Today’s walk reminded me of a very special one. Back in December 2019 me and Michael had the privilege of walking with a Faro based choir called Ossónoba (the Roman name for Faro). It was our first with the choir and we didn’t know what to expect, but it was the start of a beautiful liaison. It all ended, of course, with Covid, but I’d like to share my memory of Benafim to Alte here.

Circumstances were very different when we walked at Benafim a week or two ago, in a small group. It was a day of bright sunshine and strong shadows, and a circular route, starting and ending in the village. I have to admit that I was mindful of Becky’s upcoming NovemberShadows, and I did manage to square a few. Hopefully you can spot them.

I had my walking pole around my wrist, if you’re wondering, and was trying to angle my body out of the camera’s range. Not very successfully! Benafim lies along the Via Algarviana, a long distance walking trail of 300km, running from Alcoutim on the Guadiana river to Cabo de Sao Vicente in the west. I’ve walked many sections of the route, but never completed it in its entirety. Benafim is a lovely village and offers lodgings if you need an overnight stay. The trail is divided into 14 sections, taking account of the terrain, and provides accommodation at each of these, but it’s up to the individual how much ground you cover.

Some of the houses are very grand, others more modest, but the overall impression is very pleasing. Of course, there are ramshackle corners, but it’s all part of the charm. Ceramic benches seem popular, shrubs colonise empty corners and chimney pots hold their shadowy secrets. Letterboxes are even allowed their own personality, occasionally. It’s that kind of village.

Bougainvillea and lanterna seemed to flourish everywhere, a great support act for the tiled fonte.

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Out in the countryside acorns decorated the trees, and an abundance of olives invite admiration of the survival skills of their hosts. Many of these are wizened and bent with age, but still they yield fruit. Aromatic and medicinal plants thrive in the hedgerows and cork oaks wait their turn to be stripped of their bark. The limestone harbours the wisdom of ages in its crinkles and crags.

The tree roots had my imagination working overtime. A pig emerging from the woods? The landscape rolled around me in subtle shades of umber and olive. A symbol on the path had us puzzling for a while. A directional arrow of some kind?

We headed back to Benafim through a narrow path between stone walls, shrouded in trees and dappled shade. All was quiet by the Nossa Senhora da Gloria church when we paused to pay our respects.

And there you have it. We came full circle and said our goodbyes. I counted 7 squares, but lots more shadows.

A special word for Jude today. She won’t be very interested in Benches right now, but maybe they’ll give her a little distraction later. Losing your partner in life is something we all dread. Sending hugs xx

Some walks to share. Many thanks, everybody!

Margaret leads us off with some beautiful Alsatian hiking :

Walking in Mountain Scenery

Isn’t Cumbria a lovely county? Let’s go back there with Anabel :

Another three walks in Cumbria

Let’s explore the film capital of the south, with Alice :

Historic Charm and Film Fame : Covington GA

Or you can let Alison show you around her beautiful city, for free!

Fun and Fantastic Free attractions for Melbourne visitors

Sarah takes us to a little known part of Paris :

Exploring Bercy, a Parisian suburb

And Steve ends his holiday with some wonderful views :

Dodd in the sunshine

While Carol takes us to a unique destination :

A Meeting of the Waters

I’m away for a few days, but I have a post scheduled for Cee’s birthday on Friday. I’ll carry on squaring after that. Take care till then.