AWW 09.05.2007 Carrapateira to Cape St Vincent. And Then There Were Nine.
A few AWWs again joined the AWIW survivors as they completed the Algarve.Way
The following concise and pithy report, verbatim, by Janet; photos by Terry Mace.
Summerfield Walk Rating: It was equally glorious and a real stinker.
Present:
The Updulationous Leader: David Littlewood
AWWs: Janet, Terry
AWIWs: Leslie and David, Sylvia and Mick, Brian, John.
No nonsense about Tilley hats or other articles of sartorial walking gear.
Met at Carrapateira to leave by 8.00am. Beautiful morning promising a hot day but sufficient sea breeze to counteract the heat. The views were spectacular and the wild flowers glorious.
David Littlewood does have a talent for choosing the most difficult of routes and over the various hills between Carrapateira and Praia Cordama rendered one or two of the group rigid with fear. The path down from one hill, (Pedras Atlas?), had completely disappeared into the scrub and so we made a very slow and scratchy descent. Looking back from the top of the next hill it was impossible to see a better way.
Down on to Praia Cordama for the usual delightful walk along the beach but unlike true WW style (or regime) we all quickly peeled off to sit thankfully in the cafe and down a cold beer.
Then dearest David took us kicking and screaming up the most difficult route I have ever experienced to the old customs house on top of the next cliff. We all know it well....me especially as that ascent is my personal hate. I must have walked it three or four times but have never ascended on toes and fingertips by the gully that is closest to the sea. It was a real stinker and after struggling to the top I think that John and Mick were truly brave to complete the climb, not that there was any chance of going back! David, who looked so cool and fresh for the whole of the walk, just said that we had come that way because it was the most direct route!!
Then it was just a matter of keeping going until we reached Cape St Vincent to a welcoming group of Hashers and St Patrick's, champagne and cold beers and lots of photos by the last cistus symbol of those who had completed the whole Algarve Way. They did well.
posted by John Hope | 11:16 am
2 Comments:
Research into Terry's photos reveals that the first one was taken outside Carrapateira at 8.10 am and the final one at the champagne reception at Cape St. Vincent was taken at 4.50 pm. Some long walk,indeed.
Paul will no doubt be providing us with champagne at the end of the next walk HE leads!
I have to say, it was very hot, hard work. Goodness knows how they all kept going. As a postscript, after umpteen kilometers, three glasses of champagne and a few beers, I sat by the road and waited, smiling gently, for a lift home. I was asleep before we got to Vila do Bispo...
Terry M
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