5 NOVEMBER 2025 – PINE TREES AND BARAGEMS

 

AWW Walk REPORT – 5 NOVEMBER 2025 – PINE TREES AND BARAGEMS

The weather forecast was a bit gloomy so a few people had cried off but a decent bunch of hardy souls were willing to join me.  We met at the café in Rasmalho and had a very heavy rain shower whilst inside.  Ros pointed out the severe weather warnings showing on the TV for places further North.

When the rain stopped we drove 3kms further up the road to the start of the walk.  12 walkers and 2 x dogs.  Once everyone booted  and  suited and booted we headed off up the tree lined path.  Boasting about how lucky we were that is was not raining.

The new recruit Maura seemed to think it would be a lovely sunny day & dressed accordingly....

Ros, Ken, Linda, Bev, Miriam, Martin, Mark, Julie, Sue, Maura, Tony and Geoff (the photographer).  The dogs were Bica and Toby. 

Past a pile of builder’s rubbish  spoiling the beautiful countryside.

A bit further along we started to zig zag down the valley, through the pine trees whilst admiring all the lovely colours.  The dogs had a quick dip and drink in the baragem whilst the walkers had a banana snack or one of Ros sweeties.

Then the rain started so we ran to shelter under the trees whilst donning our raincoats. 

                                    Ros had the brightest raincoat; it also matched her rucksack.

The group was starting to spread out so the front group sheltered in a pump house whilst the back group caught up.  Martin found the electric light switch.

 

After about 45 minutes the rain stopped so we stopped to take off the raincoats.  A bit further along we reached the half way stage and waved goodbye to Miriam, Ken and Bica the dog who were taking the short cut back.

We headed down the valley past the hippie commune with caravans and tents hidden in the countryside.

 

The leader suggested we did a cheeky lunch stop in one of their tents but Julie noticed there were remains from someone’s recent breakfast so we thought better of it.

The big gate was unlocked but the small church was closed.

Happy house didn’t look so happy today as it was up for sale.

Then the rain started again so we sheltered in a ruin whilst we had lunch.  It was a bit dirty, we saw a rat scurry out and there was a bird next by the window but it was dry and there was light coming through some of the holes in the roof.

We headed round the back of the next valley and found the recently dry riverbed now had running water but luckily it also had stepping stones.

Bye now the sun was shining and we had the one main climb of the day, back out of the Valley and onwards back towards the cars. 

Back to the café for refreshments.  Linda and Julie did a cool down whilst we waited for the coffee to be served.

 

The walk was 14 kms and we completed it in just over 4 hours including a lunch break.  Geoff was impressed we had a moving average of 4km per hour.  Miriam messaged to say they found the short cut back okay and were now home.

Thank you for joining me today, I think we all had a bit of fun and lots of comradery. Also thank you to Geoff for taking the photos.

Linda

 

Trigs and Windmills. What more could you possibly want in a walk?

 To meet at the fabulous Sue Minnis's house obviously !

We've got a walk for you
and there'll be drinkies too.
Better still, you can chat with Sue.
She´s Scottish and brave (tart).

(Scotland the Brave, clean version)

Sadly there were no bagpipes and marching bands but drizzle and cloud.  Not the boiling hot sun Julie had expected.  Still, after coffee and home-made buns, 12 happy chappies and one impatient dog gathered at the gates for the customary naming and shaming...

From the left: Joern, Karen, Martin, Frankie, Steve, Peter, Jan, Naomi, Rachel, Ros with Linda and Toby on the front row.  Julie was hiding behind the camera.

Julie had taken the precaution of sharing the trail with Steve and Martin so that, should she fall ill, fall off a hill or fall out with someone, they could lead the walkers back.  It was really not necessary as this was a Sue walk so most people had done it in some form or another previously.

A gentle start up the road then off on the marked trail.  However, the gentle stroll couldn't last as everyone knew we were going up to the windmills.  Well, everyone but the guests haha!

Still, it was worth it for the views over Santa Barbara and down to the coast.  Great views of Ikea as well!

Always a good idea to send the oldest walker up to the top of a windmill!!  Who else would be daft enough?

Well it got a proposal....

For Jan

As this is a family blog we're not telling what the proposal was .....

And it wasn't " Rapunsel let down your hair"!!

On up the second windmill.

And yes, Frankie is only 11!

Steve pointed out a good trail towards Mar Shopping which gave Julie a good idea for her next AWW walk. 

Of course everyone knew what was coming next - Nexe  Oh yes, Nexe the hard way  Up the steep, slippery path.  Julie should have realised that the temption of chairs two thirds of the way up would be too much for some i.e. the sensible ones.

A quick breather before the summit.

If there are any aliens watching or listening, this is what some humans do for fun!!

And they send their young up the trigs !!!  She volunteered after we explained it was the tradition. Julie didn´t even have to bribe her with promises of ice cream and/or chips.

After the summit we deviated from Sue's route and followed good tracks down towards the Ribeira de Goldra valley.  Easy tracks with no major downhills. Julie is not good at going down!!  Just ask Tony.

A quick head count to make sure Julie had got everyone safely down!

Yes it was a walk, not a sit-in.

After being given the choice of up to Alto do Relogio or an easier up straight to Goldra, the group made the decision to take the easy route  Julie was relieved.  

After lunch by the roadside, a bit of tarmac before the final off road and trig...

Back to the cars at Sue's and up to the the cafe in Gorjoes for a well earned drink..  Sue can to join us.  Julie was so happy to get everyone back and to have remembered the kitty that she forgot to take the final photo for evidence.  Sack her!!!

Many thanks to Sue for her hospitality.

Stats:

About 14.5 kms, 290 m of climb and 4 hours in time.