AWW 28.04.2010: Picota Pilgrimage

Our comprehensive ‘back catalogue’ allows me the luxury of knowing that the last time we attempted a variation of this walk was Chinese National Day, 1.10.2008.  For historical interest and research that blog can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Were I not a perfectionist, I could stop now, as the map and the stats on that day were close enough, but things have moved on and the dark art of blogging has been refined, and of course accuracy and fair treatment of all participants, including Leaders, is fundamental.

The Leader failed to carry out an Health and Safety inspection of the footwear of his followers, not having learnt from Andrew F’s spectacular sole failure on the last occasion. Perhaps we need a meeting of a Sub-Committee on Footwear to sanction a compulsory scrutiny, as on this walk Myriam and Hazel both slipped and fell on the descent, luckily without any apparent permanent damage to their softer tissues, although Myriam has reserved her right to litigate, should her right forearm deteriorate in the next few days.

 “Let’s be careful out there!!” Sgt Phil Esterhaus, Hill Street Blues, 1981

Nevertheless it was a splendid day for climb of Picota, and we were glad of a breeze and the good clear views, although it got a bit hazy later, as usual.

The starters

Numbers were slightly depleted not only by Terry and Bob starting their sprint across the Algarve Way today, but also by sundry absences on domestic matters, and an odd reluctance to walk uphill for a couple of hours! John O’s daughter Clare was a welcome addition, fresh from the snow of the Wicklow Mountains (Sléibhte Chill Mhantáin – as John would say – the clue is in the name!) the previous week.

Leader: Ian W.

Present: Chris, Yves, Myriam, John O’., Clare (John O’s daughter over from Dublin), John H., Hazel, Paul, Terry M. (one week visit) Lindsey, and Rod.

Dogs: Maddy, Tiggy, Misty.

Track to Picota (courtesy JH Maps Inc.)

Stats:

Total Distance: 14 km.
Moving Time: 3 hrs 30 min.
Total Time: 4 hrs 57 min.
Moving Avg.: 4 km/hr
Overall Avg.: 2.8 km/hr (Season Low?)
Total Ascent: 634 m.
Max Elevation: 787 m.

Avg. Age (except Clare): 65 yrs and 26 days

The leader, having spent a sunny Thursday talking to his plants, finally got round to sending me his comprehensive report on Friday morning – and here it is:-

The temperature was only about 24 ºC when we gathered at 10.00 am to commence the Picota Pilgrimage. Rod was seen arriving in a cloud of ash and Lindsey arrived bearing gifts.

Comments about the leisurely start were noted by the leader who planned to have lunch at the summit and set the start time accordingly. As usual John'O had to straddle the grinding stone for the starting photo and then we were off. (funny – no photo of this!)

Paul was indulged when we detoured up the west side of the valley into Caldas village on the cliff-side path at his request and we reached the grand house La Belle France without a pause.

Hazel strikes a pose!

 

No caption necessary!

The Leader re-enacts the Nigerian W****r
(You had to be there!!!)

 

The route went through the grounds of the house because two large water tanks have been erected on the site of the old path. There we stopped to admire the Banksia rose which obviously does well without any human interference climbing all over the side of the house. Also there was a short stop while the leader tried (successfully) to find a path through the wattle to avoid those in shorts getting scratched. The next stop was at the huge rock which affords a marvellous view down to the coast and where not a few caught their breath.

Who’s the King of the Castle……,.?

…..errr that would be ME!

…or perhaps US!

After crossing the upper tarmac road and passing the quinta with the bazooka damaged wall we found that the path had been widened and cleared of vegetation. Although the leader would dearly love to take the credit, unfortunately that has to go to the German group who have way-marked the route from there to the top of Picota.

The summit in sight!

We stopped to admire a peony flowering in all its glory and the deputy paparazzi took a photo.

Somebody was heard to murmur that it is Paul's favourite flower because he knows its name. Perhaps because it was hot or steep, we stopped frequently to admire something and so arrived at the top of Picota for the obligatory trig point photo just after 12.30 where everybody held on to their hats in the howling gale and Myriam climbed the watchtower for the photo.

It was disappointing that the deputy chief blogger did not set his timer at the top of the tower and run down for the photo.

Above and Beyond!!

For a change we had lunch on the north side of the mountain to avoid the south wind, where Rod pointed out approximately where we will be walking next week.

Lunch on the rocks

Fashionista Gourmet at lunch!

After a leisurely lunch we set off down the mountain and managed not to lose anybody when we turned off the path this time.

New Odelouca dam in the haze

We seemed to stop countless times to look at the new Odelouca dam, which was visible at intervals all the way down to the lower tarmac road.

….say the bells of St Clements!

The next stop was to admire a lemon tree with oranges and lemons on it, An orange grafted on to a lemon rootstock Lindsey told us.

A touching family scene.

Soon after, Longevity sprang into view and everybody remarked on how much green carpet they were laying around it. Perhaps that is what they mean when they say it is a green project. The Foz de Banho had very cold beer but no Bohemia to Paul's great disappointment.

Trying to conceal his disappointment!!

 

Thanks Ian for a walk that is hard to assign a degree of Difficulty! 2* for distance and 4* for climb. Let’s call it a 3*, and say it was very enjoyable.

A few more photos I have saved from the cutting room floor:-

Two little flowers!

6, 7 and 9 spotters –all on the same plant
GM gone mad!

Grandpa Chris produces evidence!

…and the Caption Competition!

A couple of (PC) topical quotes:-

 

“Elections are held to delude the populace into believing that they are participating in government.”    Lieberman, Gerald F.

“The people who cast the votes don't decide an election, the people who count the votes do.”    Stalin, Joseph

AWW 21.04.2010: Romeiras Reincarnated!

 

        Not so much Romeiras being Reincarnated, but the 2010 debut of Ian S. making a comeback from his pre-Christmas fractured femur.

I rely on the second Chambers 21st Century Dictionary definition - “Reincarnation (2) to re-embody someone or something”.

It was also to have been something of a comeback for Antje after only one appearance this year so far, (to my recollection) , but becoming a Grandmother for the first time on the Eve of the walk, evidently provoked a severe case of New Grandmother Lassitude, and so New Grandad Chris, who was made of sterner stuff, turned up with only Tiggy for company!

Today was to have been the ‘Walk and Lunch’ at Equus Ourique organised by Rod, but he had been stranded in London by the Icelandic Volcano Ash, and was unwilling to spend a couple of thousand quid for a one-way car hire back to lead us.

I had volunteered to go to Ourique early and learn the walk (or at least record it on my GPS), so that I could lead the way in Rod’s absence, but The Senior Member spun a story of potential climatic disaster in the form of rain showers in the Beja area, which would totally ruin his enjoyment of the spring flowers, and persuaded Rod to prevail upon Pru, the proprietor and head lunch preparer of Equus Ourique, to store the lunch in her freezer for a second attempt in May. It was only later that the S.M’s motives became clear when he failed to turn up for today’s walk, claiming Trench Foot.

Thus, at extremely short notice, I upgraded and dusted off one of my Romeiras Rambles, and reincarnated it for the delectation of a select band of 15 as detailed below.

 

A sunny start – is it raining in Ourique?

Leader: Paul

Walkers: John H., Ian W., Myriam, Bob, Janet, Tina, Hazel, Ian S.,  Alex, Ingrid, Stan, Chris, John O’, Elaine.

Dogs: Amos, Alfie, Maddie, Tiggy

Track by John H. well worth clicking to read the highlights!

It is a great shame that Google took the satellite pictures of the left and right halves of this area at different seasons! Even Photoshop couldn’t cope with this! I am not sure what the reference to ‘circle squared’ is unless John was having a Masonic Moment. Perhaps he will enlighten us with a comment.

Stats:

Total Distance: 21.6 km. (Defectors 14.8 km)
Moving Time: 4 hrs 45 min.
Total Time: 5 hrs 43 min.
Moving Avg.: 4.5 km/hr.
Overall Avg.: 3.8 km/hr.
Total Ascent: 636 m.
Max Elevation: 389 m.

D.o.D. Just 4****

Average Age: 63 yrs 0 months 20 days (excl.Janet ) 

Dona Aldina having administered to caffeine levels, we set off from Casa Pacheco only 5 minutes after the advertised time, everyone having navigated faultlessly to Romeiras, including the usual suspects who couldn’t remember having been there before.

 

Ian S. was securely flanked by some ‘heavies’ standing by should he stagger and turn back to the bar before he had had a decent walk.

Once over the first ‘heart-starter’ hill the route descends to  a valley and joins the Almargem version of the Algarve Way up a pleasant wide path heading for the Marmelete Road.

There was a short break for energy bars where Myriam lectured certain walkers on the adverse effects of sticky sweets – luckily they didn’t answer with their mouths full!

(Click the pic and you will see what I mean!)

 

At the top of climb, no trig point, but some good views of Marmelete and the hills behind. 

Soon after we turned downhill towards the valley and abruptly came across a large number of beehives that had been set up on both sides of the track  since our last visit in January for a shorter version of this walk, which can be revisited by clicking HERE

Myriam bravely took this picture before running the gauntlet!

The advance guard got through without incident apart from Stan who managed to capture one bee by flapping his Tilley at it (yet another USP for Tilley), but alas, Tina in the van was brutally assaulted by at least 3 of the irate worker bees as she passed. Myriam was elated at the chance to operate with her Patent Snake Venom and Bee Sting Extractor!

I knew it would come in useful one day…..

The device not only took out the bee sting but also sucked up about 5 cm of Tina’s forearm. It appears to have worked, as Tina’s arm was apparently not as swollen as usual after the ministrations.

Unfortunately I was too far ahead to recite a version of “Where the bee sucks……” on Myriam’s behalf.

A little further on, though Ian S.’s dynamic screw was functioning perfectly, he felt a twinge in his left knee, and Janet fortunately had an elastic bandage to support the affected part.

Regrettably while pulling the elastic up over Ian’s knee, she lost grip with her right hand resulting in a rebound injury to yet another vulnerable area of his anatomy, which no doubt hastened his decision to go for an early shower, and apply some internal pain-killer. Maddie looked suitably concerned!

Soon after we reached the valley floor, Ian S. decided he had proved his point and earned enough credit to take the direct route back to Casa Pacheco. John O’ bravely sacrificed the last 3 hours of the walk to navigate him back.

The parting of the ways!

We climbed up out of the valley to the road, reduced to 13 in number, and Myriam brilliantly captured Bob singled out by a signpost describing his hair colour exactly…!

Blonde …. me?

At this point I threw in a loop, not only to get a magnificent view at lunchtime, but also to achieve the 20km as promised!

The views were good………

……and the wet winter has accelerated the recovery of the landscape as the replanted trees grow with amazing speed.

Another view of the lunch spot.

During lunch there were some beautiful butterflies around, and Myriam spent a lot of time chasing them until she achieved this amazing shot.

Can anyone identify this butterfly/moth?

CB Note: Done:  click HERE for info 

         At lunch the GPS was showing less than 3 crow kilometres to Casa Pacheco. We set off down the river valley, and it was clear that the recent wet winter had totally modified the previous path. Plenty of broken rock fallen from above, and several extra tributaries had gouged out paths into the main stream, which all contributed to slowing our progress.

This stream had widened and created a mini waterfall, but luckily we were able to cross easily.

Perfect Poise!

After a short final climb towards Romeiras, a green field of young wheat materialised, where formerly there had been a clear path. At times like this – trust the GPS!

They walked among untrodden ways!

No trig points on this walk so this will have to do !

And so back to Casa Pacheco to a rousing welcome from John O’ and Ian S. who had apparently ‘only just got there’ (unless they had been ferrying the empty bottles back inside….)

However we soon made up for that……..

….. with the help of Tina….

…..and a few of the others!

A rain-free walk and great to have Ian S. walking again – there is still a chance to accumulate enough for the Christmas blow-out!

Latest on Rod is that he has abandoned RyanAir and is making his way back from London via Brittany Ferries to Santander and then RENFE.(Spanish National Railway). Shabby treatment for a former Cathay Pacific model and video star!!

 

“Never stay up on the barren heights of cleverness, but come down into the green valleys of silliness.”    Wittgenstein, Ludwig

“The marvellous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”    Keller, Helen

AWW 14.04.2010 Ladies Day, or A Walk in the Rain - Again!

"When you´re lying awake
With a dismal headache,
And repose is taboo´d by anxiety,
I conceive you may use
Any language you choose
To indulge in, without impropriety;
For your brain is on fire
And the bedclothes conspire
Of your usual slumber to plunder you..........."

As he walked into the Bar`Mouros Encantados´in Paderne that morning, the Deputy Chief Blogger´s heart sank. There were Myriam and Janet comfortably ensconced enjoying pre-walk coffees, but no Chief Blogger! (No Maddie either, come to mention it.) DCB soon knew full well what was in store for him - he would have to do the blessed blog - and indeed there was to be no escape. His first, but entirely unworthy, thought was that Paul was a crypto-misogynist who could not face being led on a walk by no less than two ladies. But that notion was in no way correct. What in fact had happened was that our Chief Blogger had cruelly been struck down by insomnia, hence our opening quotation from W.S Gilbert´s patter song in Iolanthe. No doubt, Paul will be able to follow up his recent successful Proustian description of his heroic struggles with man `flu similarly with a Gilbertian-style epic on overcoming sleep deprivation.
But first the Starter photograph had to be taken. The initial attempt was a failure. People looked grim; Tina, Terry and Bob in particular looking as if they had seen it all before, all too often; and a special guest appearance by John Philip Sousa on tenor horn was blocked by Hazel.



(click to enlarge)

The second attempt at least brought out a few smiles - Ian Wilson or Ingrid had probably cracked a joke at the crucial moment.

The Starters plus one

Now for the cold facts:

Joint Lady Leaders: Hilke and Lindsey

Lady Followers: Myriam, Tina, Ingrid, Janet and Hazel

Dogs: Amos, Andy, Rusty, Bella and Shelley

Underdogs: Terry, Bob, Frank, Ian W. and John H.

The statistics (courtesy Ingrid´s all-American GPS):

total distance: 18.10km
moving time: 3hrs.56min
total time: 4hrs.40min
moving avg: 4.6kph
overall avg: 3.9kph
total ascent: 282m
max elevation:249m

average age (excluding a certain lady):- 64 years, 2 months, 3 days.

and the Track:

The Joint Leaders´Report:

"After the last fine weeks we had expected good weather, but no, we had to learn the hard way: our first appearance as leaders had to be in the rain. But we must say that the walkers who had not cancelled wore a smile on their face and did not let the weather bother them.

"We started in Paderne with the weather still holding, but already on the outskirts a drizzle developed into heavier rainfall and caused the first dress stop. We continued through some little villages with people greeting us in a friendly way, a bit surprised about those strange foreigners.


" After leaving the last village of Aldeia Grande behind us, the path climbed for a time taking us away from civilization into the beauty of nature. We had some good views over ridges, hills and valleys even though a bit hazy. Flowers were out that we had not seen on our reccying, i.e. lavender.
Discomfort stop

(One particular stretch was very soggy with especially clinging mud into which one poor chap seemed to have sunk headfirst:)
What a way to go!

"After quite a long spell of dry weather the rain started again just before the only really steep descent, which was rather slippery and took us some time to cope with. (We are really rather relieved that you cancelled, Ian Scott, it would have been a bit difficult to manage for a first walk after your operation.)

" So, when we reached the bottom and walked towards the River Algibre, which is really a very beautiful spot, we were all covered up and did not see much below our hoods or hats. And lunch had to be taken standing up as well (except for Ian W. - nobody cared to sit down on a wet rock).

Standing room only



"As we did not want the walkers to take their boots off in the rain, we took a little detour and crossed the river on a bridge (there had been no drop of water in it when we had done the first reccie last August, but it was quite a torrential river now). There was a big obstruction in the river at the bridge - full of rotten bamboo - on the one side and a quiet river on the other side. This might be a danger if there is more rain coming down.


"Going on we were rewarded by a fragrance of orange blossom when we passed through a huge grove. The countryside opened up and we walked through vineyards, olive trees and oranges.

(Here, Terry dismantled a GNR security barrier heedless of his personal well-being.)

"The rain finally stopped again when we approached Paderne. Some ladies (possibly because the end was near or because the rain had strained them?!) danced around to the tune of “Raindrops keep falling…”), but we made it into the café without any accident and without losing anybody (although we had been allowed 20% at the beginning as we were two leaders). "

Show me the way to go home

And back at the Bar "Mouros Encantados", there was time for some well-merited mutual congratulation between the Leaders:-

Well, we sure sorted the girls from the boys!

and for a touch of art connoisseurship for the camp-followers:-

A Titian, I´d say; arguably from his Byzantine or Blue period

before Frank was jump-started on his way home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The shares are a penny,

And ever so many

Are taken by Rothsschild and Baring

And just a few

Are allotted to you,

When you awake with a shudder despairing..................

You´re a regular wreck, with a crick in your neck, and no wonder you snore, for your head´s on the floor, and you´ve needles and pins from your soles to your shins, and your flesh is a-creep, for your left leg´s asleep, and you´ve a cramp in your toes, and a fly on your nose, and some fluff in your lung, and a feverish tongue, and a thirst that´s intense, and a general sense that you haven´t been sleeping in clover;

But the darkness has passed, and it´s daylight at last, and the night has been long - ditto ditto my blog - and thank goodness they´re both of them over!

(The complete words to "When you´re lying awake" can be found on
http://www.hyperborea.org/writing/nightmare.html

Aplausos para W.S.Gilbert.)