Sagres, Stones and Terrible Hair Days

Boca do Rio

Carrapateira

The area around Sagres - the pointy bit at the bottom left hand corner of Portugal - is totally stunning. The wildflowers make a colorful frecklage across the fields, the beaches are soft and sandy, and the warmth is making my pits damp. It's around 27 degrees to day and we've spent the last few days at Carrapateira, Boca do Rio, and Sagres itself. We first visited here in the winter of 2009, came back in the winter of 2010 (when G managed a massive brandy hangover from substantial measures at the Last Chance Saloon), and now we are back again. This time the sun is shining even if the wind is still a little on the 'terrible hair day' scale, and the Last Chance is a slightly pricier Chiringuito.

Is this a wild orchid?

By the beach

sideways terrible hair day

sideways stone

We've even managed a few standing stones, most of which are now 'lying down' stones unfortunately, but we did manage to find one which has maintained its erect stance. We visited the 'Interpretation Centre' in Vila Do Bispo and they were extremely helpful, giving us a map of the megaaaaaaliths, and a personalised tour around their very small displays. Map in hand, we followed the Ruta de Monoliths, and found some stones which had seen better days but it was interesting none the less. It is a place where mandrakes grow but being terrible at flora identification we weren't sure if we recognised any.

No longer standing stone

sideways flowers

Hugo has developed a real love of beaches and is even putting his feet in the water of his on accord - occasionally. He has a great time whizzing around like a mad thing then passes out for hours in Dickie. I'm not sure why some of my pics have ended up sideways - sorry about that folks. Heading off northwards tomorrow for some hot mountain action.