Turning east

We have turned east along the south-facing Algarve coastline. It is not only still brilliantly sunny but it is also much warmer and the sea is calmer. There is a lot more tourist development and some of the beaches are crowded again. We walked on the first/last section of the Rota Vicentina from Lagos westward to the cliffs above Luz and back. Half of it is built up or near to tourist developments but the remainder is shrubby clifftops quite high above the sea, with developments only in the distance.

Further east we chose to go inland via Silves where storks seem make nests anywhere. This pair have made their home on the roof of the local PCP headquarters.

We have not taken as many opportunities to visit islands as we might have. So we did a ferry trip from Olhão to the island of Culatra which is basically a long sand bar rising just above the high tide level. There are a few fishing settlements and low-key holiday houses as well as a boardwalk to a white beach all along the ocean edge of the island. Even a few ferry-loads of visitors did not make it busy.

Our journey out to the island was at low tide when most of the bay is exposed as mud flats. But when we returned at high tide, apart from the few sandy islands, most of it is covered by water. It is an atmospheric and peaceful place, at least in lowish season. (Ignoring the planes taking off from Faro every 2 minutes; the island is right under the flight path!)