How are we already on Day 6, of this rather wonderful holiday?
After a delightful day off yesterday, we woke up early and set off in the soft, morning light.
Today’s stage would be just under 20km and we’d be walking from Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe, so we were looking forward to another beautiful day, on the Trail.
The morning light made everything glow, as we walked out of the town, across the boardwalk, and clambered up onto the rocks, at the start of today’s route.
It boded well for the day ahead
The rocks soon turned to sand, and we settled into the rhythm that we have found, over the last few days. At first, we found the sand was really tough-going, but now, we just accept it’s part of the trail and it doesn’t seem as bad.
It also has a beautiful colour on the low morning sun, and so we enjoyed playing with our shadows too
As soon as we had climbed up, above Zambujeira, the views opened up, and we caught sight of the coast stretching into the distance
We found ourselves walking through a little area of woodland
And then, bizarrely, through mud and water, that seemed to be coming from a running spring, which seemed so out of place, on the high cliffs, which had previously been like sand dunes.
I must admit that I didn’t imagine we’d have mud on our shoes, but we did after this.
It was beautifully quiet, as we wandered across the clifftops, enjoying the breeze on our faces, and the sound of the waves, below.
We reached an idyllic bay, with a steep, rocky path down to a little café & bar, where we stopped for a coffee & fresh orange juice. This has become rather a habit now, whenever we find somewhere to stop.
Refreshed, we headed on again, climbing back onto the cliffs, with stunning views, in every direction.
Once again the rock formations here are amazing, with pointed slabs of rock in the sea, with incredible folded rocks, forming the cliffs.
Then we spotted another stork nest, balanced precariously on the tip of one of these slabs.
I can’t imaging how the nest survives the fierce winter storms, but it was exquisitely built, and as with the others, sadly empty.
We sat on the edge, enjoying the view, vowing to return, when the storks are in residence…
Then, just after walking on, we spotted a nest, and this time it was occupied!
It was in an amazing location, perched on top of a rock, which was partially protected by a larger one, just behind it.
All we could do was stop and stare. The stork was just getting on with its life, high above the water, and we were mesmerised.
We had given up hope of seeing any, believing that they had all migrated, but this one proved us wrong.
It was a magical sight, and we stood, watching it for a long time, before dragging ourselves away.
We continued on, into a small village, where our stomachs demanded that we stop for lunch. We found a bench, in front of the little harbour, and then realised that there were more storks on a ‘sugar-loaf’ rock, just in front of us.
We munched our sandwiches , watching these elegant birds, enjoying the sight and also the sound of their clacking, as they seemed to chat, or admonish each other.
It was a truly delightful hour, that simply flew past, as we watched them occasionally fly off, to a nearby rock, or across the cliffs.
We knew we couldn’t sit there all day, so eventually headed on again, climbing the steep path, out of the harbour.
We found ourselves on a little promontory, just above the storks and enjoyed the closer view of them on their little island…
And also flying overhead
What a wonderful experience…
Walking on, the path hugs the coast, sometimes feeling as if it can’t get any closer to the edge, and as long as I didn’t look dow, my knees did the wobble too much.
Before long, we found ourselves above Odeceixe beach
and started the last section of the walk towards tonight’s stop.
We found a spot in a bar, enjoying a Sangria, just chatting about what a superb walk we’ve had today.
We still can’t believe that we saw the storks today. It’s really been rather magical.
