AWW 16.05.2007 An Alte Amble or Waiting for the Cavalry

Another walk directed by that indefatigable Google Earth Guru (aka David Littlewood), together with "assistance" by part-time consultant, Ian S., (and we all have our opinions about consultants!); also, the welcome return of Hazel.

Present
Cartographer Emeritus and Leader:David L.
Consultant (occasionally): Ian S.
The Field: Gack, Dina and Vitor, Janet, Mick(HHH)Walters, Terry M., John and Hazel.
Dogs: Archie and Shorty
Late Arrivals (very): Lindsey and Antje (see below*)

Statistics:
Distance: approx 12.5 km
Time: 2 hours 55 mins
Tilley Hat Count: 1
Kalenji T-Shirt Count:2

Starters at the Fontes

Before the start, Vitor mentioned, very sotto voce, that on 18.04.07 he had arrived on time at Silves Cemetery, the assembly point for that week's walk, only to find that the leader and group had already left. He then did his own walk. (See Rod's report which is embedded in the blog entitled "What's happened to the Blog?")

The leader's report now follows, in black, with occasional interjections by the aforementioned consultant, in red italics, and, possibly, sub-editorials in cyanide. Photos by David L. and John H. (Clicking on photos will (should) enlarge them: return to blog by clicking on left arrow at top left of your screen.)


"The Missing Horses Caper"

There were doubts surrounding this walk from the very start. Ian Scott and I were deep in misunderstandings about the route, the walkers were attempting to assemble in at least three different places, Janet having run herself up a blind alley by Fonte Pequena, and no-one seemed to be absolutely certain whether and where we would meet the Posse from Alcoutim. However, the weather was perfect and spirits high as we departed Fonte Grande at 9.45 am and made our way back to the path which took us out of the valley by Fonte Pequena and up to the road above.

It was only at this point that I deemed it safe to point out that the walk was to be tracked using only a Google Earth photo, and that, in order to make life interesting, I had left my specs in the bathroom after applying my sun-block. Even though my exploits on the Algarve Way had got around, there was remarkably little reaction to these announcements. Must have been the sun. (There was however some comment to the effect that we were treading on an exceptionally lengthy bit of tarmac for a Littlewood expedition, but that was shortly remedied.)

(Incidentally, that bloke giving the lecture on Foia was NOT me - he was far too old and bossy, and I never lose my stick.) (No, of course he wasn't YOU, David: it was Rory Bremner, especially engaged for the movie shot.)

The path - non tarmac - was easily found round the hill from Soidos de Baixo; and led through wonderfully flowered countryside with yellow gorse in abundance -there being only one minor mishap when Janet had an encounter with an obstreporous piece of barbed wire. But on hitting the valley floor opposite the old restaurant by the lake it ran out, and a desperate flurry of activity on my part failed to locate it. Good Old Google!

Where did that path go?

Nought for it then but to track across to the lake, walk round it and head for the known path on the opposite bank of the stream. The restaurant has now apparently been turned into a private house, but at least it looks better than the abandoned, vandalised wreck we saw last time.

Then it was jungle time as we made our way along scarcely visible tractor tracks through head-high grass, reminiscent of the African habitat of the fabled W.T.*.A.W. tribe celebrated by cognscenti of rugby songs...........

In the elephant grass

......and on towards the track leading back to Alte. It was at this point that Ian lifted the clouds of ignorance surrounding my idea of the plans for the day....well, I was there purely on a part-time consultative basis......when he told me that Rod's Riders were not following the AW walking route from Penina, but were coming across into the valley we had just joined. Isn't it nice when you know what's going on? Yes. (For the rest of us, on such a fine day, ignorance was indeed bliss.)

Communications with the Posse by mobile were established soon afterwards, but it transpired that they had been delayed, so we continued uneventfully (barring a view of a spectacular field of poppies and keeping our feet dry, thanks to a ford provided with sturdy stepping stones) back to our starting-point by 12.40 pm to find the Posse Support Party already in place, but with no two or four legs to support.

Over the ford
Shorty and Archie

Beer was had, lunches eaten, and photos taken. At about 1 pm Lindsey and Antje arrived fresh from the (gurgling?) ( gargling?) ah! Gardening Club, complete with boots as if to pretend they had been walking all the time, but we were not fooled, oh no! *The sub-sub-committee is still out on the question of their eligibility to be included in the day's count.

A late lunch


Calendar Girls

News from the Posse continued to be gloomy, a rescue party having had to be ordered out to recover a fallen mount. Time passed and it was finally decided to abandon the planned welcoming party, and the group dispersed for home. The best laid plans and a' that.

Notwithstanding the tone of poetic melancholia in the Leader's closing phrase, unsubstantiated rumour has it that two members undertook the onerous task of remaining behind in the bar at Fonte Grande until connection could at last made with the Posse's vanguard....... such selfless dedication, those guys.