A Farmers’ Market and a Biodiversity Walk

27 Sep

These two enjoyable experiences were in ALVOR and a short riverside walk out.

Portugal is famous for its tiles – these are public benches.

The market consisted of small stalls with varying amounts and types of produce – mainly smallholdings I would guess. A homely feel to them.

String ‘em up and hang ‘em high.
Don’t be put off by their appearance, I bought some and they were delicious both on the BBQ and in a salad. I must get some seeds!

Leaving this part of the waterfront we made our way through a small reconstruction of a shelter, along the Ria to the base of a small cliff.

There was some clambering to be done in places but well worth the effort for the views. Along the route were eight notice boards displaying photos and information about the flora and fauna, some of which are unique to this area.
Fortunately the tide was out revealing mud/ sandbanks where bird and people were looking for shell fish.
Being Autumn there was not vey much by way of greenery – the optimum time to walk here would be in Springtime, from February to May – an abundance of butterflies apparently, plus flowers and even small reptiles.
These proved to be the exception.
However,reading the information boards was informative and the solitude welcome,plus the views.
An unexpected sight was this small dam which marks the end of the walk.
Old Saltpans.

We met an English couple who have a timeshare in ALVOR and they told us that once they did the walk on a Bank Holiday and were startled by gunfire – apparently on those days random hunting is allowed – fortunately they were able to attract the gun holders and got through unscathed.

Another varied and enjoyable morning.

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