Cachopo and environs

As our next area for walking was in this region we decided to do a field trip to assess the potential.

We had heard that the fires of last summer had devastated the flora so we needed to see how badly it had affected the environment. We stopped off on route at Parque da Fonte Ferrea, essentially a picnic site in the valley by a stream. In summer time it must be streaming with tourists but at this time of year it had but few and we walked up the river as far as possible, There were a few people and a camper van in the park but very quiet really. In summer they have quad bike tours of the forest and the machines were all lined up and ready for next season. It was all a bit artificial with man made weirs etcetera but at this time of year it was quite acceptable. 

Continuing onwards we noted that the whole area was badly scarred by last years fire. All the Cistus had been burnt along with the trees. Thousands of acres were affected. The trees seemed to be recovering but it will take a long time before it all gets back to normal.

We continued our journey inland towards Cachopo, but taking a detour on an interesting road into Castelao, a tiny village down a dirt track.  We wondered whether we should have taken this road but by then it was too late. The people of the village looked surprised to see us there, on a scooter of all things. They looked like Peruvians with all the clothing and hats. We resisted the temptation to stop and film and carried on out of the village on a proper road. This was the real way in to the place. Eventually we arrived in Cachopo and stopped for a coffee. By then we were getting cold so we took the main road back down into Tavira and then back to camp at Olaho..