Ponta Sao Lourenco walk
Amoret
Sat 15 Nov 2008 11:12
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A few more pictures - here are views of Quinta do
Lorde marina and surroundings (the impressive islands are the Ilhas Desertas, a
nature reserve that I hope to visit):
   My first proper walk was to the eastern tip of
Madeira - Ponta Sao Vicente. This lies within a National Park that also includes
the Marina and its inshore waters (so no pumping the boat toilet into the marina
here!). The walk was spectacular with cliffs plunging into the sea on the north
side and often pretty steep on the south side into Baia da Abra too. More like a
miniature mountain ridge walk (such as Aonach Eagach or the Cuillin) than the
better-known levada walks of Madeira that contour along the paths that follow
water collection channels on the hillsides - but more of them when I have some
photos. The pictures with palm trees in the foreground look back along the ridge
from about a half-mile short of the end and give a good feel of the place.
The final half-mile is very steep and rather loose and is omitted from the guide
books,but the pile of rocks with the green lizards is on the final
summit.
       I prospected a levada walk in the last couple of
hours of daylight yesterday so plan to do a few and inflict photos on you
soon.
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