Wild and windy rocks of Sao Lourenço

Finally we take the walk that's been in our own backyard here at Quinta do Lorde. Sao Lourenco. And, again, a completely new aspect of this volcanic box of surprises. Here, the narrow crescent of eroded volcanic rock is naked, windswept and awash with the Atlantic's powerfull breakers. Pinnacles and caverns carved by the wind and sea. The pounding sea, scouring salt and sand throwing white foam up from the base, patiently grinding away, day and night, for eons. The resulting sculpted forms are fascinating, even frightening, if seen from your sailboat rapidly closing on a lee shore.

The trail starts at the end of the road and leads out along the peninsula rocks, out to the high, narrow edge at the far end. Two more bits are islands, the last with the lighthouse at the tip end. There is the occational railing along the trail, so as not to be blown off in the strong gusts coming through the jagged rocks, from the northeast side. It's a good three hour walk, warm, windy and with steep ups and downs the whole way out.

The little lizards are entertaining, poking thier curious noses out of the lava holes whenever a sandwich-eating hiker sits on a rock. Ørnulf collects a fan club of about a dozen grey-green little lizards darting about looking for crumbs.
The last climb, past the palm-tree "oasis" at the house (Sardinha), is pretty straight up. The hard stone on the way up is wind-sculpted into orange-brown waves, much like snow at mountain-tops can be. There are two peaks on the narrow, jagged end of the peninsula, with a view on to the islands and the lighthouse. Then you go back the same way. With a short detour to look down the long stone steps to the pebble beach on the inside bay, Baia do Arba. A red, english sailboat anchored there makes it look peaceful and idyllic.

On the trail we meet boat-neighbors from Australian "Amaranth". We get together back at the marina and see their great home-on-the-seas, eat Liz's super banana muffins and hear of their Med. years .