Walking around the market in Estremoz yesterday.

Estremoz in Portugal’s Saturday market

A Pilgrimage to Nazaré

Today I made a pilgrimage to Nazaré, the home in Portugal of big wave surfing, and where the biggest wave ever to be surfed was surfed.

Even though I don’t surf, I am surrounded by family and friends who do. I live on Maui where surfers from all over the world come to practice their sport, and just down the road from us is Jaws, the home in Hawaii of big wave surfing. It would not have felt right not to come to Nazaré. I was so close.

Although there were no big waves today, I could feel the power of the ocean below the lighthouse that marks the location where the waves break. The overcast day, strong winds (so strong that I was wary about getting too close to the small wall that served as a barrier between me and the rocks below, for fear of being blown over), and the vast expanse of open ocean stretching to the north, south, and west to the distant horizon, only added to that sense of foreboding power. Although I don’t follow the sport too closely, I have deep admiration for those who do pit themselves against these giants.

Me, David, standing in front of the red lighthouse at Nazaré in Portugal where the big wave surfing takes place

Next stop America. The view yesterday from Europe’s most westerly point, Cabo da Roca in Portugal. Cabo da Roca, Europe’s most easterly point, situated in Portugal

Another Micro Meetup in Portugal with @maique, along with my wife, Melissa.

Two men and a woman in Lisbon.

Waiting for a meet up. Espresso cup and empty plate sitting on a tray on a table outside, a busy street behind

Alcácer do Sal by night.

The town of Alcácer do Sal in Portugal at night time, taken from by the river looking up the hill, all lit up

We went out to Arrábida Natural Park yesterday, and what a beautiful park it is. While walking along Praia do Creiro, one of the handful of beaches in the park, I saw a huge jellyfish and washed up at the shoreline. Its body was as large as a head. I’ve never seen one so large. I didn’t have a camera with me while on the walk, and so no picture, though I did capture some from the upper reaches of the park.

Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal, looking out to sea from the the tree covered hills

Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal looking from the upper hills across the sea to the Long Beach running past Comporta

Captures from a walk through Alcácer do Sal this morning. Drawing on an outside cabinet of a man sleeping under a tree Archway, painted blue trim with white as the main color, on a town footpath Chairs lined up outside on a tiled street Painting of half a stylized sad face on an outside cabinet

With the temperature in the low 30s, and cloudless skies, this character was overdressed yesterday.

A mannequin of a fisherman, over dressed for the very hot weather

Day 30 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Treasure, suggested by @agilelisa

From an art exhibition in Florida in 2018.

Lots and lots of little plastic animals, close up, as part of an art exhibit

Day 29 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Contrast, suggested by @gregmoore

Light and dark.

A lit road at night

Day 28 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Workout, suggested by @rom

Always worth it, but quite a workout. Haleakala crater.

View of Haleakala crater

Day 27 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Embrace, suggested by @mroutley

Returning to the UK, I always feel the embrace of the British landscape.

The Downs in Bristol

Day 26 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Belt, suggested by @annie

Taken in a small restaurant/bar in Kyoto in October 2016. A few beverages in view.

Japanese men sitting at a bar in Japan. One is smoking. A half drunk glass of beer sits nearby

Day 25 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Flare, suggested by @matt17r

Autumnal light.

Sun shining through the leaves of an autumnal beach tree

Day 24 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Belt, suggested by @allaboutgeorge

The only belt that I brought with me on this trip. Better than the last one though, when I forgot to bring one at all. Then there was a lot of hitching up of my trousers until I bought a belt.

Belt sitting on a pair of jeans in a draw

Day 23 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: A Day in the Life

Out walking in Bristol, England today.

Blackboy Hill in Bristol on a Saturday afternoon

I took this photo this morning while having breakfast and have only just looked at it. It’s a striking sunrise, even if I say so myself, with the cloud formations as well. Bristol, England.

Sunrise over Bristol, England with wispy cloud formation

Day 22 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Road, suggested by @jomalo

An old road maybe, running through the fields above the cliffs near to Ho’okipa, Maui

An old road maybe, running through the fields above the cliffs near to Ho’okipa, Maui

Day 21 of the September Photoblogging Challenge: Fall, suggested by @pcora

A Horse Chestnut leaves start to change colour as Fall approaches. Bristol, England.

Fall colours as the leaves change on a Horse Chestnut tree in Bristol