A ztimulating ztroll in the hillz and valleyz around Zambujal.
Ztrollerz: Paul, Antje, Chris, Tina, Ingrid, Lindsey, John H,
John O', Rod, Alex, Ian S, Janet, Frank, Dina, David.
Wooferz: Tiggy, Sam, Maddy and Rosie.
Preamble: The competition to identify the relevant 'Z' was won, approximately 30 seconds after publication, by Paul, - who else? - who wins two bottles of Sagres Bohemia Reserva.
Ready for 'Z'
The weather forecast had changed so many times over the preceding few days that no one was quite sure whether to expect sun or snow. In the event we got a small amount of drizzle, a lot of cloud and a few peeps of late sunshine - almost the opposite of the latest available information. This uncertainty did not deter any of those who had signed up from arriving, on time, at the Benafim roundabout, ready for action. Even Janet and Frank, who had been at the Penina Hotel (no, not overnight) 45 minutes earlier, managed to make the starting gate without penalty.
The group then decamped by car to the start-point at Cortinhola, and commenced the first leg to Zambujal, following the infant Arade down the valley. A stream which had grown somewhat since the recce was crossed, sadly without major incident.
We are getting too good at this
Form an orderly queue!
...a braver man than I....
At which point dizazter almozt ztruck. Rosie, on her first major Wednesday outing, had been doing the hoped-for doggie thing, following the pack and running from side to side. A scent too good to miss then took her up and away into the matos, and she disappeared for a good twenty minutes. Ian heroically climbed a hill to search, and leader DL walked back and forth along the road, crossing and recrossing a stream just deep enough to give him wet feet. Finally the wandering pooch returned, having apparently followed the scent of the group the wrong way back towards the start-point. A spell on the lead was her reward.
Rosie......... Rosie!!!
This near-calamity addled the leader to the extent that he forgot the way - along a tarmac road, no less - and a few more minutes were lost while the information he required found its way round the dead bits of his brain. Zambujal was reached without further difficulty, and the walk proceeded along the valley past orange groves blighted by the recent frosts.
Camouflaged Cat
Of a zudden, a Very Zteep Hill got in the way, and chatter was replaced by gruntz and sighz, but the view from the top was a fair reward. The inevitable descent followed, ending with a crossing of the Arade at some ztepping ztones thoughtfully laid by the leader. All managed the crossing, though few ended dry-shod - well, if I had wet feet, why shouldn't everyone else suffer?
I predict a wet foot
A second Very Steep Hill then reared up and attacked, forcing the leader to call for lunch at the top. Many were the cries of anguish as buttiez were downed and nutz crunched.
Where does he find 'em??
Those who can, sit.....
One zkin, two zkinz, three zkinz........
The return leg followed, taking in two undulating ridges, the first leading to the trig pillar Laje, overlooking Zambujal, where the traditional photo was taken - not before various fruitless attempts by Rod and Pole - sorry, Paul, to create a support for the latter's gorilla pod - who on earth thought up that name? Rosie, having had a second spell of freedom, proved too keen to wander and sniff, and was permanently enleashed.
With a smile and a throb....
After a further descent to the Zambujal road, the final ridge was attained by means of a further Very Steep, but Shorter, muddy climb, and all continued to the end. The leader's attempt to describe the shape of the walk as a balloon on a string attracted a few slightly caustic comments about deflation, and the fact that we were a couple of k over estimate was also the subject of some dark mutterings, but then the humidity was over 90%, so some fratching* amongst the kiddiez was to be expected.
Pull, Rosie - if they catch me, I'm dead.
The bar at Benafim was a welcome sight and the usual chat and relax was enjoyed by all. All were agreed that 'it was a good walk', but a steady undercurrent of 'it was a bugger as well' - I interpret, you understand - was also present. It is always interesting to observe the owners of bars we have not previously frequented, as they carefully and sometimes with difficulty, attempt to keep track of our group order for the conta. I think she got it right, but I'm sure she will be ready for us next time.
Nothing to it - going round again?
So, over to you, Ian - hope your injury heals quickly - good wishes to Myriam and Mike - bon voyage to Janet. Ate a proxima!
Glossary:- *fratching - an old Yorkshire expression meaning bickering or quarrelling.
Alternative representations of Z
Zulu
Taking the first footstep with a good thought the second with a good word and the third with a good deed I entered Paradise. Zoroaster.
Stats for this walk:
Total Distance: 17.8 km; Moving Time: 4 hr 26 min.; Total Time: 5 hr 23 min; Moving Average: 4.0 km/hr; Overall Average: 3.3km/hr; Total Ascent: 748 m.; Max Elev.: 392 m
Track of the walk (Click to enlarge)
CB's Quote:
Virtue craves a steep and thorny path. Montaigne, Michel Eyquem De
A set of videos of the heroic crossing of the Arade below!
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