AWW 21.02.2007 Arade Amble

Apology for a Trig point Pic - the Leader took pity on them!

The Arade Amble.

Personnel.

Two-Legs:- Terry, Caroline, Stan, Elaine, Mike, Chris, Hedley, Vitor, Dina, Paul, Janet, David.

Guests from the St. Patrick’s Society, in training for the Algarve Way:- Brian, Mike, Sylvia, John O’, John H, David, Lesley.

Four-Legs:- Tiggy, Oscar.

‘At Home’:- Myriam, Jill, Dinah.


Track of the walk - click to enlarge.

Stats: Distance: 18.6 km, Moving Time: 4 hrs 10 min: Total Time: 5 hrs 6 minutes
Moving Average: 4.4 km/hr, Overall Average: 3.6 km/hr
Total Ascent 567 m: Max Elevation: 202 m.

Weather:- Cloudless start, increasingly cloudy and colder towards mid-afternoon.

Here is David's tale of the walk!

Fresh from their initial training walk the previous day, the St. Patrick’s contingent arrived in fine form to join a strong turnout of WW regulars at Amorosa where, luckily for the leader, the bar was open and the caffeine addicts could get their fix. Assisted by Myriam and Dinah, the whole party then decamped to the start of the walk near the chapel of Sao Pedro, just outside Messines. The first section of the walk took place along the low ridge connecting the outskirts of Messines with the upper waters of the Barragem do Funcho, which was seen to be still at virtually maximum capacity. This contrasts with the situation two years ago, when much of the walk could have been undertaken along the river valley floor, so severe was the drought.

The main part of the walk took the group alongside the Barragem, taking in the height just below the Panasco trig-point. No-one seemed to be interested in the idea of a detour to the trig itself, but a group photo was taken at the high-point. Paul managed to get into one version by pretending that he couldn’t work Terry’s camera. Lunch was taken halfway along the Barragem walk when it looked as though the fine morning might turn into a damp afternoon. Fortunately the weather stayed fine, though it became distinctly cooler as the afternoon progressed.

Struggling up the first climb

After lunch the winding way round the Barragem resumed, followed by a climb out of the valley to the ridge overlooking Vale Fuzeiros. A tramp along the tarmac was avoided by an adventurous scramble over rocks and through light scrub on the northern side. Yes, there is a path, it just takes a bit of finding! What remained was to cross the valley once Amorosa was well in view, and to climb the short distance to the village. Tiggy and Oscar were shepherded expertly at this point past the only farm livestock encountered, in the shape of a family of ducklings.

A debate had developed during the later stages of the walk between Leader and Guardian of the GPS about the length of the walk. Announced as a c17k, it appeared that we were going to break the 20k with ease, until it emerged that the Guardian had been calculating based on a return to Sao Pedro, whereas the walk was designed to finish at the bar. There was an overshoot, but within the limitations of the low-tech methods employed by the leader, not an awful one.

A pleasant, extremely pretty walk, and the prospect of some new members for the group, as the St. Patrick’s folk declared themselves well-satisfied with their two days of exercise. For those who might be interested in an invite to tag along, they are to begin their attempt on the Algarve Way on the 16^th of April, walking for two days a week until they finish. These plans may change slightly when we post-mortem the trial walks of last week, but the general time-frame will stay. Anyone who tells the SPS that their members were drinking 25cl beers at the bar will NOT be allowed to walk.

Caroline assesses a dead snake. - Unfortunately, Myriam, our Snake Soup consultant was not available to judge whether it could yet be turned into a tasty broth - or whether consumption of the raw gall bladder would give one of our senior members a new lease of life!!
Later on we came across a Caracois production facility - if only we had known this could have been a real Gourmet walk.



The gate post of the Snail Farm


The St. Patrick's contingent enjoying the 'best' part of the walk!! Who said size matters!!!

AWW 14.02.2007 John's Bonus (but late) Pix

The Valentino's and Valentina's arranged in a more orderly fashion.

John's pix arrived a little late for the stringent deadline, but 'para encorajar os outros' I have printed a Late Extra Pictorial Supplement. Note the four (yes four!) sets of gaiters resplendent in the sunlight.

Chris - on parade - a candid natural pose.

Making a real effort to compete with the CB in terms of attire and accoutrements, and while the new gaiters, highly polished Clarks WalkLite boots and Tilley Hat are impressive, he fails on lack of Mobile Statistic Gathering Equipment on his Utility belt.

'Another fine mess....!

The 'Leader' pioneering a route across the first gully and up the opposite bank!.



Lindsey has heard enough....!

The time comes to settle the drinks bill!!! Some recollections are faulty, but Lindsey has can handle this, and is about to deliver the 'One Finger Rib Wrecker'! Andrew has experience of that finger and looks on in trepidation.

AWW 14.02.2007, St Valentine's Day Misadventure

A fine field of thoroughbreds milling around before the Starter's Flag goes up!

Things didn't look promising at first as St Valentine's day dawned, grey in Lagos, and drizzly for our more easterly participants. Then I received a worried phone call from Mike, explaining that he couldn't couldn't come as he had run over one of his dogs, and was imminently on his way to the vet. Thankfully, Nestor is a tough old girl, and things weren't as bad as feared at first. By the time we had reached the start near Corgo da Fonte, heading for Três Figos, the sun was out and it turned out to be splendid walking weather.

Leader: Paul
Present: Chris; Antje; Andrew; Lindsey; Ian S.; John; David: Hedley; Janet: Tina
Tiggy

Stats: Length 19.5 km. Total Time; 5hrs 40 min. Moving Time; 4 hrs 37 minutes
Overall average speed 3.4 km/hr; Moving Average 4.2 km/hr
Total Ascent 546 metres, Max Elevation 358 metres, Start elevation 100 metres

Corgo da Fonte Walk track. (Click to enlarge.)

First a little explanation: Lindsey inveigled me into leading a walk on the 28th, and I had been intending a new walk in this area for some time. New technology prompted a new approach to routefinding, so I downloaded the 1973 Military map of the area into my computer, and with the aid of an excellent piece of software called OziExplorer, I laid out a theoretical track of around 20km, following what could have been good paths in 1973. Fortunately, some parts of the Algarve have not changed much in this time, and the only problem was that the northern E-W part of my chosen path is now the Aljezur-Marmelete Expressway!!
I did a preliminary recce by G-Wagen last Wednesday after I had wimped out of the Carrapateira walk, and then remembered that owing to Rod's dicky ankle, I was promoted to leading the walk on the 14th. Only two problem areas - the aforementioned Aljezur road, and the N-S uphill leg from where the undergrowth became impenetrable to vehicles, up to the northern end of the Romeiras-Marmelete road, which again in 1973 was only a track.
This last was rediscovered last Sunday with the selfless assistance of Chris and Antje, on a rather dismal and drizzly day, and without the benefit of gaiters, which would have been most useful. That left in the lap of the Gods, an unreccied attempt to traverse from E-W to reach the homeward path, using as little tarmac as possible. As there had been plenty of logging and clearing in the area, I crossed my fingers and bravely announced that "There must be a way through!"



Crossing a small gully

Now to the walk. We met for an early coffee at D. Aldina's fine establishment, Casa Pacheco in Romeiras, and having two non-walkers, Myriam and Dinah, we were driven to the start near Corgo da Fonte. We had been graced with the unexpected presence of Hedley, fresh from his Christmas return to the UK, and of Tina, introduced by Janet "just to see if she likes it!" The long uphill start to the most NE point of the walk was fairly uneventful, and the drying effect of the sun was that the 4 sets of gaiters on show, (Lindsey, Andrew, Chris and Antje) were rendered largely superfluous. Chris was also christening his new Christmas Tilley, which is still a pristine white as can be seen from the photo above.
At top of climb, I was astonished to find we had only covered 5 km, as I had promised at least 17 km. I surreptitiously threw in an extra loop 'for the views' - but as it turned out I didn't really need to!




Picking our way down the terraces of a major replanting area.

Into the valley we plunged, and although rough going for the latter section where the clearing and replanting had been undertaken, it was slightly worrying that there had been no activity on the other side of the valley where I hoped to ascend. We reached a very narrow valley floor and carried on down hoping for a place to cross. The decision was taken out of our hands as the cleared path we were on took an upward turn away from the river.

Antje clambering out of the gully while Chris wonders whether he should risk his Tilley Hat down there!

Eventually, with much huffing and puffing we all emerged on the rather overgrown path on the opposite side. The GPS was telling me where we wanted to go, but there didn't seem much in that direction, so I headed off on a mini-recce. While I was away there was a unilateral decision to lunch (NFF Poor discipline not to wait for the leader - must convene the sub-committee on battlefield punishments!) Anticipating this need for the occasional recce, I had brought along the W/T, and after slashing my way through some brambles and up a near vertical slope, to my amazement I found myself in a large marrow patch, that had been abandoned some time previously, but was producing marrows of an astonishing size and health. This gave me a clue that there must be some civilisation nearby, and in fact there was after thrashing through some more undergrowth I arrived at an abandoned pig farm. I managed to extract a promise from David (between mouthfuls) to follow on, and eventually we all made it up through the marrow patch with varying degrees of gnashing and wailing.

The climb to the Marrow Patch
A fine pair.... (well you expected that didn't you!!)



"The Marrow Patch Dolls!" (Note how I have refrained from anything crude and obvious!!)

After the pig farm, the route up to the Aljezur-Marmelete road was reasonably easy though warm going, and after a few hundred metres on tarmac we reached the intended path down towards Três Figos and thence Romeiras. Before this, the sensitive and romantic Leader handed out 'Love Hearts' sweets to all survivors (both male and female - no homophobia here!) Regrettably no records were kept of the words of wisdom inscribed thereon, but the fizzy sweets themselves evoked fond memories of a far more innocent era.

The remainder of the walk was a pleasant long downhill stretch, followed by a rather overgrown transition across to meet the Romeiras road down through the HGV and Agricultural machinery Repair depot. Then a sprint to Casa Pacheco, narrowly won (as ever) by Ian S, and a well earned beer, Janet produced her pumpkins, and we all admired them!




PS: If this walk is to be done again it needs some refining, although many expressed that they enjoyed the uncertainty and the moderate scrambling, and it may be that an extension to the north of the Aljezur -Marmelete Road needs to be explored.

AWW 07.02.2007 Carrapateira Climatic Capers!

Apologies from the CB, as on a day that turned out to be less damp than a squib, I took the torrential downpour on our terrace to be representative of the day ahead, and secured a cancellation notice from Chris (whom I thought was to be the leader). Little did I know, that Antje had been gagging to model her rain gaiters, and would not be swayed from pressing on with the walk. Nevertheless, I maintained my stance, and took advantage of the later (dryish) forenoon to commence a recce of next week's potential walk, which had been brought forward from the 28th owing to Rod's temporary incapacity.

T.O.T.P.P

No 'Mats, flaps or bidet' this week (for the uninitiated - car sales jargon for desirable optional accessories ) as I was unable to record a track or upload a Bamboo Diagram for this particular version of Antje and Chris's walk. Photos by John - main report by Chris and inappropriate comments (where appropriate) by me!

CARRAPATEIRA CLIMATIC CAPERS

Leader; Chris; Executive Producer; Antje

Attendees : Terry M, Ian S, John H, Janet,Caroline, Stan, Elaine and their guests Jill and Chris.

Only one dog, Tiggy.

Despite the forecast of inclement weather, as evidenced by heavy rain in the Lagos area, eleven intrepid WW's elected to brave the elements and meet for the walk at the Cafe Bravo in Carrapateira as planned. That the leader of the day had indicated that no wimping out would be be allowed after the start, whatever the weather, hadn't served to deter any of the participants. In fact, we were greeted with dry, partly sunny conditions when we set off, with little sign of the impending rain clouds on the horizon.

With the intention of maintaining what had been billed as a "shorter walk" scant attention was paid to those seeking more hills and greater distances. The start was varied however to include a rapid ascent to the trig point above Carrapateira in order to enjoy the splendid coastal views and allow for the by now obligatory photo to be taken.An equally rapid descent to join the more usual valley path was greeted with a few complaints mostly silenced when the stiff climb up to Monte Velho was commenced.

The traditional approach to Praia do Amado was varied however to include an additional loop to the South, which when nearing the cliff path to the beach resulted in some route deviations being proposed by RTC veterans seeking the off piste excitment of vertical slopes and cistus plants in abundance. Fortunately sanity prevailed in the end and the regular route was followed to the beach and on to a windswept headland chosen as the scenic lunch spot.

A "domestic'" between the leaders..left or right? Janet wanted it both ways.
(Antje models her new gaiters while making a point with Janet. Chris is about to produce a yellow card!)

With winds increasing and rain clouds building, in no time at all lunch was consumed and the gallant group set off to complete the full distance, following the cliff path to Pontal and Praia da Bordiera. Carrapateira was soon in sight once again and with the scent of the beer at Cafe Bravo now in the wind, good progress was made across the sand dunes as the first drops of rain began to fall.

No sooner were we seated under the awning at Cafe Bravo than the heavens opened and the forecast heavy rain began to fall in earnest. Divine intervention perhaps, but precision timing and an unswerving insistance on following the planned route enabled us all to enjoy a pleasant days walk in the dry, in spite of the prevailing climatic conditions. Overall the distance was about 16km and the walking time almost exactly 4 hours, as confidently predicted.

It must be something in the beer - post ramble depression sinks in... !!


P.S If this walk is to be repeated when weather conditions are more settled it can easily be extended by another 4-5 kms by following either Ian and Pam's route as the bamboo diagram, or by adding a longer Southern loop from Monte Velho. Trying to include some of the RTC cliff paths might be possible after a more detailed recce of the terrain, which becomes quite confusing as you near the shoreline. Has anyone details of the route for a one way walk from Aljezur to Bordeira, or indeed have we previously done walks in the Aljezur area?

AWW 31.012007: Elderly Gentlemans Excursion!

The Blind leading the Blind!

This was not posed!!! A completely candid shot meant to represent the Virtual Leader handing over the Bamboo Diagrams for this walk to the Actual leader resulted in this shot of their eyes wide closed! The guide dog was also a fortunate happenstance!

Mike - a truly conscientious and caring Leader had spent many years researching this walk, leading Chris and other supporting recce troops into a variety of dangers and adventures - and had come up with a definitive set of Bamboo Diagrams (although not strictly in the Authorised version), and had determined that Antje would interpret them and lead the group round this challenging route. Not only was the walk finished on time, with only a couple of minor steering errors, but it came in within an allowable difference from the published length! And with enormous distinction, the script for this Blog was in my inbox by 6 pm on that very day, closely followed by some interesting pix from John. Here is Mike's eloquent summary!

Elderly Gentleman's Excursion (Marmelete Mission)


Compiling the track of the walk was not helped by the fact that Mike had managed to design this excursion to cross the corners of 4 sheets of the military maps.

Leader: Mike
Present: Chris, Antje, Paul, Andrew, Lindsey, Ian S, Rod, John, Stan, Elaine, Ian W
Tiggy, Pookie and Oscar
Distance 20.6 km, Walking time 4hrs 40 min, Total time 5 hrs 18 minutes: Avg walking speed 4.4km/hr Overall average speed 3.8 km/hr
Total Ascent (New Feature) 770 metres.
Mike's words follow:

Preamble. The report on this week's walk comes in somewhat distorted fashion for those AWWs, e.g. the Blog Editor, accustomed to reading blogs upside down, from right to left and whilst standing on one's head and reading with the aid of a mirror. In this case the walk report starts at the beginning and ends at the finish - peculiar maybe, but just put it down to lapsing into a bygone age.

The pre-walk warning that 'the pace would be that of an elderly gentleman strolling the promenade' did not deter twelve doughty walkers and three dogs from meeting on time at the café/bar Sola da Serra in Marmalete. Coffee and loos were available, thus permitting the walk leader two unqibbled deviations from route without penalty.

Before setting out on schedule at 09.30 hours Mike promptly delegated all responsibility for walk leadership to Antje who gamely accepted the proffered bamboo diagram and, together with Elaine, ensured that the route was followed in exemplary style.

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Rod forlornly preparing for the slow limp back to the start!

Regrettably after some 30 minutes Rod sprained a fetlock and wisely decided to hobble his way back. The suggestion that ice would be desirable was met with rather a blank look as he prefers his whisky neat. This left 11 walkers and 2 dogs to complete the route.

Weather throughout was perfect which made for pleasant walking. We reached the Cerca river after 1 hour 30 minutes easy walking. Some slippery stepping stones and a greasy bank resulted in two cases of water-in-the-boot.

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Pride comes before a ........

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..........Fall !!!
I couldn't resist including John's exciting photos of the Chief Bridge Builder, who energetically hurled large rocks into the raging torrent - each rock displacing the one that had gone before, rather like a Giant's game of Petanque! When at last he attempted the final step to the bank, he actually reached there dry before gently leaning backwards and planting his left leg up to the knee in the crystal brook to forestall a more comprehensive wetting! John was a little over eager in his pressing of the shutter, but the slightly blurred picture gives a fine perception of motion and drama!(CB)

From the Cerca river it is a pleasant climb with, at the top, excellent views of Aljezur and Rogil to the west. Much of this area was severely burnt in the fires of two years ago. Now the land has been cleared and new plantings, including of eucalyptus carried out. The lunch stop, for instance, overlooked extensive views to the south-west which, in a year or two's time will be solid forest -- until the next forest fire rages through.

Antje led us with unfailing accuracy through the abandoned hamlet of Marioilas, now just a sad collection of ruined farm cottages, and on to a ridge top that gave us views back towards the Capela de S. António opposite Marmalete. Paul assured us that, in a direct line, it was just 3 km away. However, we were able to extend this into 8 km.

...

The 'Committee on Bamboo Diagrams' discussing how to prolong the walk!

After crossing the Marmalete-Passil-Selão road, recently tarmac surfaced, and thus to be avoided, we took a ridge top track that eventually led down to the Passil river that was successfully crossed with no sock-wettings. The homeward leg was a lengthy solid climb of some 4.5 km but the scent of a pint of foaming ale made this less onerous.


Group in front of surplus eucalyptus logs resulting from the previous years' fires.

As usual there was some questioning regarding the final length of the walk. But 21 km is a reasonable compromise. Walk duration was scheduled as 5 hours 15 minutes and this would have been followed to the minute had there not been finicky photographic requirements. This resulted in the walk exceeding its scheduled time by 2 minutes 30 seconds, thus causing considerable gripe from the Blog Editor who rated this as lost beer time.

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Bathed in the winter sun at the Café

Myriam + Maio met us at the Café/bar Sol da Serra where we were able to enjoy our drinks outside in delightfully sunny weather.

Postscript. Mike has the necessary equipment for cleaning the tubes and bag of a Camelback water container which he will happily lend to anyone asking for it.