AWW 06.06.2007 Cansado Carousel

The starters at Café Cansado. The start was much delayed, Mike being in such a munificent mood that he authorised a coffee detail. This photo was taken before a rather assertive gentleman turned up in an off-white van and pointed out that our first come - first served and devil-take-the-hindmost Parking Policy had resulted in his passage being blocked. As The Hindmost, I was only too happy to have certain cars which were taking up too much space rearranged.( NB The Red One!). However in the excitement of taking this pic, and running around to avoid the cars being reparked, Myriam managed to drop her camera battery, recently purchased by me in Hong Kong for $99, and so took no further part in the photography with her camera, until we returned and did a fingertip search, resulting in the battery being located beneath Lindsey's reparked car. (This version may appear below from a slightly different viewpoint - which just goes to show that history is written by the winners and Chief Bloggers!
John H appeared unduly eager to abdicate from his responsibilities as Blogger in Locum, and as I am having to relearn the whole process, not having blogged for over two months, this blog may fall a little short of the professional standards achieved hitherto. However you will have a nice expandable map of the route taken if I can get it to upload!





Track of the route starting at Café Cansado in the bottom RH corner in Arao.

Without more ado let us hear from the leader in his own inimitable style!

Walk Report – ‘Bravura Ridgetops’ - 6th June, 2008

With temperatures rising a shorter walk was selected. This also took into consideration the fitness levels of those who had recently returned from an over indulgence in the fleshpots of the PRC.

Walk statistics: Moving time: 3 hours 9 mins; Total time: 3 hours 28 mins; Moving ave: 4.4 kph; Overall ave: 4.0 kph; Total ascent: 354 m; Max elev: 155 m. (noted for the benefit of AWW statistical junkies).

Walkers: Lindsey, Myriam, Paul, Rod, John and Hazel, John O’Neill, Brian and Mike

Dogs: Oscar and Pooky

Shillelaghs: 1

Start/End point: Café/bar Cansado, Arão

Ostensible leader: Mike; de facto leader: Lindsey who directed the walk, using a bamboo diagram chart, with great charm and ruthless efficiency.

Possibly an all time record was set of 15 minutes between official and actual start time. This was due to a number of factors. Firstly, a nameless couple phoned in distress some 6 km northwards, asking for start point directions. In future directions should appear in both Cantonese and Mandarin. Morale rose considerably when a most shapely young lady parked her car with the rest and hopes rose amongst the male walkers that she was a guest walker. Sadly she deposited her trash in the nearby trash bins and drove off. Morale plummeted. At this point Myriam lost a vital battery for her camera, not to be retrieved until our return.

No it was a pirate battery - not a vampire battery!!

The publican's dog then decided this was an opportune moment to demonstrate his disdain for the whole proceedings by cocking his leg on the OL's back pack. Finally, we were advised most politely by a resident to park our cars better to improve access for local goods carriers. All this confusion proved too much for a breakaway group who now disappeared into the nearby tavern, eventually reappearing with satisfied expressions. The walk finally got under way at 08.45 hours.

Luckily Paul was back to assist the d.f. Leader to interpret some of Mike's more imaginative Bamboo Diagrams!

After a short climb the walk encompasses splendid views northwards to the Serra de Monchique and eastwards towards and beyond Alcalar. The pleasant ridge top walking is sadly defaced with the placement of a line of pylons for the power lines that will shortly pass this way. Later, the walk passes to the east of the hamlet of Bravura and the pump house that controls water outflows from the Barragem. After passing a well-stocked series of pigeon lofts magnificent views are gained back to the Barragem and westwards to Cotifo and the hills beyond. Eventually, Monte Ruivo trig point (133 m) is gained where we had the obligatory group photograph. The return journey leads down faint tracks, an abandoned cottage (site of Antje’s contretemps with a bee) and finally the road to Fata Vacas.

Lindsey, AWW secateurs in hand 'scrumping' some dead thistles. There is apparently a difference between this and the scrumping of previous weeks!!

The AWW secateurs were used for the first time – but not to clear the path but to cut some attractive dried plants for Lindsey’s house decoration. Overall a pleasant, not too arduous walk made enjoyable by the cooling breeze that blew throughout.

T.O.T.P.P - cunningly composed by Myriam (with Paul's camera AND battery) to exclude the large modern hill-top house to the immediate left.





Back at Café Cansado, we were discussing the possibilty of a walk next week, when we discovered that in true Algarve fashion, the wall calendar was for 2006!! Actually that is quite up to date for Arão!

The next event is the 'End of season' lunch, at Benagil on 9th June - organised by a sub-committee of One, although he claims to have official sanction from Lindsey, as she pushed out the email! Watch this space for a fairly balanced report and photos i.d.c. Remember: Life is too short to drink House Wine (to quote more than one of the group's Cognoscenti!) I.S. you have been advised!!!