Algarve, Day 6 - Walk to Villamoura

 We went across the street and booked a "Jeep tour" for tomorrow and then grocery shopped. Checked the tide tables and then set out for the next beach again.

There are steps that go up to a lookout at the east end of the beach

Looking down at our beach from the lookout.

Then it's a sandy path down to the next cove. Our plan was to walk along the beach as far as you can see in this photo

to Villamoura at the end.

Last time I was wearing my sandals. This time I was in running shoes and could enjoy looking at where I was clambering, rather than worrying about slipping. Google search indicates these may be Limpits.

These, on the other hand, may be Barnacles.

I got a video this time of one of the springs bubbling up through the beach sand and the fresh water running to the sea.

Walking along, our attention was, of course, drawn to the water

but also to the interesting cliffs

that edge the beach.

We stopped on a bench at the surf school steps for water and cookies, entertained by a few, wet suit clad, people, learning to surf.

One of the surf fishermen had caught what he called

a Dorado which we later saw on a menu with the English translation, Sea Bream.

In search of a washroom we walked through a gap in the cliffs and found an unofficial campsite, European boondocking, (googled it and found that in Europe it is called wild, dry or free camping) but no WC.

5 dinghies under the watchful eye of someone in a powerboat. Sailing school?

Also a guy rowing an unusual looking craft. You can just see the letters H.O.T.S. on the front and the North Sails emblem on the side. I found pictures of what looks like the same craft used by Heroes Of The Sea, 3 German men who rowed, without a support boat, from the Canary Islands to Barbados in 2020.

Nearing the end of the beach, we stopped at a restaurant. Rather fancy looking inside, we ate outside, inspite of the gradually increasing wind.

The sailboats were still having fun.

Wine, bread, herbed olives, seafood spread and oil and vinegar to dip the bread in....life is good.

Aimee had vegetable soup

and I had octopus salad.

This is a great idea.

Hard to see in this photo, but in Europe, the lighthouse system is opposite to North America. Entering a harbour the red light is on the left side here.

Looks like the Ukrainian 470 Sailing Team is here. Next to the vehicle was a trailer with a couple of boats on it. The 470 championships are here in July.

The receptionist from our hotel had recommended this jaunt and said we could just catch a taxi back. Easier said than done. Everyone we asked told us to go to the marina.

Well it's an extremely large marina with restaurants and apartment buildings all the way around it. We found a taxi on the far side.

We walked the beach for about 3 hours, door to door it was about 5 hours, 16,800 steps. Tired!!!