Algarve Way 2009: Day 3 - 24.03.2009

Ribeira to Barranco do Velho

The track of Day 3.

Stats:

Total Distance: 27 km; Moving Time: 6 hrs; Total Time: 7 hrs; Moving Average 4.5 km/hr; Overall Average: 3.8 km/hr

Total Ascent: 1129 m.; Max Elevation: 509 m.

An overcast start

Director: David

Cast: Ian S., Mike, Terry M., Chris, Antje, Ingrid, Paul, Myriam, Lindsey, Tina, Hilke, Alex.

Extras: Maddy,

Support: Marg, Mick, Terry A, Dinah

A slight change in personnel from Days 1 and 2. Ian W., Andrew and John O’ had better things to do, but the hard core were still there.

The inspirational suggestion that writing the text for the blog should be shared was successful in that Chris ‘volunteered’ for Day 3 and Hilke for Day 4.

Words by Chris below:-

THE LADIES LAMENT or THE NEVER ENDING HILLS

Getting ready for the drive to the start

A slightly reduced band of enthusiastic Algarve Way walkers gathered at the Tia Bia in Barranco do Velho to start the third stage of the Algarve Way, a section known to be particularly long and tough. The start was delayed slightly following a plaintive phone call from three ladies "Lost in Loule" . This news was received favourably by those seeking relief and the ardent bica drinkers. Once everyone had arrived, the convoy to the start point at Ribeiro set off, a place familiar to all those participating the previous week. Unfortunately the vehicle driven by last weeks "Good Shepherd" took a wrong turn and headed off towards Beja. The fact that this car also carried one of last weeks "Lost Boys" together with a lady well known for her sense of direction gave some cause for concern. Although armed with at least one GPS it appeared that coordinates of the start point had not been entered. There then followed a series of phone calls from mobile phones with with poor reception when the appropriate numbers were communicated, having been repeated several times by those that knew. Finally the missing members of the group arrived and the coffee addicts could then be extracted from yet another cafe to which they had retreated in the meantime.

The walk therefore commenced some 45 minutes later than scheduled, and the thirteen participants finally set off to tackle the first stiff ascent of the day.

At this point is was noted that the ladies outnumbered the men (an AWW's first ?), and provision had then to be made for more disrobing stops than usual.

The 7 to 6 majority and a multi-use pole!

One of the minority – seeing no evil!

The weather had started cold and damp, soon to become warm and humid and finally hot and sunny. Given the distance anticipated, a steady pace had to be maintained, despite the seemingly continuous uphill grinds at frequent intervals.

Few complaints were heard, although the rate of climb was becoming severe.

Still smiling after a vigorous climb

At the lunch stop (near Castelao) we were able to view the winding trail already covered, and see what was ahead, more of the same with what appeared to be continual uphill gradients.

While lunching, a Freguesia de Cachopo bus arrived and disgorged a number of senior ladies who greeted us and wandered back to their homes in the village. Apparently the bus was not able to turn round any nearer to the village, so they were obliged to walk.

The first hill climb after lunch was considered by the Leader to be a "bit of a pig", and it did indeed turn out to be just that, even when compared to the sows and piglets tackled previously.

It looked like we were in for a paddle….but

Soon we were walking on water!

With the mirage of Barranco do Velho shimmering in the distance, the effect of the virtually continuous climbs and the unrelenting sunshine started to have an impact, not least upon your scribe for whom the remainder of the walk was undertaken in a haze of dehydration not experienced previously.

There was an afternoon tea stop in Parizes……..

….and we met a couple of English walkers doing PR4

Which given the distance, altitude gained and the climatic conditions was hardly surprising.

Resting at the top of yet another long hill

Few notable events were recorded, other than the great sense of achievement felt by all , as were the serious efforts made to address the need to rehydrate in the Tia Bia bar afterwards.

It’s nice when you stop!

CB doing the sums!

Solving of the meaning of the acronym GCWS (set by David in the Day 1 Blog) was finally achieved when Antje declared it to be Geo Cachers Withdrawal Syndrome, something which a number of AWW's appear to be suffering from, when not complaining about the apparent lack of trig points to be collected. Maybe TPWS will become a common complaint before the end of the Algarve Way is reached ?

Thanks Chris for getting the blog in, despite having to leave for England the day after the walk!

I have few things to add, apart from stressing that despite clawing back one of the kilometres David had lost on Day 2, coming in on 27 km rather than the 28 km estimate, this was really one of the toughest days on the Algarve Way.

The terrain, apart from being mostly up, was magnificent and afforded us many great views, and also being spring in the Algarve, there were new flowers in abundance. I am hoping Lindsey and Ingrid, who have both been photographing the vegetation, will between them, produce a short illustrated monograph on ‘The Spring Flowers of the Algarve Way’ – There’s the challenge!

The meal at the Tia Bia in the evening was fairly unmemorable apart from the lively company, most of whom had rallied a little after a tepid shower and a laydown, except for Myriam and I who dashed out to claim a nearby geocache near the Chapel, Ermida de Barranco do Velho.

Pre-prandial drinks

Myriam also did a bit of PR and got behind the bar with our hosts, Dona Maria do Carmo and Sr. Henrique.

Myriam at the Bar

Dining at Tia Bia

After dinner, Marg was called upon to use her professional training, with Myriam as interpreter, for one of the locals who had broken his arm the previous week, but was having trouble with his half-cast.

Henrique’s solution to amputate was met with much joviality, but fortunately he did not get his way!

And so to bed – early for most – ignoring the adage:-

Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o clock is a scoundrel. Johnson, Samuel

but I think a more appropriate quote is:-

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat to sleep on your bed at night, or a dog of some kind to act pleased when you come in. You ever notice how a hotel room feels so lifeless? Tyler, Anne