The Benafim Boogie Woogie, 8.10. 2025
Oh, the state of it! Big Boss still missing in action, umpteen folk on the injured list, other miscreants absent for birthdays and property inspections, what can you do? Press on regardless, I suppose, which is what eight survivors did this week under the burning sun (lots of breeze too), to keep the party going. The heroic eight wer:
Ros, Julie, Tony, Steve, Karen, Alan, Peter and Moi. At least we had the paparazzo, so `Moi`didn´t have to remember to take photos. A very grateful welcome back to Tony and Julie, who so regularly desert the wonderful climate of north Lancashire to bolster our numbers.
Here we are in all our glory, soon after departure from cafe Ponto do Encontro in Benafim. One of these days, Alan is going to fall flat on his face scrambling to get in the shot, and all we shall see is him sprawled on the ground, with several open gobs hoping he will get up unscathed.
Leaving the fleshpots of Benafim behind, we descended into the valley to the south, but as usual, Moi got the location round his neck, and we wandered around, taking in another stretch of the Loule road, before we finally located the correct track/road to take us across to the desired pathway under the hill on the opposite side. This partly accounts for the unwanted excess on the distance walked. We met a very nice couple with two dogs, who kindly explained what we needed to do (by which time Moi had figured it out), leaving them with a warning about the three strays we had seen back on the track.
Finally coming to the Espargal tarmac road, we turned up hill for one of the two meaningful climbs of the day, and thankfully turned off onto the dirt track towards Alto Fica. Water stop taken (we actually remembered to take water regularly today), we walked the slight uphill way, admiring (when Moi pointed it out), the rather splendid view opening out as we went. Conversation ranged from the state of the world (catastrophic), to absent friends (what silly things were they up to, then?), to the upcoming local elections (`best time to get any`complaints in`).
Arriving at Alto Fica, we noted the improved appearance of the remaining bar on the main road, but decided it was too early to sit down for lunch, and anyway, the staff in the past have not been exactly welcoming, though the three folk sitting outside turned out to be English, so they were putting up with it - or maybe things have changed?
Getting out of Alto Fica (all dozen houses of it) proved interesting, as Moi`s memory deserted him again, and we had to retrace our steps to the cafe before we located the track. Still, we had another look at the trio sitting outside. What they thought about us is not recorded. The next stage was a little more straightforward, as we walked broad tracks in glorious sunshine and gentle breeze, passing the tiny hamlet (Forno do Cal) which must in the past have existed to burn limestone for the production of cal (the white coating that was used historically to whitewash houses.)
Shortly after this we stopped for a very short lunchbreak, (after a brief backtrack), each to his or her own rock or shady nook. Peter removed himself a good distance away, and had to be hailed loudly when we were ready to continue. Thereafter the highway to Nave do Barao was followed in good order and through pleasantly flat or downhill terrain. On the way to the village, we passed a small patch of autumn crocus growing in the shade - remarkable given the lack of water since the spring).
As Nave do Barao lies in a valley, we naturally had to climb out of it, up to Montes de Cima on the tarmac, and then on to the rather intimidating track just before the village. Moi assured the party that we were not actually going all the way up to the ridge, and we duly took a left onto the track that more or less contours the hill, all the way back to Benafim. It did seem quite a lot longer than I remember it, I have to say.
As we approached Benafim, Steve showed why we let Hashers join our walks, as he took us on a short cut, following a Hash route up to the village and the bar, for which we were grateful. There followed a pleasant half hour or so at Ponto do Encontro, where the measures of wine are among the largest of any bar we visit! A discussion around the upcoming away days failed to reach a conclusion, but some progress was made.
All in all, a most pleasant day in great company, even though we eventually walked 2.5k more than advertised (17.5). This was made acceptable mainly by the lack of uphill toil on the route. Thanks to Alan once again for the photos. We look forward to the return of the wandering and the wounded, with all good wishes to the latter. Next!
