(or AWW WWW – Wet! Wet! Wet! or Why! Why! Why!)
This walk, which on a previous occasion had been billed by Mike as ‘Pilgwimps Way’ was definitely not for wimps in the extreme conditions (by Algarve standards) pertaining on this occasion. In previous seasons, the maxim had been that there were enough sunny days to go walking that we need not turn out when it was inclement. This season, the sunny days have been in the minority, so far (before long, no doubt, there will be cries that it is too hot to carry on) and our tolerance of the wet stuff has been somewhat raised! Thus it was, that on an extremely unpromising day in terms of getting one’s knees brown, that 14 members of the AWW turned out at Café Snack-Bar Gonçalves, mostly clad from top to toe in the finest and most fashionable wet-weather gear that their much reduced emoluments could provide.
I did say ‘mostly’. From one extreme to ………….
………..another!!
Of course certain members who had expensive hairdos or non-waterproof make-up, didn’t turn out!
Be Prepared!
Rain Maker: Mike
Wet Blankets: Terry M.: Andrew: Ian S.: Dina: John H.: Lindsey: Ian W.: Rod: Hedley: Frank: Paul: Tina: Myriam.
Water dogs: Nandi: Maddy.
Stats: Total Distance: 13.8 km; Moving Time: 3 hrs 27 min.; Total Time: 3 hrs 50 min; Moving Average: 4.0 km/hr; Overall Average: 3.6 km/hr; Total Ascent: 753 m.; Max Elev.: 228 m.
Tilley Count: Only 2!!
Note there was no lunch stop! (Click to enlarge)
The alternate view
Mike sent in this walk report, which he himself described as “my rather lame effort”, but I was not sure whether he was referring to an injury either he or Nandi had sustained!!
Walk statistics: Chief Blogger to complete. However, whatever he may say to the contrary, the leader maintains that he stuck to the announced parameters.
Café/Bar Goncalves in Pereira welcomed us for a pre-start bica and we set off on a wet and blustery walk from which some lay-abeds had opted out.
Waist-high cistus
A nice little climb out of Pereira opened up the lungs and we then set about pushing our way through undergrowth, fallen trees and other obstructions to reach an acceptable path.
One giant step for Lindsey
This took us on a series of ridge-top walks and then down to a valley water course containing a series of full dams. We reached Barranco do Milho trig point (509 ft) nicely on scheduled after 1 hour 30 minutes.
Not all posed for T.O.T.P.P. Name and shame them!
The advertised two cells of beehives proved no problem. Clearly bees find it difficult to fly whilst clutching umbrellas. Thereafter the walk continued on a good ridge-way path with views westwards towards the Barragem de Bravura and the finger that ends at Guena.
More secondary rain forest!
There was some dispute as to whether one of Rod’s walks trespassed on Mike’s territory or vice versa. So the leader drew a line in the dirt to demarcate respective territories. The walk continued with on and off showers before reaching Penascoso trig point (712 ft) from which excellent views could be obtained, even on a blustery day, of the surrounding countryside to the far distance.
The second of the day
Down again
On each descent there were queries as to whether it constituted the advertised ‘descent into hell’ but this was left to shortly before the finish near where an excellent view could be obtained of the new autodromo.
Very steep descent!
All descended carefully and without incident. Only in the final ten minutes of the walk did serious rain fall and we arrived back at Café/ Bar Goncalves quite wet and in need of medronhos, maceeiras and armaginhas.
The Medronho drinkers!
Damp and Happy!
CB’s Comment: A good test for our wet weather gear – and some was found wanting. Not too many hung around at the end longer than a quick drink and to consume the sandwiches that in the absence of a lunch stop, remained in the sodden rucksacks. One even dashed off without stopping for the usual convivial beer and post-walk analysis. We know who you are!!
The pictures cannot convey the rain which came in bands as the strong winds pushed the weather through. One plus was that the bees were all tucked up watching ‘Hive and away’, and also the numerous steep descents were slightly easier on this terrain, as we no longer had to contend with loose scree.
Proof that Mike had conscientiously performed a recce was found when he let out a cry of ‘Eureka’ and picked up from the path, the Bamboo diagrams he had dropped earlier in the week.
Not that they were much use now!
“Always plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.” Cushing, Richard C.
“The good rain, like a bad preacher, does not know when to leave off.” Emerson, Ralph Waldo
and now...
The AWW Prize for Sartorial Inelegance
Initial nominations have been of a suitably low standard.
No.1. Your sub-committee felt that these pedal oddities were suited more to a Turkish Bath-house in Budapest than to an AWW, but in the end had to disqualify the nomination because the anonymous wearer did not actually keep them on for the walk.
No.2. Truly, the Demise of the Tilley. The wearer's excuse for the green job was that raindrops kept getting through the mesh of his Tilley LTM6 AIRFLO (trademark registered ) (maximum weight 4 oz.). That never seemed to bother Butch Cassidy and his sidekick.
No.3
And a colour combination quite this garish hasn't been since since the disbandment of the Emperor Bokassa's Praetorian Guard in 1979.
Closing date for further nominations yet to be decided.
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