Over the cliffs to Lagos

Like any other coastal scene, the Algarve coastline features cliff-top walks that allow the rambler to visit all of the bays and beaches that line this beautiful strip of land. The crumbling sandstone cliffs near Luz are striped in multicoloured layers that delineate where the different ages of sediment were laid down over the millennia. And even these vary as you walk relatively short distances, so that on the trek from Luz to Lagos for example, the bright orange sandstone is capped with a rusty red stone that also forms the dusty pathways across the headlands.

Our trek, headlined as an hour and a half's walk each way actually only took us just over an hour - maybe we are quick walkers! Scrambling up from Luz to the obelisk that overlooks the town, we set our sights to the east and headed along the paths that took us to Lagos. Even in winter, the land is covered in a riot of colourful flowers amongst which birds of many hues swoop and dive.

The walk is not too challenging, after that initial scramble and, for those who wish to follow our trail, it's worth finding the side routes up to the obelisk, as the direct climb is not for the faint-hearted. These routes wind around to the left of the hill, heading in the general direction of the flat white house that dominates the top and then u-turning back on itself to gradually push you up the hill. Keep an eye on the final objective and you'll get there easily.

And once you stride along the top, you quickly see Lagos in the distance. However, it's not the main town you are after, but the beachfront that nestles where the headland once again falls away to reveal two restaurants and a cluster of seafront apartments. Our delightful lunch took place in the restaurant called Antonio's which sits nearest to Luz on the Praia de Porto de Mós.

A coffee was a must, to start with and then we succumbed to lunchtime treats of omelette (yes, two days running!) and a glass of very nice pink wine indeed. Our seat on the decking looking out to sea was ideal. We were shielded from what little wind there was, the sun shone and we toasted gently.

We sat and considered and decided that, if the weather were suitable, we would come back in a week's time to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

Then it was off to walk back across the cliffs to Luz and find our home, where we both suffered attacks of the shivers. Probably a little too brave in our t-shirts and shorts in the gently cool breeze of the Algarve!