Spending a day out of Lisbon is something that I really like doing. It happened a few weeks ago when I had to go on business to a decorative showroom, originally an old winery. In a small village, between a mountain and the ocean, entering the space was like the beginning of a journey, the starting of a dream: objects, furniture, textiles, brought in from around the world (unfortunately, I was not allowed to take photos). It was an experience for all senses: textures, colours and unexpected volumes made me relive scenes of unfulfilled dreams, with the Orient and its mysteries as a possible frame.
As the business was concluded, I strolled through the narrow streets of the small village of Almoçageme, which sits on hills overlooking the Atlantic, only a 45 minute drive north-west of Lisbon. Its mostly white-washed houses are huddled together with courtyards and gardens, enclosed by walls and hedges creating a maze of narrow streets and alleys with breathtaking views of the silver green-blue, often tumultuous, ocean.
The beautiful Adraga Beach is about a twenty 20 walk but I decided to drive, instead. The road is hilly and return back would not be very comfortable. It was a fine day, and there were already some people n the beach while others, mainly foreigners, were enjoying sunshine as they were having lunch at the restaurant overlooking the beach.
From the beach I drove up the hill to a hamlet at which I saw sheep grazing in a green field. A small square with a bandstand seemed to be the meeting-point at which the elders (I saw men, only) congregated in the afternoons to socialize and play cards.
~~~I hope you enjoy the slideshow and I wish you a wonderful weekend ~~
Hi Belita!! Thank you for an interesting tour of this area. The first village is lovely, everywhere looks so clean and fresh and bright. I like your new friend, the ginger cat!! The Atlantic ocean at the beach looked quite rough, the waves seemed quite turbulent. You captured some nice 'candid' people shots at the restaurant. The second village seemed older than the first, more secluded, the buildings having a more 'lived-in' look. I liked the photo of the sheep playing 'follow the leader' :-))
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mitch, for the visit and comment! The first village as well as all that area is highly populated by foreigners who either have their second houses or permanently live there, after having got retired. It's not far from Lisbon, the cost of living isn't high, the land is fertile, close to several beaches, well it gathers several pros that makes it attractive also to a large number of organic farmers, small food producers, artisans and artists who crave relaxation away from the crowds.
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