Tuesday 16 August 2016

Algarve, and Walks along the Cliff Tops

The days were hot, at 38 degrees Centigrade, which in fahrenheit is 100.4 degrees, and on some days the temperature rose to 40 degrees, which for us was almost unbearable. Mel was eager for exercise, although she had been in the garden, so early morning walks when the temperature was lower, became a pleasant ritual. As dogs are not allowed on the beach, we walked instead along the sandy pathways on the cliff tops, and here are some photos, (quite a lot) of what we saw on these walks.




This is what the path looks like most of the time, but there are also a number of "Villas" on the cliff tops.

There was a soft breeze coming from the sea most mornings, and we took a litre each of water with us.



Collared Doves in the "Agave American cactus". It's common name is century plant.

Although it is called the Century plant, it lives only 30 years, and near the end of it's life, it sends up a tall, branched stalk laden with yellowish blossoms, that may reach a total height of 25-30 foot. It flowers only once at the end of it's long life, and then dies. It's a good place for the doves to perch, taking advantage of the shade, and it makes a pretty picture.
 




When we are in Vau in October / November, Mel loves to walk along the sandy shore, and I love to collect shells.











The Yellow-Legged Gull.

The Algarve beaches never get crowded






Three more  shots of the Yellow-Legged Gull standing on the Villa roofs
 


 


 


Entrance gate to one of the Villas on the cliff top...
 

 called Three Palm Tree House.
 
My thanks to our gracious hosts, Stewart, Eileen, Anni and Theresa.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

46 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

A lovely post and great photos. I am almost positive I saw one of those trees you shared in one of our gardens. They were very excited because it was starting to bloom and I gather it blooms once in every 20 years or so. I wonder if it is the same type of tree?

Forest Dream Weaver said...

The coastal path looks inviting. Your photos are beautiful.....amazing colours! I love the iron gates,they seem quite baroque.
Thank you - enjoy your day!

Gosia said...

great place but too hot.Have a great week

Christine said...

Good morning in lovely sunny Portugal ! Those cliff walks are perfect for sea views and gorgeous photo opportunities! That was so interesting to learn about the Century tree and the doves clearly enjoy it!
Fantastic gates at that villa, they are very ornate!
Enjoy your week!

MadSnapper said...

amazing views, amazing beach, amazing photos today.. I love the doves in the century plant, my favorite today. several years ago we were in a preserve and i spied the century plant flowers like these and was totally amazed. i had never seeen the blooms, i came home to research and found just what you said today. seems they leave life with a bang... i read our profile for the first time and so glad you got that camera and started walking. i find the camera makes me SEE what I did not before

Marijke said...

Wow what a beautiful vieuws on your way with Mel. Breathtaking. A shame for Mel she is not aloud to go on the beach. Would be lovely for her to cool down a bit. And yes I know I am the one who's always complaining about the cold in Holland but 38C is also to hot for me. I hope temperatures are much better now for you. The plant is amazing. I hope she get the chance to spread her seeds.
Have a lovely day Breathtaking.

Linda said...

What a gorgeous place! Your photos are stunning! I have a lot of respect for seagulls. I see them quite often here in Montreal, and believe it or not, they often congregate on the public lamp posts close to McDonald's Restaurants. Here in Montreal we call them "the McDonald's birds" because they seem to be around them a lot. I think they like the fries. Thank you so much for sharing. :)

DeniseinVA said...

I came back to thank you for visiting and also for adding the extra information on the cactus. Very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed his post. Thank you so much :)

Bob Bushell said...

What a beautiful landscape, or seascape. Fabuolous photos.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Pretty scenic shots. Looks like a lovely place for a vacation. I love the gull shot and the beach is beautiful.

Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

Prunella Pepperpot said...

What beautiful colours and such gorgeous scenery!
I thought the Agave American cactus was small until I saw all those Doves perched on its branches!!!
Great shots of the gulls with the blue backround.
Have a wonderful Wednesday :)

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

The scenes along the water and the seascapes are splendid. Loved the doves in the Century Plant. Nice gull portraits, and that fence shows great workmaship.

Phil Slade said...

The temperature may be high but the early mornings must be beautiful for walking. Really nice shots of the Yellow-legged Gull - smart looking birds. Your cliff top walk reminds me of the Men or can landscape.

LEN said...

Thank you for bringing back so many memories.

matti niilola said...

Hi. Really beautiful place. Greetings.

Teresa said...

Es precioso, yo iré en octubre. Besos.

Brown Eyes said...

Beautiful pictures. Takes advantage of this wonderful scenery and walks with Mel

TexWisGirl said...

the cliff views are amazing!

Bethany Carson said...

Oh wow, that is quite the view down those cliffs to the beach! You got some great photos! Very nice gate in the last picture.

Stuart Price said...

An idyllic place. Think it's a Yellow Legged Gull by the way..........

Breathtaking said...

Phil Slade
Stuart Price

Thank you both for the ID of the Gulls, I appreciate your comments. I should have realized what they are, now that I have my book on Britain's Birds.

Nancy Chan said...

Our temperature is between 34 to 36 C and we are keeping indoors as much as possible. Love the doves on the Century plant with its flowers blooming photo. Beautiful beach and the blue umbrellas make a lovely pattern on the beach.

Helma said...

find a temperature above 25 degrees too hot lol ...... Beautiful pictures and beautiful beaches. The water with the cliffs and rocks are amazing to see. Wonderful that you have there so much.
I read that dogs were not allowed on the beach. That is unfortunate but understandable. I enjoyed your photos.
A hug

NatureFootstep said...

I have never been to Algarve but from your shots it would be worth a visit. Love it all.

Nick Morgan said...

What lovely pictures. You have brought back so many memories of our holidays to the Algarve. I can almost feel the heat from here!!

Mike Attwood said...

I don't know where you got the energy from walking in that heat. Looks as though enjoyed yourself.
Regards Mike.

Adam Jones said...

It looks like a stunning place. That would be a little too hot for me too. Love the Yellow Legged gulls.

La Biosfera de Lola said...

Hola, preciosas fotos. El paseo a sido muy agradable. Un placer conocerte. Muchas gracias y un abrazo.

Tom said...

BREATHTAKING!!! The Agave reminds me of Maui. Thanks for your visit.

Anonymous said...

I was coming for the fences but i LOVE the nice birds. O, thats very warm there. Do you have an airco?

carol l mckenna said...

Great gate shot among your very beautiful photos ~ Gorgeous place!

Happy Week to you ~

Debbie said...

what a beautiful place. too hot for me but a dip in the refreshing water always helps with that. i liked the "high" shots looking down on the umbrella's.....your fences are gorgeous as well!!!!

Ruth Kelly said...

Your series is stunning and that water looks so warm with all the people in it. I love the last shots of the fancy gate.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh so hot but so very beautiful. I love the umbrellas shot. B

FOREST SNAPPER said...

lovely set of images

TexWisGirl said...

okay, the gates aren't too shabby, either. ;)

Optimistic Existentialist said...

How weather notwithstanding, it looks and sounds like paradise :)

Aritha V. said...

Wow, nice photos. Thank you so much for sharing them all. Love all the beauty in your pictures. The bird is so great. We also have such ones near the sea. But so hot ... that is not so funny!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a gorgeous place to swim and go out in a boat. Many times I want to use the word 'breathtaking' for your photos! But I think you know that already! Hugs, Diane

Anni said...

My oh my....just where do I begin?
Y'know I love the beach and the sea. These scenic views are just downright extraordinary.
And enjoyed the cliff walking as you guided us through. The agave [century plant] in blossom is pretty. So many people think it dies off, but after blooming it has runners near the main stalk ready to come alive once again.

The collard doves in the plant is an exceptional photo too!!!

Thanks for sharing this bird outing with us today at I'd Rather B Birdin' ... always a pleasure.

Lea said...

Wow! That is hot!
Beautiful scenery, and great bird photos!

Breathtaking said...

Anni

Thanks Anni for the extra info on the Century plant.:)

David M. Gascoigne, said...

What glorious scenery. It's ironic that I have never visited the mainland of Portugal but I have been to Madeira and Angola when it was still a Portuguese colony.....maybe one day....

Claire MW said...

Beautiful photographs - I think I would rather be up on that cliff walkway than on on the beach. Such stunning views and the flora and fauna are captivating. Thank you for sharing the beauty!

Ida said...

Oh my gosh there were so many amazing photos here today. - Loved the one with the blue umbrellas. The cliff looked awesome and that gate was so pretty and fancy looking.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I love the cliffs and the ocean. The gulls are pretty birds.

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