AWW 11th November 2009. Ruins and ?River

 

11th November 2009. Ruins and ?River.

The Happy Wanderers:

Two-legs:-

Ian W, Bob, Tina, Andrew F, Paul, Myriam, Ian S, Val, Dina, Terry M, Sam, Chris, Hilke, Ingrid, John O’, John H, Hazel, Hedley, Terry A, David. (Leader)

Four-legs: Amos, Alfie, Maddie, Rosie.

The Track

Here we go again!

The walk was billed as a 3 by the ever-inventive leader. It turned out, using the scale details developed by the CB, to be on the cusp of a 4. Given that five years had elapsed since the leader had covered the route, this was not a bad shot. And everyone found the bar at, Cerca Velha south of Paderne, without difficulty, also something of a minor miracle. Parking was another matter!

Can we fit another one in?

A cool start to the day in the hills had led some to come prepared for a similar sort of day, but shortly after the start it became apparent that we were in for a warm one at the very least, and disrobing took place well before Paderne Castle was reached. Worthy of note on this early section was the amount of signposting and information boarding now provided by the authorities about the local flora and fauna as well as about  the castle itself.

It Says ‘Cuidade dos Passeantes’

Horatia and Friends

The R. do Algibre was, as seems to be the case for most of the year these days, completely devoid of water, and the old weir was crossed dry-shod. A photo-op followed at the Roman Bridge, with much encouragement to the leader to take backward steps out on the buttress he was using to take the pic – most unkind, I thought.

Can this lot take the castle?…….

….with canine assistance……

Paderne Castle was deserted and the gate padlocked, so more photos on the lower ramparts had to suffice.

…sorry,chaps, the gate’s locked….

…better retreat, then!

From there a return to the N270 was made via Barradinha, followed by a climb to the ridge just below the trig point at Almeijoafas (see, I managed to miss it again!), passing on the way the now celebrated art gallery Corte Real. The views from the ridge path were truly stunning on this clear day.

So many walks, so little time……….

Views, shmews, gimme the hard stuff!

It’s when they move that they’re dangerous.

Time, you old gypsy man……..

Descent to the valley floor near Lagoa was followed by a climb over the saddle and a contour round the lower slopes of Cerro do Samuel. The only navigation error of the day took place here, cleverly covered up by the leader as a small detour for the lunch-stop, which was taken amongst alfarrobas and in steadily rising temperatures.

Wall Street Cafe

Olientar Runch

I can see fish in ‘ere!

Resuming the (correct) track, the final major hill of the day took the group to the summit of Lombao (no trig!) and along the wide gravel road back down to the Algibre, followed by a most pleasant (and rapid) transit of the gorge down to Moinho Novo.

Third class picnic seat

Peace offering.

From here, the leader had hoped to locate the minor road or track through Casas do Poco and Aldeia Grande back to the start, but had to settle for a rather tedious tarmac slog instead. One of these days, I will find it!

The Yellow Bar (as Bob has accurately described it) was a welcome sight after a long and very warm walk. Sitting facing the sun there it felt as though summer was still with us. We need some rain now.

Happy drinkers with tonsure, 2009.  €400.

 

Statistics:

Total distance:-    24km

Moving Time:-      4h 42min

Total Time:-          5h  33min

Moving average:- 5.1km/h

Overall average:- 4.3km/h

Total ascent:-       503m

Max. elevation:-   230m

A couple of thoughts on leadership!

Look over your shoulder now and then to be sure someone's following you.

— Henry Gilmer

The task of the leader is to get  people from where they are to where they have not been.

— Henry Kissinger