WW meet Almargem - VIa Algarviana promo. Barranco do Velho - Salir. 29102006

The Men behind the 'Official' Via Algarviana', João Ministro (R) and Joaquim Mealha Costa (L) address the troops before the walk from Barranco do Velha to Salir.

The Bamboo Diagram for this stage of the Algarve Way can be found here.

As the first, under Maurice's leadership, to set out to define a walking route across the Algarve, the Algarve Wednesday Walkers, have an enormous interest in following the progress of the local Outdoor groups, Almargem and InLoco to formalise the (now) well-funded Via Algarviana. There was a reasonable turnout of WW's, with one of the originals, Myriam, who has completed the walk in both directions in 1998 and 1999, well to the fore.
Another first was that the WW's who met at Salir to arrange transport were LATE to the meeting, the majority of the Almargem Walkers being ready for the official departure as we arrived. A full enquiry has been held, and the total blame for this has been laid at the door of one Ian S., who spurned a lift from the well-informed Chief Blogger to make his own way to Salir, and did not appear at the selected RV (the cafe by the Supermarket) to proceed with the rest of the party. Desperate phone calls having been made, we set off at 0905 hours for Barranco do Velho arriving with barely enough time for the CB and Myriam to avail themselves of the facilities of the only open cafe before rushing to the churchyard for the inaugural address.
The walk itself was fairly routine and largely followed the (new) Algarve way pioneered by Terry and David, with a few small deviations which may yet be incorporated into David's masterwork. We certainly spotted enough 'Cistus' Waymarks along the way, indeed they were the only waymarks we encountered as Almargem have not yet got round to erecting their own, of which some 800 have been ordered.
A map of the track we followed can be accessed here
The pace was rather more leisurely than our usual, but with the much larger numbers involved and the 'disco' footwear of some of the more fashionable participants it was to be expected. Total distance was 13.3 km and we accomplished this in about 3 hours walking time, and about 4hrs 20 total.
I feel that we have strengthened the 'bridges' between ourselves and Almargem, and João Ministro was very welcoming, and expressed the desire to meet again to discuss various aspects of the route.