Economic Trips with dogs

Here is a ride that I and my son did with Angel, our Australian Shepherd, ... economic and ecological !

Australian Shepherd in Salema Beach

On this weekend the Lagos City Hall organized a guided tour to the Dinosaur footsteps traces left in Salena Beach 120 million years ago.

Definitely a very well done initiative since hardily I could distinguish this footsteps on the rock and since Prof. Luís Azevedo Rodrigues was the guide, everything was properly explained and become a very educational and lightening trip.

Because it was field visit I took Teco, my Australian Shepherd, to give him and people the chance to interact.

It was a very pleasant trip, in a sunny day, that allowed us to know a new Algarve area.

1º set of footsteps that is believed to me made by a Terópodes group

2º footsteps believed to belong to Iguanodonte

More info in:

• http://www.mnhn.ul.pt/dinos/public_html/Media/pagina%20interior.pdf



• http://issuu.com/ciencia_ao_natural/docs/national_geographic_portugal_2006

An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in ferry boat to Armona IslandSince yesterday was 3 of May, Mothers Day, I thought that me and my son should make the most of the day and go into one of those discovery trips.

I already had heard a lot about the Natural Park of Ria Formosa and the first intention was to know and show it to my son, and so we went to Olhão. Of course, without a lot of surprise, dogs weren’t allowed and since I was with my Australian Shepherd, Cookie, I decided to investigate the boats to the island, which some people had also spoke about.

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Armona Island beach

Ferry Boat to Armona Island beach
We arrived just on time of the ferry boat leaving and sincerely without knowing its destiny we just went on board and trust our luck.

Now, for my surprise, the trip with animals is something quite common to the visitors and locals habitants of the island of Armona and I imagine my question about Cookie being allowed raised more surprise that the fact of me taking her.

Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Armona Island beach

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, near Armona Island houses
The island of Armona is one of the most peaceful places that I ever meat until today and taking the words out of my son mouth, the birds is what we hear most on the island.

The little houses, so I was tolded, are quite habitated and the island has a permanent population of turism and fishing workers.

My son and Cookie in a cofe shop at Armona Island beach

Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Armona Island
A trip to stay in our memories, since my Cookie, behaved like a true lady (even being her first boat trip) and was always obedient when I call her and stayed always near me. She is becoming a true companion in trips and travels, since she is reliable and we can always trust her.

Personally I love the area, the calm and peace, considering an idyllic excellent place to recover strength and energy from the noise and daily stress.

Other trips and travel:

• Dogs in Meia Praia
• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

Dogs in Meia Praia

Meia Praia beach in Lagos, Algarve

This weekend it RAIN and what may seams bad luck for some, for those that have dogs in a weekend early morning, is a unique opportunity to take them to the beach.

So I left my idea of being lazy on a Saturday morning and took Brad, Golden Retriever and Cookie, Angel and Teco, the 3 Australian Shepherd, and we went to take some sea baths … well, they took sea baths and I stayed for taking photos.

Cookie and Angel, my two Australian Shepherd, at Meia Praia beach in Lagos, Algarve

Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever, at Meia Praia beach in Lagos, Algarve

Two Australian Shepherd, at Meia Praia beach in Lagos, Algarve

Other trips and travel:

• Dogs in Meia Praia
• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie

Medieval Fair of Silves, Algarve

On this weekend the famous Medieval Fair of Silves started.

Since it is a period that always calls for children dreams and attention, I decided to take my son and my puppy Cookie, our Australian Shepherd, to a walk into our past in the medieval era.

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Silves, Algarve

Silves was dressed with flags, tents, stands, costumes, music and all of sort of effects that took us to that period.

I imagine that Cookie would be in a worst frightening state, since it was very loud, but she was a very behaved full of courage puppy. Curiosity about all of that was the main factor. Of course the big horses and donkeys made her think twice, but nothing that could be handled.

Some medievel dressed actores

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, at the Silves castle street

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in front of Silves castle entrie

My son buying a medievel wooden sword

My son even had the chance to buy a wooden sword with his name painted.

Then we went to see the tournament. The high event of the fair !

For my most surprise Cookie was allowed to watch and enter with us. I think just for this attitude Silves deserves a big reward.

At this stage Cookie was fine, enjoying the petting and treats I was giving for her to be calm and happy. But when the horse come running (IA we were in front) she thought twice and tried to hide under the seat. Oh well not everything could be perfect !

Cookie, my Australian Shepherd watching the tournament in the Medieval Fair of Silves, Algarve

And that is it ! Our trip to the past in the Medieval Era ! We love it !

Other trips and travel:

• Dogs in Meia Praia
• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

Two Golden Retriever in Monchique

Two Golden Retriever in Monchique, Algarve

Me, Brad and Bri, my Two Golden Retriever, in Monchique, Algarve

On this weekend I decided to take my two Golden Retriever, Brad and Bri, in a trip, since on the next weekend I will be all into Australian Shepherd presentation at Lisbon and Mediterranea dog show.

So after some indecision about the place to visit some how the road lead us to Monchique.

And I must say, what a city ! Lovely, so green and full of nice restful parks and green gardens. We almost could say we weren’t in Algarve or we were in some kind of oasis.

Our two Golden Retriever were very well received by the people and recede lots of complement, so a big reward for us. My son had a lovely time in the children play areas and love the flours, green gardens and of course water nora.

So a really nice place to visit in Algarve with a nice changing of sceneries.

The history of Monchique goes back to roman times, where the Romans were attracted by the thermal waters.
The development of the town was attributed to the growth of the wool and flax mills; and to the Chestnut tree saw mills.

In the end of our visit we had a mandatory stop in the famous Terms of Monchique, just to have look into this delight of peace.

Other trips and travel:

• Dogs in Meia Praia
• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd

Me, my son and Teco, my Australian Shepherd, in São Domingos Mines

On this weekend me, my son and my Australian Shepherd, Teco went to visit some friends in the little-known fluvial rural town of São Domingos Mine.

Teco, my Australian Shepherd, in São Domingos Mines

The trip was a long one, since we are more then 2 hours drive distance. But for sure it is worth it, since the peaceful town and quite fresh waters, gave to us an excellent day.

Me, my son in São Domingos Mines

A little information about this town:

Me, my son and Teco, my Australian Shepherd, in a visit to the mines

This town has been now renovated and has to offer five stars accommodation, a well signal visit to the mines ruins and restaurants with traditional gastronomy.




For those who don’t like the heavy tourist season, the month of July and August are a big No, since its terribly full of people. But in the remaining year is a lovely very quite town to visit and if you are lucky with the weather then you will be all day enjoying the quite waters.


The mines were exploited initially by the Romans. They were re-discovered in the middle of the XIX century and functioned until the mid-XX century, under concession to an English company. To stress the importance of the mines, James Mason, one of the partners in the business, received titles of the nobility from Dom Luís and Dom Carlos, namely those of Baron of Pomarão, Viscount of Mason of São Domingos and Count of Pomarão.

Other trips and travel:

• Dogs in Meia Praia
• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd