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.