Sta. (Tar)Macadamia, or the Blacktop Nutters Stroll.
Present:
Paul, Myriam, Ian S, Ian W, Janet, Ingrid, Lindsey, Yves, Serge (guest), Mike, Dina, Vitor, John O', David.
In spite of threats of rain earlier in the week, the day dawned bright and clear, and although clouds developed, there was never any real prospect of a wetting. Conditions were, in fact, almost ideal for the purpose. All gathered at the Por do Sol in Santa Margarida five minutes either side of the stated departure time, although there were casualties from the original starting line-up, with Rod, Alex and Hazel sending in sick notes. John H turned up simply to do the initial photo-shoot and promptly shot off again to minister to Hazel.
Orderly Starters
Leaders of the WWs can never remind themselves enough that however many times they have covered a given route, the unexpected can always happen, and paths can be missed. This week's leader re-learned this lesson twice. The initial rock-hop out along the Cerro da Cha was uneventful, save for the drone in the leader's ear from Paulo a Pe complaining about rocky paths and ankles. All appreciated as ever the view from the escarpment towards Messines and beyond, but the descent to the orchard was less successful. Having found his tenth and probably least convenient way down, DL expected to see at least some blood other than his own, but Mike having finally decided that no-one wants to become his blood brother, he was disappointed. This was slightly compensated for by Yves, who sat down unexpectedly on a patch of matos and took a barb or two in his derriere. Myriam appeared fascinated, as will be shown below.
Bloodless Brother
Pico Alto was attained without further mishap, and there followed a walk along the northern edge of the P.A. ridge in the shadow of the new wind turbines. These monsters, as ever, generated some discussion on the issue of renewables . It occurs to me that if the WWs were somehow able to collect all the heat energy produced by themselves on this topic, we might make a significant contribution to Portugal's carbon offset programme.
If we blow hard enough, will they turn?
Having diverted marginally in order to visit the Pico Alto trig and see the second View of the Day, the descent was made to the road below. The leader was able to persuade everyone, including I. S., that the bar at the base of the hill was in fact a mirage, and further progress was made. Turning onto the Conqueiros road, it appeared that the long-threatened blacktop coating had not yet been applied, but sadly it was soon discovered that work on this very project was underway further along the track. Not only that, but the tarmac continued down into the valley almost as far as Corchicas, and looks set to be extended. A new route must now be found.
They Don't Like It Up 'Em, Captain!
This Week It's a Rollover
Lunch was taken shortly after the turn away from Conqueiros. Yves located some of the vegetation piercing his person, but Myriam was not satisfied with a general description of 'bottom', and wanted more detail. Janet assisted in refining the terminology, and the crisis point passed. There were cries of 'too short, too short', but this was in reference to the length of the lunch break, and had nothing whatever to to do with Yves' nether regions.
What's All This About Bottoms?
Very good time was made along the Gaviao road to the tarmac near Casinha, where two members who shall be nameless decided that honour was satisfied, and took the direct route back to Sta M. The remaining dozen stouthearts turned slightly weary limbs towards the climb past Val Vigoria and up the steep hill to the Picota trig point, Ian S reminiscing fondly all the while about the even steeper ascent made to the same location three seasons ago.(There must be a Statute of Limitations on such awful recollections. No? Ah Me!)
Hell Hill
Hell, Yes!
From the wonderful view on Picota, the final stage of the walk was accomplished without incident, and the road-avoiding variation on the last ascent seemed to meet with approval. As did the Por do Sol, where there occurred an unexpected reunion with Maria, an ex-member of the group. Further investigation of Yves' complaint revealed that the affected area was 'still throbbing', but fortunately Myriam was now engaged in a heated argument with Paul about the translation of words from English to Mandarin. I shall never hear the name Nanking in quite the same way again. I do hope Lindsey does not end up in Tibet while following Myriam's directions.
After Six Sagres, it Doesn't Hurt a Bit!
Total Distance: 18.5 km; Moving Time: 4 hrs 21 min.; Total Time: 5hrs 27 min.; Moving Average: 4.3 km/hr; Overall Average 3.4 km/hr; Total ascent 497 m.; Max Elevation: 353m'It is the bottom that remembers; it faces the past,
whereas we advance inexorably into the future.'
Jeanloup Sieff
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