WW24.01.2007 Odelouca Odyssey
Starting at the Top - the 2nd Trig Point
I was hoping for some contribution from this week's Leader (or his Ghost Writer) but to date (Saturday afternoon) all I have are some excellent photos from John,(one of which is above), and the prospect of an afternoon's creative calumny. I know these are very busy people, not retired in my understanding of the word, so it is my duty to risk 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' while they attend to their 'high maintenance' home life.
Odelouca Odyssey: 16.7 km; 4 hr 40 total; 3 hr 50 moving.
Leader: Ian S.
Present: Elaine; Chris; Vitor; Dina; Gack; Rod; Paul; John
Tiggy; Archie; Pookie
A smaller turn out than is usual, but a quality field. Myriam has a painfully swollen knee, Stan was up a ladder directing his Eastern European WorkForce, Mike was doing his indentured labourer act in painting his son's house in UK (should be the other way round IMHO!), Lindsey was also in UK engaged on Grandmothering affairs; Terry A. has recently joined the ranks of the gainfully employed, and David was the latest victim of the 'Algarve Chestikoff' which has been doing the rounds; Ian W. and Antje were hobnobbing with Algarve Royalty in the Garden Society (or so they would have us believe!); Thyl is still a mystery; and the rest were probably discouraged by the prospect of being Blogged.
And so we gathered at 0930 in the forenoon at Café Ourique. Ian as the local Squire, has still not managed to exert his influence on the owner to open at 9am for pre-walk coffee, but as we were a tad late in setting off, Gack managed a quick Bica at about 0935. I had arrived at about 9, and not to be denied, detoured to Café Mira Rio for a meia de leite, which later I had to concede was a mistake. An early climb was a prospect, but Ian wisely spared us route one and we struggled up a slightly more gentle route to the first trig point, via one he had prepared earlier, with his trusty machête.
A little further on we were astonished at the site of the enormous electricity sub-station which had blossomed in a valley to the east of Porto de Lagos. I have marked the approximate location of this site on the Track map above, but you will have to enlarge it to see clearly.
The 'new' EDP sub-station.
Shortly after this after another small period of exertion, we paused for a rest, and a strange phenomenon occurred (see photo below). There was a short debate on whether it was an effect of the workings of a creative mind, or a continuation of the process whereby he had already burnt off most of his hair, or indeed whether the aliens that had taken over his body recently were making good their escape. Privately I was of the opinion that it was the failure to wear the correct official Tilley Head gear. You will need to enlarge the photo to perceive the full effect.
Smokey John and The Miracle!
Some distance after this, the true extent of Ian's recce became apparent, when he led the group along a nicely defined path near a reservoir. Certain members became slightly uneasy when water appeared on both sides - and ahead!! Undaunted our leader went on ahead, only to return a little shamefaced with the news that we probably wouldn't want to try fording the 50 metres of bottomless reservoir ahead! If you scroll back to the Track map above you can see our excursion down the 'Peninsula of No return? to the east of the large reservoir! However the situation was easily recovered by an about turn and a very pleasant stroll round the whole reservoir, marred at first only by two luminously leather clad outcasts from the recent Lisbon-Dakar rally on extremely noisy dirt bikes who tediously lapped the reservoir hoping to impress the unimpressable. I say at first because after another 30 minutes or so we were confronted by a stroppy employee of the consortium whose land we had unwittingly strayed into(!!), who had driven down to chase off the bikers, and who was delighted to have a group of estrangeiro walkers to confront. When Rod protested that we had not in fact passed any 'No Entry' or 'Private Property' signs the logical reply was that it was because his signs were constantly stolen! Rod queried how we were supposed to know it was private, and in another triumph of logic over reason, our Sheriff replied " Because I am telling you!" This was too much, and the Boundary Ranger hadn't reckoned on our party containing a leading human rights and rights of way duo of Vitor and Dina! They replied so convincingly to the hapless rangers challenge that we continued on our way without further ado,while Vitor and Dina continued to put our case. Eventually the poor man was convinced that he, himself was probably trespassing on our Right of Way!
Vitor and Dina confront the 'jobsworth'
Further round the reservoir path, Ian, who was a few paces ahead of the field in his role as leader, made an Important Archaeological Discovery. There on the path, possibly released by some seismic activity, lay an ancient Shepherd's Wand, probably of eastern European origin. It is thought that one or two examples of this intricate metalwork mounted on an ashen shaft were brought to Iberia by Emigré Belgian Adventurers, but this has yet to be confirmed, by our Chief Archaeologist, Mike who was absent through redecoration duties. I believe that this priceles item qualifies as Treasure Trove if not claimed within a Year and a Day, and as Finder, Ian will be entitled to auction it to the highest bidder. On his behalf I give notice that anyone who believes they may have Right or Proprietary Interest in this amazingly well-preserved artefact should contact Ian to open deliberations of the Board of Restitution.
Finders Keepers!
A close up view of the intricate metal work of this early example of Eastern European Outdoor Leisure equipment.
Note the Masonic Emblemage and Duck's Bill motif. Comments as to the significance of this ornamentation will be gratefully received.
After this triumph we climbed towards the scarp above the estuary into which the Odelouca flows, and discovered the precautions that the Boundary Ranger had taken to keep out undesirables in the shape of a rusty chain and some collapsed barbed wire. Ever the friend of the environment, Ian dispatched the barbed wire with a few snips of his trusty Colditz Brand wire cutters, and then enjoyed a swing on the chain assisted by the easily amused Gack!!
'Two Sticks sits on the fence'
Ian's prediction had been 16-18 kms for the walk, and his luck held as our sight seeing trip down the Peninsula had padded it out sufficiently to reach 16.7 km. During the post-walk discussion at Café Ourique. it was deemed to be a congenial and successful outing, although some doubts were expressed as to whether we should run the gauntlet of The Sheriff of Morgado de Arge again!
And so back at Café Ourique, a well earned beer in the sun - this was to have been the best day of the week weatherwise. Ian should have bought a EuroMillions ticket!
I was hoping for some contribution from this week's Leader (or his Ghost Writer) but to date (Saturday afternoon) all I have are some excellent photos from John,(one of which is above), and the prospect of an afternoon's creative calumny. I know these are very busy people, not retired in my understanding of the word, so it is my duty to risk 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' while they attend to their 'high maintenance' home life.
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Odelouca walk track in green
Odelouca Odyssey: 16.7 km; 4 hr 40 total; 3 hr 50 moving.
Leader: Ian S.
Present: Elaine; Chris; Vitor; Dina; Gack; Rod; Paul; John
Tiggy; Archie; Pookie
A smaller turn out than is usual, but a quality field. Myriam has a painfully swollen knee, Stan was up a ladder directing his Eastern European WorkForce, Mike was doing his indentured labourer act in painting his son's house in UK (should be the other way round IMHO!), Lindsey was also in UK engaged on Grandmothering affairs; Terry A. has recently joined the ranks of the gainfully employed, and David was the latest victim of the 'Algarve Chestikoff' which has been doing the rounds; Ian W. and Antje were hobnobbing with Algarve Royalty in the Garden Society (or so they would have us believe!); Thyl is still a mystery; and the rest were probably discouraged by the prospect of being Blogged.
And so we gathered at 0930 in the forenoon at Café Ourique. Ian as the local Squire, has still not managed to exert his influence on the owner to open at 9am for pre-walk coffee, but as we were a tad late in setting off, Gack managed a quick Bica at about 0935. I had arrived at about 9, and not to be denied, detoured to Café Mira Rio for a meia de leite, which later I had to concede was a mistake. An early climb was a prospect, but Ian wisely spared us route one and we struggled up a slightly more gentle route to the first trig point, via one he had prepared earlier, with his trusty machête.
A little further on we were astonished at the site of the enormous electricity sub-station which had blossomed in a valley to the east of Porto de Lagos. I have marked the approximate location of this site on the Track map above, but you will have to enlarge it to see clearly.
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Shortly after this after another small period of exertion, we paused for a rest, and a strange phenomenon occurred (see photo below). There was a short debate on whether it was an effect of the workings of a creative mind, or a continuation of the process whereby he had already burnt off most of his hair, or indeed whether the aliens that had taken over his body recently were making good their escape. Privately I was of the opinion that it was the failure to wear the correct official Tilley Head gear. You will need to enlarge the photo to perceive the full effect.
 |
Some distance after this, the true extent of Ian's recce became apparent, when he led the group along a nicely defined path near a reservoir. Certain members became slightly uneasy when water appeared on both sides - and ahead!! Undaunted our leader went on ahead, only to return a little shamefaced with the news that we probably wouldn't want to try fording the 50 metres of bottomless reservoir ahead! If you scroll back to the Track map above you can see our excursion down the 'Peninsula of No return? to the east of the large reservoir! However the situation was easily recovered by an about turn and a very pleasant stroll round the whole reservoir, marred at first only by two luminously leather clad outcasts from the recent Lisbon-Dakar rally on extremely noisy dirt bikes who tediously lapped the reservoir hoping to impress the unimpressable. I say at first because after another 30 minutes or so we were confronted by a stroppy employee of the consortium whose land we had unwittingly strayed into(!!), who had driven down to chase off the bikers, and who was delighted to have a group of estrangeiro walkers to confront. When Rod protested that we had not in fact passed any 'No Entry' or 'Private Property' signs the logical reply was that it was because his signs were constantly stolen! Rod queried how we were supposed to know it was private, and in another triumph of logic over reason, our Sheriff replied " Because I am telling you!" This was too much, and the Boundary Ranger hadn't reckoned on our party containing a leading human rights and rights of way duo of Vitor and Dina! They replied so convincingly to the hapless rangers challenge that we continued on our way without further ado,while Vitor and Dina continued to put our case. Eventually the poor man was convinced that he, himself was probably trespassing on our Right of Way!
 |
Further round the reservoir path, Ian, who was a few paces ahead of the field in his role as leader, made an Important Archaeological Discovery. There on the path, possibly released by some seismic activity, lay an ancient Shepherd's Wand, probably of eastern European origin. It is thought that one or two examples of this intricate metalwork mounted on an ashen shaft were brought to Iberia by Emigré Belgian Adventurers, but this has yet to be confirmed, by our Chief Archaeologist, Mike who was absent through redecoration duties. I believe that this priceles item qualifies as Treasure Trove if not claimed within a Year and a Day, and as Finder, Ian will be entitled to auction it to the highest bidder. On his behalf I give notice that anyone who believes they may have Right or Proprietary Interest in this amazingly well-preserved artefact should contact Ian to open deliberations of the Board of Restitution.
 |
 |
Note the Masonic Emblemage and Duck's Bill motif. Comments as to the significance of this ornamentation will be gratefully received.
After this triumph we climbed towards the scarp above the estuary into which the Odelouca flows, and discovered the precautions that the Boundary Ranger had taken to keep out undesirables in the shape of a rusty chain and some collapsed barbed wire. Ever the friend of the environment, Ian dispatched the barbed wire with a few snips of his trusty Colditz Brand wire cutters, and then enjoyed a swing on the chain assisted by the easily amused Gack!!
 |
Ian's prediction had been 16-18 kms for the walk, and his luck held as our sight seeing trip down the Peninsula had padded it out sufficiently to reach 16.7 km. During the post-walk discussion at Café Ourique. it was deemed to be a congenial and successful outing, although some doubts were expressed as to whether we should run the gauntlet of The Sheriff of Morgado de Arge again!
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posted by Paulo a Pe | 1:21 pm
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