AWW 26.05.2010: Valleys low, Mountains high, or a Salir Safari

Demographically speaking, definitely a swing to the centre: only one representative from the Lagos area, two from the north, three from the mid-west, and no less than 6 (50%) from the central reaches. Is this, as David (Cameron) might have asked, an "historic and seismic shift" in the AWW landscape?
Be that as it may, pre-walk, Alex seemed somewhat apprehensive: was it because of the number of sharp elbows around, or because of the absence of any of the other FP girls,

or was she just looking forward to the advertised "chance of a coffee at lunchtime"?

The Starters

Leader: Terry Ames
Followers: Bob, Chris, Rod, Ian W., Hilke, Alex, Yves, David, Dina, Lindsey, JohnH.
Dogs: Tiggie, Rusty, Amos, Alfie, Rosie and Misty.


The Track

and the Statistics (as extracted from JohnH´s cardboard cut-out GPS)

Moving time: 3hrs 21m

Moving avg: 4.7kph

Distance: 18.48kms

Area:350.7 hectares

The Leader´s Report:

"The theme of the walk was valleys low, mountain high.
Wednesday dawned cloudy but warm so we didn't know if we were in for
a hot one or not. Our first valley from Salir ran alongside a small river which
still had plenty of water in it much to the delight of the dogs. As we made
our way to the first village where we picked up the Via Algarviana trail, this
was a very old donkey/cart track as can be seen by parts of the original stone
walls and this eventually comes out to a small ridgeway with nice views
across to Rocha de Pena. We crossed the main road and walked through Pena;
by now we had switched to The Algarve Way down little unused and overgrown
footpaths to reach the cafe at the bottom of the escarpment where we took
the tourist route to the top. By now the sun had come out and was beginning
to have its effects on the group, we followed the trail along the top of the
escarpment towards the trig all the way affording spectacular views to the
South. We all gathered at the trig for the obligatory pic with John's GPS having
the spot height bang on and that done we followed the trail down to Penina
where a leisurely lunch was taken in the shade at the Shrine to Fatima.
With walkers and dogs fed and watered we started our way back again on old
overgrown footpaths. The wet Winter this year has certainly made the grass grow,
the old path had been harrowed in places which threw the Intrepid Leader for at
least a second or two but we came out at the right place to cross the road and
continue down the valley towards Salir along the old cart tracks. Now that we were
walking low in the valley, the sun was really hot; we were all beginning to wilt a
bit, particularly the dogs, and quite a few water stops were necessary to keep all
hydrated. On getting back to civilisation I amended the route to walk along the
river track again much to the delight of the dogs who threw themselves into the
river. Easy walk back to Salir now for well earned drinks.
Thanks to all who came, I enjoyed the walk and the company; that's me done for
the Summer and will see you again in the Autumn when we can do it all again.
Terry."

The old nora

Rocha da Pena looked quite nice from a distance: little did we know....

Muddy Bottom, Pena

The ascent of Rocha da Pena started at 319m.

La Folie d´un Francais (no.1)

La Folie d´un Francais (no.2)

Escarpment Wall

Leader rallies the troops before the trig point

The Talefe Trig at 479m.

Cheerfully down into Penina.

Water relief for the dogs

M. Le Gourmet spreads his linen while Ian W offers him a phantom glass of Cotie-Rotie Les Jumelles 1999.

There were indeed testing times on the long and hot road home, the dogs needing several stops for water; and an anxious moment when it looked as if our Leader was going to have to retire hurt. Thankfully, under the watchful eye of the team medic, he managed to perform the Leki Back Scratch Manoeuvre, and so got the go-ahead. Dr Frew didn´t even have to get his whisky flask out.

Cool canecas to close

During the after-walks refreshments, Rod boosted the kitty by adding €30, being the customary extra charge per head generated at the recent Equus Ourique walk.

Old writers never retire: they just lose the plot. (Anon.)

AWW 19.05.2010: Paderne Revisited or Sobriety Restored

Well, of course it couldn´t last, could it - the frivolity of the previous week´s walk, I mean? This Wednesday, the traditionalistic omens were unambiguous: the Field-Marshalls were back, in strength: AWW disciplines were to be restored: the walk was to be walked, properly and in full. And you could tell by the speed with which we set off (interrupted for only the briefest of moments by the Paderne morning rush-hour) that Business was Meant. But you could also understand, from the super scenery, why Hilke and Lindsey have been so keen for us to do their walk in the sunshine.

No, him with his back to the camera isn´t Stan

(click to enlarge)

Participants:

Leaders:Lindsey, Hilke.

Troops:Frank, David, John H., John O., Dina, Rod, Ingrid, Alex, Terry, Yves.

Dogs: Misty, Rusty, Bella, Shelley.

The Statistics (courtesy Ingrid), with those of the Paderne Walk on 14.04.2010 in brackets:

Total distance: 18.00 km (18.10 km)

Moving time: 3hrs 44min (3hrs 56min)

Total time: 4hrs 41min (4hrs 40min)

Moving avg: 4.6kph (4.6kph)

Overall avg: 3.7kph (3.9kph)

Total ascemt: 226m (282m)

Max elevation:228m (249m)

The Track:

for the traditional relief terrain view, the route having been very much the same as for the walk on 14.04 2010, please q.v. that blog; but for a refreshing new view, here it is in street map form (courtesy Richard):

The Leaders`Report:

"This time we were lucky: the sun was pouring down instead of the rain. But alas: there are as many Walkers who fear the sun as there are those who fear the rain. We were exactly the same number as in our walk in the rain (even if not the same people).
We started off in high spirits with Ingrid alluding to the previous walk and breaking out into laughter, but John H. immediately subdued her saying that this was a serious walk. ( We do wonder what the walk last week was like). Everybody enjoyed the good weather and we walked on rather fast. (Ed. You can say that again.) OK......fast. After leaving Paderne and climbing to the ridge, the views to the sea and to the north were spectacular.

"The long stretch of path which gave us “high heels” the last time – due to the mud on our boots - was now a dry, dusty path with flowers and very green after all the rain. The dogs started panting as it was getting hotter, but it was still some time to go before lunch, when we would arrive at the river Algibre. So the loving owners had to supply them with some water while the rest of us sought such shade as there was.

A particularly shady group

"When we finally reached our lunch spot, the dog owners did not like it, as we had not foreseen that it was difficult for the dogs to get to the water. So they went on and disappeared out of our sight without notifying us. Such disrespect had never been heard of before. But well, just two ladies leading?!
and another shady gathering


Ah! rural Algarve at its best.......just a man and his dog

"When we reached the river crossing, we did not have to take the detour to the bridge, the water level was low enough to cross. Different methods were tried: after knowing that we had still about an hour to go, some decided to wade across with shoes and trousers on, one used the renowned Lagos lixo bags, others took off boots and socks and enjoyed the glorious coolness of the water. It still had a strong current and took away one of Alex’s pink flip-flops, which Yves gallantly recovered (boots and socks on). He was also the gentleman who helped Ingrid across the current (whoever said that only the British could be real gentlemen?).

Yves lends a hand

Down by the riverside

Keep right on to the end of the road

"Rather hot and thirsty we finally arrived back at the cars (and the bar) with some considering that the walking season might come to an end soon if the temperatures continued like this – it was well into the 30’s.
"Rather hot and thirsty"

"On a different subject but of interest to all I think – there is a web site that shows the progress of the Icelandic ash which has affected all travellers. It is supplied by the met office. Open and click on the latest forecast. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/vaacuk_vag.html."

Meanwhile, back at the bar....

Our gallant gentleman lends a supporting hand again.

(Acknowledgements to Myriam who first spotted the potential of this particular perspective).

And now a reminder to those of us who were light-heartedly swanning around Bordeira a week or so ago that there are still some AWWs who take things seriously. You may have thought that Hilke and Rod were absent last time because they were up north sampling wine. Well, possibly that too, but that didn´t stop them from identifying new trig points, such as this one at the top of Evoramonte Castle. The AWW tradition is that if there is a trig point in view, go for it.You have been warned!

We mustn´t close without without mention of those AWWs who have recently been in the news. First of all, congratulations to Bob and Terry for their magnificent crossing of the Algarve Way in aid of charity. Here are some shots of them at the halfway mark near Silves on Saturday Ist May 2010:

and the press report of the successful conclusion to their trek:

And then there was this press report about our and David´s very own Dinah:

Spread the news, and do go to see the show.

And finally a return, by popular demand, of the AWW Blog Quiz.

This object was seen just outside Paderne last Wednesday:-

Obviously a marker stone of some sort, but the question is
" What does the 23 refer to"?

Answers, on a postcard please, to Rod Frew.

AWW 12-05-2010: Five Have Fun In Bordeira

"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of." (Jane Austen)

A distinctly end-of-term mood prevailed when the five of us met at Bordeira where, unfazed by the lack of coffee and without any senior Field-Marshall to impose customary discipline, we could relax in comfort for the Starters` photo.

(Click to enlarge)

Famous Five: Chris, Ian S, John H, Ingrid and Janet

Happy dogs: Tiggy and Maddie

The Statistics (courtesy Ingrid)

total distance: 11.6km
moving time: 2hrs.48min
total time: 3hrs.42min
moving avg: 4.1kph
overall avg: 3.1kph
total ascent: 147m
max elevation:142m

The Track



Thanks are due to our Leader for the day, who excelled in sending in the following Report despite being caught up that evening in the social whirl that is Lagos and before rushing off the next morning to attend to grandfatherly chores in Edinburgh.


"FIVE HAVE FUN IN BORDEIRA

or how to enjoy a shorter walk without any serious hills.

"The answer is to follow river valleys, as people have done for
centuries and ignore any ascents other than those essential to pass
from one valley to another. This walk had a slightly unfortunate start when
the Famous Five gathered at Cafe Pacheco in Bordeira at the appointed
time. Having been advised by a local " that the cafe opened when the
man with the key had arrived " it soon became apparent the he hadn't
been seen for some time and judging by the state of the interior of
the cafe wouldn't be returning in the immediate future. Undeterred,
the small group set off along the beautiful valley beside the Ribeira
Bordeira with adjacent fields of wildflowers.

By a babbling brook

Giant cistus


"The track was good and level and in no time at all we had reached the top of a long but gentle incline that took us across the main Alejezur road and towards the West Coast.



"After admiring the beautiful cliff top views to the sea, wild flowers aplenty, a thick grey rain cloud was observed to be rolling in from the sea, a common occurrence on the West Coast.

Apparition in antique Rohan (circa 1971)

"Fortunately the rain soon headed off in the direction of
Sagres and raingear was dispensed with. Following a gentle descent to
the Vale da Alfambra, walking on recently restored tracks beside an
attractive artificial lake, we soon arrived at the junction with the
infamous Bordeira Bee Run track.


Still waters



"Although no aggressive bees were in evidence, some serious looking hills were. By now Ian's limping gait was starting to cause him some pain, so a unanimous decision was
taken to severely curtail the proposed 22km walk and continue to
stroll along level paths towards the Bordeira river. The scenery was
stunning, enhanced by thrilling birdsong and ever greener pastures.





"Nearing the end of the walk a decision was taken to have a short lunch stop whilst still admiring the attractive rural scene at Bordalate.

Lunch Hill


" Given the absence of any activity in the village of
Bordeira we then proceeded to Carrapateira where the relaxed five
enjoyed a welcome drink or two in the usual cafe. The GPS statistics
won't do this walk justice, although if we include the return trip
from Bordeira to Carrapateira the overall distance looks reasonable.


"We could fudge the statistics like this......."


"Everyone present expressed their enjoyment of a gentle and less
strenuous walk for a change, although it is probable that the more
energetic absentees wouldn't have. Good fun was had by all, sorry
that most of you missed it for one good reason or another."


At Carrapateira, Ian S., among others, was relieved to see fresh stocks arrive just in the nick of time


and we meditated on the true meaning of happiness.

That went down well

"Unquestionably, it is possible to do without happiness: it is done involuntarily by nineteen-twentieths of mankind." (John Stuart Mill - but he can´t have been serious, can he?)



"In Hollywood, if you don´t have happiness, you send out for it." (Rex Reed - who he?)