Do you know what? I lost something this week – half a bloody stone in weight!
“Why’s that?” I hear you ask. “Is it financial worries? The stress of not knowing whether there will be an air bridge to Portugal or not? Concern over whether Sue and Lexi will be allowed to come here next week?
Well, it could be, but I don’t think it’s any of these.
I don’t often get stressed about stuff (well, sometimes, but not much).
I’ve simply stopped eating bread, I’ve stopped drinking beer and I no longer gorge on chocolate. I’m a bit hard up currently and this seemed the sensible thing to do. Mind you, I’ve started eating a lot more fruit, so I’m probably not saving much money at all!
Still I feel better for it.
I’ve also started walking again, every day. I just love it. I suppose it’s not the most sensible thing to do, with the height of summer fast approaching, but I don’t care.
I simply love walking through the Ria Formosa, alone with my thoughts. I find it such a panacea.
It can really hurt sometimes though, like this morning, when I caught the early train to Porta Nova and then walked back to Fuseta.
I was up at 7am. I showered, dressed and covered myself in sun cream: ‘Factor 50 for Kids’ is my preference – I have very delicate skin!
I then caught the 8:13, and was off the train and walking by 8:33.
The first hour or so was plain sailing – through Tavira, down to Santa Luzia and on towards Barril Beach.
It was at this point that things became very painful!
The day was extremely hot, and I had a good sweat on. I always carry a small rucksack and a bottle of water, so I stopped to take some water on board.
I took the top off the bottle, lifted the bottle to my lips, tilted my head back and took a good swig.
As I finished drinking and lowered my head again, it happened.
“Aaaaaghhh!!!!!”
Right in my eye!
A great big bead of sweat had rolled off my forehead and into my eye. And it wasn’t just any old bead of sweat; it was a bead of sweat combined with ‘Factor 50 for Kids’ sun cream!
And boy, did it sting!
“Aaaaaghhh!!!!!”
I rubbed my eye vigorously, initially spreading the pain, but eventually causing it to ease.
I blinked a few times, and then took my hanky out to wipe my forehead to stop a painful reoccurrence.
Mmmm… maybe I should wear a bandana to keep the sweat out of my eyes?
It took a millisecond to reject that idea! Me? Wear a bandana? No way! I’d look like a knob! Maybe I look like a knob already, in my big boots, rugby socks and military style cargo shorts, but I’d look even more of a knob wearing a bandana!
I’d rather take the pain, thank you very much.
Anyway, back to the walking…
I’ve noticed on recent walks that things have changed since I last trod these paths.
The first thing I noticed were the trains.
The Ecovia, in places, runs alongside the railway track that follows the Algarvian coastline.
Since I’ve been walking here, I’ve rather enjoyed seeing the trains pass, covered in bright graffiti. I like to see if I recognise each train, to see whether the train has passed me before.
Am I turning into a closet train-spotter?! Oh bloody hell…
Anyway, all the trains are now devoid of all graffiti. It looks like ‘Comboios de Portugal’ have spent their time well during the lockdown. All the trains have been cleaned and now look brand spanking new.
From a personal point of view I find it rather sad.
As you know, I really like the Graffiti, but I’m probably alone in this. After conversations with other people, I’m always left with the feeling that I’m a one-man band when it comes to Graffiti appreciation…
Ah well, from my own selfish point of view, hopefully the Graffiti boys will be back working on the trains again soon!
I’ve also noticed that the landscape has changed.
I noticed today that the big field on the right (as you head down the road from Tavira to Santa Luzia) has been ploughed. I’m sure it was just trees there before. They’ve now all gone, and I’m not sure why. To allow for more arable farming? To build houses? Who knows? But it’s changed.
And when I walked down from Vila Nova de Cacela towards Cacela Velha last weekend, I noticed that the big field on the left now has a high fence, a large gate, ‘Private Property’ signs, and tracks running across it, as though it’s ready to be built upon.
I really hope not. The lovely thing about Cacela Velha is that it stands alone on the coast, overlooking the stunning beach below, with nothing but countryside around it.
It would be a travesty to build a housing estate so close to this stunning piece of coastline. But if it happens? That’s progress, I suppose.
I’ve also noticed many fields that have been cultivated and are now home to uniform rows of orange trees – you’ll see one of these out of the left-hand window of the train as you leave Fuseta heading east.
So what I suppose I’m saying is that the lockdown hasn’t all been about apathy and laziness. Some people here have been working hard, and that’s impressive.
But the biggest change I’ve noticed is when I walked from Cacela to Tavira via Cabanas last weekend.
Every time I’ve done this walk previously, there’s been a problem on reaching the Ribeira do Almagem.
This river has three crossings: the road crossing for the 125 (maybe a half-mile up river), a train bridge and a pedestrian bridge (forming part of the Ecovia).
Unfortunately, the pedestrian bridge had fallen into disrepair. It wasn’t safe to cross, although many still did – taking their life in their hands as far as I was concerned.
The alternatives were to walk across the railway bridge, stepping carefully on each sleeper (not recommended at all!) or cut back inland to the 125 and risk the heavy traffic screaming past.
So you had three options that weren’t really options at all!
But now… now… oh yes! Now the pedestrian bridge has been rebuilt! Now the pedestrian bridge is fit for purpose!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it. I’d heard rumours, but…
Anyway, fantastic! Let’s hope that it remains fit for purpose for many years to come so that I can walk this route without risking life and limb!!