Monday’s stroll down memory lane has put me in the mood for exploring the past, so I thought I’d take an even bigger step back in history today and share with you some of my past and present collection. If you have been accompanying us for a while on our Portuguese adventures then you may recall my first Olhão’s past and present and the follow up Seafarers of Olhão. There was also 50 Years ago. I do like looking back! I hope you will enjoy these just as much.
The first, despite having access to two old photographs and there being very little change, took me ages to find. I knew I had walked past it but couldn’t recall where exactly nor when! Finally though we walked past again and I got my ‘present’ shot. However I didn’t have on me at the time the old photographs hence not capturing it exactly right. And it is only today when I was preparing this post that I realised that I had allowed myself to be misled by these ‘old’ photographs. I thought the building to the right was what they were calling the town hall, in fact it is the building on the left they were photographing. If I had realised that sooner then I would have got my modern photograph far sooner. The building on the left is the back of Olhão’s town hall, but as I’ve discovered today what is now the back entrance was the main entrance in the 1870s.
The next three are all of the Jardim Pescador do Olhanense including one of before there was a garden. Think this is probably a change for the better. I wonder though if the fishermen would have agreed at the time, having lost their easy access to the factories and markets in return for a garden?!
Heading north now up to the railway line. First by the library which was once the hospital, and then an exploration down the railway tracks. The changes definitely not as pretty up here but fascinating in terms of past and present. Also surprisingly difficult to stand in the same place to take the shots!
Our tour of Olhão continues with a stroll back down the Avenida da Republica, also much changed and again not really for the better before returning to the harbour area, where I will finish today. I’ll probably be back though soon with more, in fact perhaps I should make this a regular feature.
But before I go, a plea for help. Do you recognise this village? Apparently it is in the Algarve but as of yet I have not found anyone who recognises it. Those chimneys are quite unusual for the Algarve. if you don’t know but know someone who might, have a Portuguese blog or are on twitter then do share this post, as I’d love to learn where it is.
What a brilliant idea Becky, I’d like to do that here! I hope you find your mystery village and it would be even better if you found out who the lady is.
You must!! It’s so much fun working out where they were taken and then walking around with the old ones
And yes I know – there are more in the book of people, many of whom must still be alive. I’ll think about a post.
Love the history. The before and after pics are great.
Thank you Sherry, it’s fascinating going out with the old ones.
Fascinating pictures. Thank you so much.
Just enough to whet the appetite for our next Olhao visit in a couple of weeks time.
So envious of you, we don’t return for a few months yet. Have fun exploring.
I’ve just sent the link to Alison, Becky. She’ll probably get back to you. 🙂
Ah, THIS village! I really didn’t get your reference to it the other day, but sorry- no idea! 🙁 It looks somewhere traditional and inland but those chimneys are a bit out of place? Alison Sheldrake might know?
So many parts to Olhao! Some I love, some I could lose. 🙂 (or get lost in!)
Tried Alison and she doesn’t know either! Those chimney look very odd to me, I suspect he’s mislabelled!
Agree with you there are definitely parts of Olhão that could be lost . . . . but when you look back at these photographs those areas were once lovely, and the bits we all now love were the horrid working areas which regularly flooded!
Oops, too late! Regarding Aly 🙁 I thought it might be Pedralva- you know, the uninhabited one that Dave likes?
Yes- exactly 🙂
No worries our comments clearly crossed along the wires, and am enormously grateful you have tried to help 😀
Hope you are having a good day with lots of glorious sunshine, cloudy yet muggy down here.
Letting Mick’s legs recover from cliff top walking yesterday, which was wonderful. Glum here today 🙂
Well not the glum bit but everything else sounds good 🙂
My digestives keep diving into my coffee 🙁
Sorry but that make me laugh very loudly!!!
Wonderful nostalgic post, though I’m not familiar with the area, the photos are full of history, old and new.
Thank you . . . . .I love looking at old photographs because as you say they are full of history. Hopefully one day someone might say the same of mine!
I’m sure they will!