(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:
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