t stop me from having sufficient energy to head of for another lovely walk, actually two by the time we were done. Always something new to see and explore.
We had decided to head to Azinheiro and walk from there to the tiny chapel of Igreja de São Miguel. It’s not a busy route, and one that we’ve driven countless times, but had never walked. Turned out to be a great idea and one always sees so much more on foot than in the car.
We explored all the nooks and crannies in and around the chapel and were impressed with the views, the silence, and the peacefulness of it all.
It wasn’t a long walk, 4,24 km and only 1h2m, which is nothing for Debbie, Fred, and myself and so, I proposed a second walk near Fuzeta, and off we headed. We walked part of the salt flats but stayed on the side of the harbour opposite the town, which always provides such a lovely and different perspective.
When we arrived at the small promenade heading out to the harbour marker I noticed a couple of GNR (police) surveying the beach, where a number of people seemed to be clamming. As we turned to head back we noticed that the police were heading out towards the folks and then we saw when one of the men saw them coming and he and a companion grabbed their buckets and headed out, wading almost waist deep to get away from the area.
Two other men, nearby, didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps didn’t care. The GNR approached both of them, spoke to them, then started to head back to their vehicle and “dry land” accompanying one of the men.
I don’t know if it’s illegal, or what, if anything they might have been doing that was a problem. Here is what my research shows.
In the Ria Formosa, it is generally legal to clam fish, but there are important regulations to follow:
- Licensing: Fishing for bivalves, including clams, requires a license in Portugal, and many fishermen do not have proper licenses, leading to illegal fishing practices. 1
- Conservation: The area is protected, and illegal fishing can harm local ecosystems, including endangered species like seahorses. 2
- Tour Activities: Some tours offer clam fishing, but participants should be aware of the legal and environmental implications. 1
- Regulatory Actions: Authorities have taken action against illegal fishing in the Ria Formosa, indicating that while fishing is allowed, it must be done responsibly and within the law. 1Always check local regulations and guidelines before participating in clam fishing activities in the Ria Formosa.
So, a mystery but fun to speculate. I did very much like the GNR “getaway car”
It was another lovely walk, and great to “top up” our previous hike with physical activity clocking in at 3,70 km. All in all worthy of a stop at Marieta’s Café.
Fred and Debbie enjoyed a custom-filled bolinhas, chocolate and lemon, and I had a baked apple. I’m certain we burned off all the calories while we ate!!
I think there might be one more, or possibly two more hikes left in me before we head off on Saturday. Guess we’ll all have to stay tuned to find out.
