The Track (click to enlarge) 
A large (21) starting line-up Once again Terry managed to get a coffee bar open before the start of his walk, and this walk, which bore some similarities to a previous walk led by David, started at Snack-Bar Sol e Serra in Corte Garcia, instead of Querença, which now has parking difficulties in the main square. A fairly grey start, and those arriving from the west ran through a band of light rain.
Leader: Terry A.
Walkers: Ian S., Hazel, Chris, Stan, Elaine, Paul, Lindsey, David, Hilke, Dina, Ben, Celianne, Tina, Rod, Ingrid, Myriam, Bob, Frank, John H. and Terry M (who had a labour-relations problem and didn’t make the start photo!)
Dogs: Maddy, Rusty, Alfie, Amos, Misty, Rosie, Tiggy, Harry
(8 dogs must be near a record!)
Stats:
Total Distance: 20.00 km
Moving Time: 4 .00 hrs
Total Time: 5.00 hrs
Moving Average: 5 km/hr
Overall Average: 4 km/hr
Total Ascent: 585 m.
Max Elevation: 440 m.
There is a pleasing symmetry and precision about the stats which were not rounded up, nor adjusted. Not only that, but Terry proved his supreme abilities as a leader by living up to his pre-walk email prediction!
Rod made a welcome return following minor bionic improvements to his lower limbs.
First time walkers Ben and Celianne joined the group with Celianne’s dog, Harry, and Stan and Elaine showed up for their first walk with us for a long time.
A handy wall for a break for the ‘wise’ or ‘foolish’!
Terry’s report follows:
It dawned a cloudy day which was not a bad thing for what I had in mind, I moved the start to the bar at Corte Garcia because the owner would open early for us and we could park outside which is something we can't do in Querença any more due to the pedestrianisation of the Square plus the cafes do not open till late, so I hope my little detour was ok despite more tarmac at the start than I would have liked, anyway once off the black stuff we had pleasant paths down to Fonte Benemola where the water was as low as I have ever seen it. We took the high path up the hillside, positively crowded with school children climbing up to the caves 'there is a geocache in there’ cried Paul, but we will leave that to another day.
Now crossing the plateau to the small villages that abound this area and all the many Fontes wending our way along newly marked paths heading ever nearer to the ridge picking up some muttering now from the walkers "is that where we are going? '' oh yes the higher the better, nothing like a climb, well the views are worth it. Time for lunch at the trig Cepo 438 m., now its down hill all the way, honest would I lie, a nice walk back to the cafe, the end of a good day weather was just right and the beer hit the spot at the finish. Thanks to all who came to another well attended Wednesday walk, Paul has the stat's which I think I hit spot on for once.
Terry
The second climb on the ridge – some straggling going on! 
The majority participated in T.O.T.P.P 
CB’s Comment:
Terry has turned this walk into a classic valley and ridge walk. The previous similar walk led by David can be compared here and while measured shorter, had an additional trig point and 230+ extra metres of climb! However the end was awkward and Sol e Serra was preferable to the new pedestrianised and touristy Querença.
Looking back at the Degree of Difficulty Guide, this was ‘on the cusp’ of 4* rating, but remained a 3* because total climb was less than 600 m. although it is conceded that there was a lot of waiting at the top of climbs, by those that ‘went for it’!
The Guide was introduced on Rod’s 1* walk of 30th September in Torre e Cercas, and is again reproduced here for reference in a handy ‘cut out and keep’ format for future leaders!
Guide to my new system of Degree of Difficulty (DoD)
1*: Up to12 km.; good wide paths; gentle ascents; Total climb <= 250 m.
2*: Up to 15 km.; mostly good paths; moderate and gentle ascents; Total Climb <=500 m.
3*: Up to 20 km.; some more obscure paths, some vegetation to push through; mostly moderate ascents perhaps one or two steeper ones; Total Climb >500+ m.
4*: Up to 25 km; expect detours into the scenery; several updulations where the leader has to wait at the top; Total climb >600 m.
5*: 25 km or more; new 'paths' to be pioneered, secondary jungle; severe updulations where breath has to be caught on the way up; butt-clenching descents; Total climb - more than expected. RTC 2009.
Reviewing this, I find that there are some interpretational difficulties, for instance where a walk of less than 15 km has a climb greater than 500 m, or as last week where a walk of more than 20 km and less than 25 km has a climb between 500 and 600 m.
Perhaps there is room for an intermediary half star rating where both last week and this week would be classified as 3 1/2 *
I think we need a sub-committee, and those with a need for precision, and capable of analytical thought can offer amendments to the Guide by comment or email to be discussed on the next walk.
“Some people are always critical of vague statements. I tend rather to be critical of precise statements; they are the only ones which can correctly be labelled wrong.” Smullyan, Raymond
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