AWW 20.05 2009 – Foray from the Foz

(Thanks to David for the title!)

It promised to be a hot day for Ian W.’s shorter walk from the Foz, which the last time we attempted it (see here) was in driving rain, and had been cut short by mutual agreement. Myriam and I had landed at Faro late the previous evening from the Green and Pleasant Land, and she had been so keen to resume the conversations she left off on Day 6 of the Algarve Way, and to re-establish her role as Chief Paparazzi, that I was denied the pleasure of a leisurely re-acclimatisation, and feebly protesting, found myself outside the locked door of the Foz at 5 to 9, craving for caffeine!

In her element!!

Happily the owner turned up about 10 minutes later and fired up the coffee machine as the Walkers arrived in dribs and drabs and bouts of indecision as to where to park!

Despite the ACB, the ADCB and the first ADCFB (Assistant Deputy Chief Female Blogger) being present, all stepped back one pace swiftly when volunteers were called for, leaving me to rediscover the delights of writing this Blog. It is really encouraging though, that during the crossing of the Algarve Way, and my 5 week absence, that The Blog has not missed a beat, and the Leaders have provided comprehensive reports, and David has compiled the same. Ingrid is now well versed in recording tracks and taking arty pix as well as making prolific comments, and John always contrives to be in the right place at the right time with his trusty Sony! The downside with having all the creative talent on this walk is that the selection of illustrative photos becomes much more difficult! This was particularly true at the start, where despite 3 photographers trying, there was not a single picture with all (except the photographer) present or looking at the camera, and this was the best of the bunch, and had the virtue of recording the cameo appearance of Ian S. and Maddy.

12 out of 16 wasn’t too bad!

Leader: Ian W.

Led: Rod; Janet; Chris; Antje; Yves; John O’; Frank; David; Paul; Myriam; John H.; Ian S. (part-time) ; Ingrid; Hilke; Dina.

On Lead; Sam, Tiggy, Misty, Maddy (part-time)

Some fine ‘squiggles’ after lunch! (Click to enlarge)

Stats: Total Distance: 13.9 km; Moving Time: 3 hrs 23 min; Total Time: 4 hrs 15 min.; Moving Avg.: 4.1 km/hr; Overall Avg.: 3.3 km/hr; Total Ascent: 445 m.; Max Elevation: 233 m.

Here is Ian W.’s able report:-

16 two legged and 4 four legged walkers gathered at the Foz before 9.30 for the traditional photo op. After a few walks with only the deputy assistant paparazzi, we had the full complement of Myriam, John H and Ingrid all with cameras ready to click away. Myriam and Paul had made the supreme effort to be there, having touched down at Faro the previous evening. We were honoured also to welcome the return of Maddy, who seemed in good shape and ready to roll. Everybody commented that the weather seemed to have changed and that summer had arrived. Conversation was brisk as we set off down the side of the Ribeiro de Banho, many of the walkers having not seen each other for weeks or even months. It was observed by one wag, who shall remain nameless, that some walkers were not very good at walking and talking at the same time!

After about 15 minutes, we gathered at the bottom of the first hill, where at least one walker asked if that was where we were having lunch. Not long after we reached the first river crossing, which we were unable to cross when we tried this walk in February. Paul didn't notice that there was water to cross at all this time.

The Leader does a recce – or is he looking for Ian S. and Maddy?

From here, the track climbed gently to the ridge where we found a very welcome cool breeze and one walker and dog missing. It seemed that Maddy found the going too tough (or was it her owner?) on her first outing since she was poisoned, and they retreated to the cool of the Foz for a welcome drink. The rest of us soldiered on, as the sun and the temperature rose and the heads dropped.

Mud - larks

The dogs took every opportunity to lie in any water they could find and there were a few of us who envied them. After about 2 1/2 hours we found a shady spot under some pine trees for an early lunch…….

…….. before fighting our way through brambles and other scratchy things down to the second river crossing. This turned out to be a bit of an obstacle course with first the steep bank to negotiate and then more brambles.

When we reached the open road beside the Medronho Man's house he explained the way we should have come for an easy river crossing and no brambles. Next time maybe!

John in classic pose while Dina gets directions!

Anyone for a refreshing shower?

By the time we got to the last hill, the troops were pretty revolting, and we went round the hill to avoid a mutiny.

Lucky it wasn’t three days later!

Walking to Longevity!!

The return climb up the Ribeiro de Banho seemed twice as long as it was on the way down, but we all made it and were welcomed by Maddie and Ian, who claimed he had been drinking tea and coca-cola to pass the time.

Paul was noted to have a big smile on his face when the Foz produced some cold Sagres Bohemia, while the rest of us were just pleased to get out of the sun.

CB’s comment:

Oh the pleasures of a cold Bohemia after a good hot walk! The Leader was accurate with his estimated distance, and despite a few temporary uncertainties, which were put down to ‘new growth’ we only endured a moderate amount of sticky cistus and thorny brambles, and the shorts wearers, notably Antje, Ingrid and Hilke only suffered minor lacerations. Fortunately neither Mike nor Ian S. were there to donate blood!

It was a great shame that Maddy is obviously still suffering from the after-effects of the poison back at the end of March. Let’s hope that she gets fit soon, as Ian S. would hate to have to turn back and wait at the bar after walking for only half an hour!

Some of the group are joining Rod’s expedition to Aracena next week, and I am not sure if there will be an alternative WW on Wednesday 27th.

Already there are some noises about ‘End of Season’, which seem to come earlier each year. We really need to build up the kitty if we are to have a decent party this year, so what better way than some hot and thirsty walks finishing at a cheap bar! Perhaps an earlier start and some coastal walks would enable us to continue a little longer, but it is up to the individual of course. Please make your opinions known.

Rest not. Life is sweeping by; go and dare before you die. Something mighty and sublime, leave behind to conquer time. Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von

Postscript:

At the second river crossing, with Yves toujours le gentilhomme; even so, we did it the hard way:


And Antje proved to be right when the Medronho Man showed us how we could have done it the easy way:

AWW UK Branch- Visit to Maurice and Esme

During our recent trip to UK, Myriam took the opportunity to arrange a visit to Maurice and Esme in Angmering. 

     Terry M.,  Hedley and Joy were all in UK at the time and were able to attend. Simone, who walked with the group some years ago, lives not too far from Maurice, and also joined us for lunch at a very nice pub on the banks of the River Arun.

Here are a few pictures taken on the day.

 

It was a very pleasant lunch, and much reminiscence ensued.  At the end Esme and Maurice very kindly and firmly insisted on footing the bill, and would brook no dissent.  Thank you very much and we wish them both all the best.  They would always be pleased to see old friends from the Algarve. 

Maurice and Esme asked us to send their love and best wishes to all their old friends and fellow walkers here in the Algarve and abroad.  Maurice enjoys reading the blog and is immensely proud of the way that the group he founded is still flourishing, and especially that his Algarve Way has been successfully established and refined and followed by so many walkers.

Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.    Bacon, Francis

AWW 13th May 2009: The Pebble Fish Walk

13th May 2009.  The Pebble Fish Walk.
A most refreshing change from the usual Wednesday treks, as we wandered our way across the flatlands of the Alvor estuary, led by Elaine and Stan. Here is Elaine’s account of our doings:
 We were 13  (Elaine & Stan, David L, Chris and Antje, Ingrid John O', Yves, Ian W,  Dina, Lindsey, David and Julie, on the walk plus 2 dogs (Tiggy and Sam)  but we were nearly only 11 as David L and Lindsey got very lost on the way - apologies if it was the directions - but Alvor is notoriously difficult to drive through. 

It’s the one on the right!
The first part of the walk was along the beach towards Lagos to the rock lined entry to Alvor harbour. We then walked along the estuary side back into Alvor harbour with lovely views up the river estuary past Mexilhoeira to Monchique and of the area 'Quinta da Rocha', now closed to us for walking by fences.

Sam wasn’t always in trouble

What price your trig points now????
Next we walked along the 'Riberinha' area by the harbour and followed the walkway beyond until it ended.  Now we had our first ascent up on to the cliff above the river estuary (pathetic in terms of normal Wed walk  climbs!) We followed the cliff path until it dropped down to a barragem which we crossed and turned left on to a raised path above the river.
  You can do it, John O’ !
We followed it, spotting some black winged stilts and egrets and trying to avoid the 2 very muddy dogs all the way to the railway line.  We crossed this and made our way to the EN125 which we had to walk along for about 300m, then off again through the edge of Figueira crossing the railway line again.

Apparently, it’s due a week on Tuesday.
We followed a cross country track which eventually led us to another raised path next to the dammed river.  We spotted quite large fish, herons, little terns but didn't see the spoonbills which we had seen when reccying - I think they had fled for peace and quiet to the other side of the lake.   We reached the barragem again and then after a short detour inland around the hill we climbed gently up on to the cliff again to enjoy fabulous views of the river mouth with yachts dotted under a blue sky - gosh I'm getting quite lyrical, as a contrast to Ian W who declared it was 'quite a nice view' .

Where are all the hills, then?

We finished the walk with a drink at one of the cafes on the riberinha esplanade.

And then she said, ‘Uma bica – cinco euros’  !
 Stats:
Total distance: 16 km
Moving average: 4.5 km/hr
Overall average: 3.6 km/hr
Total time: 4 hr 24 min
Moving time: 3 hr 32 min
Stopped time: 51 min 31 sec.
Total ascent 199 m
Max elevation: 29 m

ADCB’s Comments:
Lost indeed! I was about 200 metres from the meeting-point when Stan rounded me up – but I had no idea I was so close!
Anyway, this was a very pleasant walk indeed, new territory for me, and a small glimpse of what is at stake in the continuing struggle to preserve the remaining wild areas of the south coast. I noted in the press this week that the owners of Quinta da Rocha have been fined €16,000 for one instance of law-breaking, and that five more are in the pipeline. Let’s hope that they are sufficiently penalised to make them think again about their plans.

What we stand to lose……
Two incidents during the walk stand out in the memory, apart from the wonderful views and the interesting wildlife. The first is of Dina being literally swept off her feet by an exuberant Sam, being happily restored to the vertical no worse for her tumble. Sam had an interesting day all round, getting under Ian W’s feet on the narrow path along the dykes, much to that gentleman’s displeasure, and slipping his collar almost at the end to rub noses – thankfully nothing more violent – with a dalmatian.
The second is more of an observation. On the return path above the river, splashes were seen in the water at regular intervals, and earnest conversations took place concerning the nature of the fish that could make such loud and obvious exits and entries without actually being seen. Your  ADCB, stopping to retie his shoelace and obey the call of nature saw, as he was catching up the group, our very own favourite Frog chucking pebbles into the water. The latter then rejoined the group himself and continued the discussion about fishy splashes with a look of total innocence on his Gallic fizog. You just can’t trust ‘em, you know!!!

Who me?  Not guilty, Your Honour!!!!
Quote of the Week:
‘Allons, c’est une revolte?’
‘Non Sire, ce n’est qu’une plaisanterie.’
(Not quite as the original conversation.)

AWW 6th May 2009.: Pigs and Pink Flesh

Pigs and Pink Flesh
Present: ,  Dina, Hilke Lindsey, Ingrid, Tina, Frank, John and leader Antje
Dogs:    Sambo and Tiggy
Stats:
Distance  16.4 km
Moving speed"  4.5 km/hr
Overall speed    3.7 km/hr
Overall time    4 hours, 25 mins
Moving time 3 hours 40 mins
Total ascent  334 metres
Maximum elevation      120 metres 
Trig points      2


 

All 8 of us

  8 Walkers assembled at the cafe opposite the market in Carrapateira. Not a cloud in sight and the promise of summer definitely in the air. We left a little late, at  09.37hrs, and that set the tone for a leisurely and convivial walk.
We climbed up to the obligatory trig-point (CB take note) which now seems to have been adopted by two large, but not so fierce dogs. 

Trig point one

From there the track wound itself downhill  to  join a  a shady country road and an overgrown stream, the latter much appreciated by the dogs.

Posing

We passed the enclosure of the black pigs, much excitement for Sambo, and soon after turned right  to climb a hill and head for Herdade de Becao, a horse riding establishment. We passed by several nice looking horses , and soon after changed direction and headed towards the sea. Those who had done this walk previously were pleased to note that a little glade of pines tree,  previously spoilt by much dumped rubbish, had been cleaned up.
After we had crossed the N 268 the path petered out a bit and we went over a bit of rough ground to avoid the tarmaced road.  On reaching the sea it was universally decided to take an early lunch as the views from the promontory were spectacular.

Lunch with a view

 
Not quite so spectacular were the views of the chap who had felt secure  enough in a little niche by the dunes  to bare all.
 

John O’ did he wander off again?

The remainder of the walk followed the coast  until we turned in towards Carrapateira.  To avoid too much  road-walking we engaged in a bit of dune bashing and were awarded with views of some late wildflowers.

Any water left for Tiggy and Sam?

A thank you to Ingrid, who not only took the photographs but also carried her GPS  and for David who is posting this blog.
 

Deserved cool drinks

ADCB’s comments:-

Good to see that things are returning to normal as far as recording and photography are concerned. I had visions of the CB, motorhome, Myriam and all, hot-wheeling it back here to the rescue. It’s OK, Paul, Keswick can have you for another couple of weeks. One point, however, I must call into question. Since when did trig-points become obligatory once again? I thought I had effectively broken that pernicious habit once and for all on the AW. Such is the fate of revolutionaries.  Miss a key meeting and les enfants terribles will take over.
Finally, I must pay a huge tribute to John O’ and Frank, who by their presence avoided that most scary of all WW scenarios – an all female walk.  We’ll have to do better than this, chaps!
Incidentally, the captions on the photos this week are all Ingrid’s own work – the editing pencil stayed in the drawer.

For Paul... two trig points on a short walk!

Quote  of the week:

Being naked approaches being revolutionary; going barefoot is mere populism.  John Updike.
(Moral for WWs:- throw away your trousers, but keep your boots on!)