11.1.23: Under the Boardwalk - down by the sea

17 of us met at Ken and Miriam's house for a coffee before the walk.

John, Martin, Frank, Tony, Miriam, Alan, Marian, Gill, Wendy, Ros, Marshall, Linda, Ness, Susan, Julie, Karen and Ken plus dogs Rafa, Bica and Toby. The group welcomed 2 new members, Marshall and Wendy who Ken had dragooned into walking after meeting them at a dinner party the previous weekend!

We set off across the fields from the house until we reached the new boardwalk.  This runs from Vale do Lobo more or less all the way to Faro island.  Apparently Loule council intend to extend it in the other direction towards Vilamoura at some stage.

Continuing along the boardwalk round the lake, we came upon this building. "Was it a hotel?" someone asked; "no", said Miriam, "its a private house; empty for much of the year and costing several thousand pounds a week to rent in the Summer!"

Crossing the bridge towards Gigi's restaurant, (arm and a leg and a fat wallet job)  we headed on to the beach, where some walkers choose to remove shoes and the dogs chased around in great excitement.

Although the tide was at its lowest for the day, the sand was quite soft and it was actually really hard work walking in it.  2 km of sand, not what the doctor ordered; but the sun was shining and most of us were quite cheerful.

We then headed off the beach through the illegal fishermen's houses onto Faro Island.  Poor Toby got spooked by a rather protective dog guarding its house, but Miriam and Susan managed to catch him and lead him safely through.  We reached the centre of the island and the welcome loos, and place to sit to dry off sandy feet, and debate whether we had time to stop for coffee.  We decided we didn't.  At that point, Marshall and Wendy decided to forego the longer walk, and left us to walk straight back towards the start.  They did enjoy it however and have said they will walk next time they're back in Portugal.

We then crossed over the bridge back to the mainland, and proceeded to walk alongside the airport. Being a Wednesday, at this time of the year there aren't that many flights but Alan managed to capture one on its way out plus some storks unfazed by all the walkers.

We found some great seats for lunch; Linda had 2 of her favourite friends drooling by her side too.  Unfortunately there were plenty of mosquitoes hanging about too, and many of us got bitten.

Setting off through the woods, we came to the only "hill" of the day, and yes more sand underfoot. But then we were back on the path heading towards the salt flats and the salt "mountains"

    These could be spoonbills or non pink flamingos.  Difficult to tell and I'm sure someone will know and comment!

Walking alongside the Sao Lourenza golf club, it was teeming with birds and wildlife, and the odd golfer of course.

After this, we reached the boardwalk again where it started to rain.  There were the usual discussions about whether to don raingear; most did and it was quite a squall but it didn't last long and the raingear soon came off again.  There was some discussion about Kens raincape which had a large zigzag tear in it.  When questioned, Ken admitted he'd been wearing  it in the garden with his chainsaw cutting some wood, and it had got caught up!!! Note to self?

Miriam spotted a  seagull!                           Homeward Bound!

Back to Ken and Miriam's for coffee and homemade biscuits.

                                                      Moving time: 4hrs 28 mins

                                                  Total time: 5 hrs 4 mins