Day One – The Day of the Lost Boys.
Starting Line-up by the original marker-post, Alcoutim
A proposal generated in the white heat ( or perhaps the fuddled warmth) of a Christmas lunch finally came to fruition on a beautiful spring morning in Alcoutim. Sixteen walkers and three support drivers all arrived on time for an 8.30 departure on the first leg to Soudes, accompanied by three canine friends, two of whom started the walk. Benjie came along to give moral support.
After the traditional photo by the original starting-point near the Ribeira de Cadavais, (following early morning coffee in the town square, naturally), the epic began. Good progress was made in climbing the hill out of the Guadiana valley and on towards Corte Tabeliao, the first village en route. 
Leaderless in Corte Tabeliao
And then it got interesting. At the second major turning-point the leader made the cardinal error of not checking that all his party were within sight, and two members, so deep in conversation already, and so far in arrears after less than two kilometres that they did not see the turn, sailed blithely on, and would no doubt have ended somewhere near Monte Gordo had it not suddenly struck them that they were alone!!!!! The loss of more than ten per cent of the party (including the all-important Guardian of the Guinness) being reported to the leader, action had to be taken under the rules. He was saved from a long trip back along the route by a telephonic communication from Salir, informing him that the Lost Boys had made contact. I suspect that Terry Ames has still not stopped laughing.
The wonders of modern technology were then all employed to effect a rescue, and the cavalry, in the shape of Dinah and Mick, was dispatched to round up the strays and bring them to a designated point further along the trail. Luckily, Terry’s GPS woke up in time to inform him that his first statement of position was wrong, or the rescue mission might itself have been a disaster. Meanwhile, the main group had reached Corte Tabeliao, and were sunning themselves contentedly. A brisk walk along the tarmac to the junction with the old north road saw the group made whole again.
Lost Sheep with Collie
At this point Rosie, proving far too restless on her lead, and far too erratic to be allowed to go free, was handed back to Dinah. Her Algarve Way was over before it had really begun. Maddie, needless to say, soldiered on.
We had by this time started the practice, to be continued throughout almost the whole Way, of triangulatus non consummatus, or trig-point avoidance, which delighted some but frustrated others. (Actually, it’s a fiendish plot by the leader to drive Paul and Mike insane with GCWS. First person to offer the meaning of the acronym gets a free drink next week. ) Five were avoided on this first day.
No m’dears, that’s not a trig point.
The rest of this first stage saw no further alarms, and was undertaken in almost perfect conditions, warm sunshine with a wind at our backs and no great difficulties underfoot. Lunch was taken at Fonte Zambujo on a convenient wall. Maddie, as the sole remaining four-legs, was fully employed in hoovering up the discards from the rather chewy Portuguese bread in the packed lunches. The early breakfast at the hotel had proved beyond the capacity of the management to organise a fresh bread delivery.
O almoco secreto
Many comments were made by those visiting the far eastern boundaries of the Algarve for the first time about the difference in the terrain and the beauty of the wide open spaces and isolated villages. The spring flowers were not yet at their best, but the cistus was well advanced, and there was still enough water to provide pleasant relief at intervals. This was especially so at the Foupana river crossing towards the end of the day. Terry Ames’ party in January had waded knee-deep in freezing, rushing water, but by now the river was back to being no more than a benign meander, and for those who discarded their footwear it was a most refreshing experience. Others preferred the plastic bag method!
That’s the way to do it!
Pegs in Bags
They use the same shoe shop
The long climb out of the Foupana valley was rewarded by sight of the windmill at Soudes and the end of the trail for the day.
Is that all???
The excellent Mr Walters had filled the boot of his Big Blue Tank with cold beer, thus making up for the lack of a bar in the village. (Rumour has it that Mick’s new vehicle is secretly on test from the MoD, who are hoping to have it in service in Helmand by the autumn.)
‘Course, when I did it…..’
The early finish allowed for a leisurely drink and relax at the cafe in Alcoutim before a return to the hotel and several hours for recuperation before dinner. Rosie continued to build her reputation as a maverick by upending a table and dampening Chris with coffee, and the cameras clicked merrily as Myriam and Dinah recorded the event.
Good grief, I got them all back!
Not with that hat on, mate!
Well, he said he was from the MoD
The evening was very pleasant indeed. The exceedingly generous Mr O’Neill had imported a considerable quantity of his native beverage in honour of St. Patrick, and almost all members had responded to his request for The Wearing of the Green, albeit in some cases with a slight eccentricity. The leader responded to the occasion with a song which seemed to meet with approval, and Dinner Was Served. The meal was of good quality, and there followed at Mr Scott’s prompting a speech of thanks from the Senior Member. Ian’s subsequent effort to have the party mingle met with the now traditional response. Perhaps you should bring a guitar along, Ian, and try to persuade us it’s Musical Chairs?
And so to bed……although four dissolute wretches were observed glued to bar stools for some time after the rest had gone very properly to their rooms.
Cast of Characters:-
Sort-of in charge:- David
Foot Soldiers:
Mike, Paul , Myriam , Ian S., Tina , Chris , Antje , Andrew, Lindsey , Ingrid , Alex , Hilke , Ian W.
The Lost Boys:- John O’, Terry M.
The Cavalry:- Dinah , Marguerite , Mick
Four-footed friends:-
Maddie – Distinction
Benjie – Honourable mention
Rosie – 2 demerits.
Track of Stage 1 (click to enlarge)
Facts and figures, Day 1
Total Dist: 22.0 km
Moving Time: 4 hr 46 min
Total Time: 5 hr 50 min
Moving Average: 4.6 km/hr
Overall Average: 4.8 km/hr
Total Ascent : 727 m.
Max Elevation : 258 m.
Quotes for the day
David: - Michael wants to know what's going on. Ian, what's going on?
Ian:- I don't know. What's going on, Paul?
From The Lost Boys, 1987. (only some of the names have been changed)
I'm not lost, they just moved my street.
Piper Perabo
Not all who wander are lost
J.R.R. Tolkien
I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.
Daniel Boone
CB’s Comments
Tilleys off to David and Dinah for great organisation and arranging the weather and temperature so perfectly. Let’s hope that can continue! These early stages of the Algarve Way are all the more enjoyable for those (most) of us who live West of central Algarve, as we rarely walk here, and the character of the landscape is wholly different.
A couple of things not covered:- at an early stream crossing, and while still groggy from the close-to-dawn start, Hilke caught her stick in a stepping stone and took a tumble. I must confess that I was sans camera on this rare occasion, as I had omitted to replace the data card in my camera despite meticulous packing. Alas the opportunity went as other camera persons went to her assistance rather than do their job and record the affair! She took it on the chin though, and apparently unharmed, removed her trouser lower legs, as if they had been a contributory factor!
As I said I was without camera for the first day, and it was just as well as I would never have got away with posing and taking the next photo, as Myriam did. This is the competition pic:-
Buns of Steel!! (Dare I say it “Click to enlarge!!”)
The question, I am asking, is “What make of shorts are these?”, although those with fevered imaginations can no doubt think of their own questions!
The evening festivities, on St Patrick’s Day were very enjoyable.
The Guinness Tilley – getting a bit blurry!
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. Nietzsche, Friedrich
3 comments:
I was very lucky to get away with tumbling into the river without a photo having been taken. But as I enjoy reading the blog very much, I would have taken it valiantly had anyone done so.
Thanks again to David for a fascinating walk and thanks to Paul for another entertaining blog.
Hilke
Yes, they were 2 very enjoyable days. Thanks to David.
To answer Paul's questions: I cannot tell what make the shorts are, but probably all of them were made in China! I also know were modelling them!
Fellow walkers, thank you all for such a great walk.
I enjoyed the scenery very much. I took a lot of pictures, and therefore, fell behind a lot, which was very tiring, but well worth it.
Of course, some of the pictures made it into the blog which made it even better. Thank you for all of the fine blogs!
Ingrid
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