BENAGIL Beach

 BENAGIL Beach

This was our starting point. As many of you remarked…, how the place has changed from the old days

when a Wednesday in November would have found Benagil deserted for winter; you couldn’t buy a

coffee in them days, now you need a bank loan! I looked into a brief Wikipedia history of the place . "Benagil is a small village on the Atlantic coast. Up to the late 20th century the village’s economy was based on ocean fishing but it has developed

into a tourist area with a widely used beach. It has few inhabitants but in summer many people come

from abroad. Actual locals are reported to be roughly 60! The main attraction is the cave at Benagil it is the only one that has been eroded both from the side

and from the top. (Blow holes up top and out the side…, local knowledge!) This natural process has

resulted in an opening in the ceiling that allows the sunlight to brighten up the grotto . In 2023 after concerns of over tourism was raised, canoes, kayaks and surfboards are banned! "

I don’t think we saw any evidence of that!!! The walk: Firstly the people

Ken Jackie Tom Linda Geoff Sue Miriam Ness Ros Jim Fiona Kieran Suesan Gill and Alan Furry friends Toby and Bica

What a stunning morning it was, not a cloud in the sky a perfect day to walk and take in the amazing sea scapes and rock formations of this stretch of Algarve coast. We set off up the steep hill back towards where we parked our cars and then a left turn into the country side . Lots of chatter as we proceeded across fields and dirt tracks

( If Alan, our official photograher, has been a bit quicker, he would have seen the lady lady actually dipping in

her well....ed)

It was the first time that Jackie and Tom ( from Cork) had met John Susan, Kieran and Fiona ( all from Cork )

so plenty of local Cork chat…, who knew who knew and who might be related! Indeed this could have been

called the Cork Wednesday walkers!

Meanwhile welcome back to Miriam Ken, Ness, Sue and of course our great coordinator Geoff.

(Those, more casual visitors, rather liked this flower.....those that were more accustomed to them,

couldn't see what the fuss was about...but it was pretty...ed) 

All this chat…, well it did not add to any great speed but it seemed everyone was enjoying themselves . Eventually we arrived at our lunch spot on the beach .

Some people took the sun, some the shade !

And some admired the " artwork"....Alan rockoned Art is either for decoration or for making you think....ummmm....

.penny for your thoughts???

The coast bit! Up the rocky path we went ( hands and knees for me)

Till we reached the top ! The rest of our walk is best described with beautiful photos

The Submarine....

The aircraft carrier...

I love the photo of you all on what looks like a bridge in the middle of the sea!

Thanks to Alan for explaining the geology! Alan is now our resident geologist as well as official photographer!

Back to start when some went for drinks and others went for a swim!

The Drinkers...

The famous five, mad and brave beauties went back down the hill to the beach for an invigorating swim!

                            (Well alleged swimmers, no evidence they were actually in the water!!!!....ed) STATS: Distance: Non Swimmers - 14kms Swimmers - 15kms Walking time: 4h25m Elevation gain: 324m Chat time: 5h5m! Thanks to all for coming to walk our bit of the coast & thanks to Alan for most of photos

( and apologies for odd comments, Ed!!) Gill and Jim