It was to have been the ‘best kept secret’ but as Rod was leaving for England on Friday, and had plenty to do, Ian S. dropped a strong hint that he ‘really ought attend’ this week’s walk, so that our surprise (pre) Birthday Party would have a subject!
Yes he is due to reach his ‘three score and ten’ in a remarkably active state on the 18th, and as one of the earliest founder members of the AWW, a little ceremony was planned with the great cooperation of Dona Aldina, of Casa Pacheco in Romeiras who kindly allowed us to set up tables and bring in our own food and wine after the planned walk.
Rod (and sporran) at almost 70!
The most amazing thing was that the occasion was blessed with the return of the Algarvian sunshine and brilliant blue skies – the first real day of Spring – which we have sorely missed over the past couple of months.
More about the celebration later – first the walk.
Track of the walk – click to enlarge
Leader: Paul
Partygoers: Rod, Ian S., John H, David, Hilke, Ian W. Hedley, Lindsey, Chris, John O, Val, Tina, Alex, Dina, Frank, Ingrid.
Party Support: Myriam, Mike, Marguerite, Jyll, Dinah, Antje, Diane.
Party Poopers: Maddy, Sambo, Tiggy, Rosie (on probation)
Stats: Total Distance: 12.2 km; Total Time: 3 hours; Moving time: 2 hrs 45 min.; Moving Average 4.4 km/hr; Overall Average: 4.0 km/hr; Total Ascent: 333 metres; Max Elev.: 363 metres.
Start pic (thanks Dinah)
This walk was yet another variation on the Romeiras walks, this time tailored to return to the Casa Pacheco by about 1 pm. We started a bit late, due to the ‘just in time’ arrivals of David and Dina, who had taken my suggestion of 9 km from the Barragem turning to Romeiras rather too literally, and had almost turned round when David shot past! All right – it is a bit more!
The sun had brought out the ladies – after last week’s rain had reduced their numbers to one – Val – who had just arrived from UK and thought it was fine. Not a set of gaiters in view, and the first mild slope resulted in the doffing of some of the sweaters or fleeces.
Only one river – crossed without incident!
The track was still very clear after the efforts of the JCB’s in clearing the slopes above, which had now been replanted with young eucalyptus, although the recent wet weather was causing the undergrowth of cistus and brambles to grow like wildfire.
On reaching the top near the Romeiras road, I threw in a little loop up to a viewpoint – just so we weren’t back too early!
Top of climb with Foia behind
The views from the top were magnificent with both the west and south coasts visible, along with about 70 wind turbines to the west and 5 behind on Foia.
Blue blue sky
Back down to the road, a short stretch of tarmac and we turned down to Loiro and Azena at the bottom of the valley to the east of the road.
We arrived back just after 1 pm., John dancing in first with a lady on each arm!
The ladies, supervised by Mike, who was still recovering from the chestikoff that has excluded him for the past couple of weeks, had done a great job with the preparations and snacks, and the beer and wine was soon flowing.
The Birthday Boy cuts the cake, made by Antje
Myriam gives Rod some stick!
Our lips are sealed – or was the cake sticky!!
Mike gave an eulogy, which was well received, and Rod for once was almost lost for words, especially when John produced a fine bottle of Glenmorangie as a further gift.
After the pleasantries we all moved out into the sun for the feast – and of course the obligatory Blog Group photo!
Second effort with the timer settings!
Health food!
Rod is interviewed about his performance as a banker
and is measured up (rather too enthusiastically) by Myriam for his new Chippendales sporran!
Where are the stirrups then?
It was a very agreeable occasion with the combination of a good walk, good company and wonderful weather.
As usual, we were the last to leave, with Ian and Marguerite, and tragically, we ran out of petrol just outside Odiaxere. (Faulty gauge!) Luckily a frantic phone call to Chris resulted in a mercy dash with a 5 litre can of petrol. We survived dying of thirst as luckily we had a reserve bottle of Quinta de Esperança for just such an emergency and a handy bus shelter to preserve us from the scorching sun.
Ian deciding whether to go for help (and find somewhere that sold beer!)
Before Ian could reach the bar in Odiaxere, Chris arrived and the Berlingo was restored.
Could be a second career with the AA (I mean the Motoring organisation!)
A great day and only the as yet unrealised defeat of the England football team by Spain could cause a cloud later in the evening. I dare not think about England v Wales in the 6 Nations this Saturday!
The way I see it, you should live everyday like it's your birthday. Hilton, Paris
Of course a video was taken of the presentation, but regrettably Mike’s speech consumed too many megabytes to be uploaded. Here is the first part however.
Below are a few additional photos courtesy of John.
CB marshals his troops for photo opportunity.
David wonders should he switch to Scotch!
A sunny setting for lunch
The McFrew of That Ilk!
John O’ with the Orange and the Green!
With the ‘Patroa of Casa Pacheco’, Dona Aldina
No comments:
Post a Comment