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.)