AWW Walk – 7 OCTOBER 2026 – Pine Forests and Baragems

 

AWW Walk report – 7 OCTOBER 2026 – Pine Forests and Baragems

 

7 walkers and 2 x dogs.  David, Martin, Gill, Ros, Tim, Jim, Linda (photographer) Plus the dogs Toby and Raffa.

We met at the café then drove the 3kms further upto the start of the walk.  We lost a car on route and thought it must be a record to lose walkers before the start of the walk.  Tim had forgotten his bag at the café!

We set off in the sunshine, fit as a fiddle, the dogs having the time of their lives running on in front.

We trudged beneath the pine trees enjoying the shade and the soft carpet of pine needles under foot.

The first baragem looked fair grand, calm water, blue skies and pine trees reflected on the surface.  Proper post card stuff.  We stopped to admire the view whilst the dogs had a dip.

On we trudged through more shady pine trees and came to a section of over 200 trees (they were all individually numbered) that were being harvested for their sap.  Probably for use in waterproof resin or first aid products.

Down a bit further to the next shimmering baragem, even Gill said it looked enticing for a swim.

Further along we said our goodbyes to David, Martin and Raffa and sent them on their way back the shorter route.

The remaining famous five, plus dog headed down t 'hill, passing the rustic campsite that may be in need of some of the waterproof resin.

Then past the small church, a short stretch of tarmac and back on the dirt tracks.

We stopped for lunch at a shady watering hole.

A couple of rough looking dogs came to check us out.  Toby greeted them with respect so they decided we were no threat and decided to join our walk for a short while.

Then it were back up t' hill, round a few bends and back down tut cars.   Fortunately, David and Martin had found their way back as the cars had vanished.

Back to the café for the usual well-deserved refreshments.  It were a grand day out but I forgot to take anymore photos after lunch.

I shortened the walk slightly to 13.25 kms but no complaints there.  Thanks to those who joined us today. 

Linda

 

A short walk to start the season....around Messines to Funcho

 A short walk to start the season and that means a short blog !

From east and west they met at O Momento in Messines on a cloudy, close morning. Lots of chatter but the13 walkers and 2 dogs lined up dutifully for the photo. Names not necessary , we all know who's who.

 Although the walk would be west of Messines the first loop took us due east on a flat track past some lush greenery .

A teeny little slope having safely negotiated 2 roundabouts. Single file, very well behaved at this point.

 Back in Messines the leader forced a stop to look at the sandstone carving and tools used in the past. Some poetry from João de Deus  was studied and attempts made to translate it.

 Then it was uphill towards Penedo Grande and the wiggely little back streets and alleyways of the town.

We stopped to look at the poet's birthplace and 3 walkers stopped altogether and made their way back through town to their cars - or perhaps they fancied lunch at O Momento ?

 Now heading west we followed the railway until we could go through the tunnel and up the hill to .....

...to the Santa Ana chapel ( murmerings in Messines that it may be restored and reroofed one of these days ) and the lovely tiled picture of the Battle of Santa Ana in 1834.

Lunch in the shade  - Toby had already had his on the way up.

Uphill from the chapel and then down towards the top end of Barragem Funcho. 

At a fork the rights on the right had it and we walked a longer loop to join the road back to  Intermarché in Messines. 

Some were so revived by their drinks that they went off to play the Volta machine, others found their drinks rather smaller than usual and Martin went AWOL looking for books in a charity shop . That was the last we saw of him.

Walk was about 14kms, elevation 165m....Plus 1.6k through Messines to the cars.

Thanks to all who came and great to have our photographer with us again.

ps. Martin sent apologies - accepted and he's still allowed to walk with us.

Ros

 

AWW End of 2026 winter season and lunch
June 10th 2026
Exploring the Paderne Countryside

On a beautiful June morning a hardy crew of walkers met in Paderne to celebrate the end of our Winter season of walks with a short 8km hike around Paderne before a group lunch in Moiras Encantadas.

After a early coffee and catch up chat we assembled in the usual place for a group photo:

From left: Steve C, Ken, Steve S, Tim, Sue, Karen, Jan, Christine, Richard, Margaret, Statue, Miriam, Julie, Linda, Russ, Tony and Martin with our doggie friends Bica and Toby.

We then setoff along the approach road to the Algibre river valley and the first of our river crossings:

Some uppy downy countryside and a nice spot of shade under the A22 motorway we arrived at our second water crossing but with a low gate to navigate first. This weir crossing forced a wet feet or no wet feet decision and the well planned walkers changed into their water shoes!

After a quick water stop we then turned left to walk along the narrow riverbank trail till we reached the scenic Roman Bridge for another rest stop and photo opportunity...

One of our walkers opted for a very Islamic looking head scarf!

We then continued to circle around Paderne castle before dropping down under the A22 again and make our way to the car park for a rapid change of costume and a lovely lunch.

Martin

My thanks to Martin for leading the walk and the blog so far, I'll add my tuppence! He was too kind to mention that both Ken & I were nursing injuries : I did tag along for about a kilometer, but decided that a gossip with Ken and another cup of coffee was a better option. We then  rashly decided to drive to   the fort, open on wednesdays, only to get there and find it closed!

BTW, no one has yet explained what the holes in the outside of the walls were for....ideas anyone please?

We passed the walkers on our way back, getting a quick flash from Jan that was too quick to get the camera out for. Back for a Sagres and catch up with Eileen before  everyone returned.

Our resident photograper Alan apologises for the rosy hue of the lunch photos : due to bright sun shining through the parasols he reckons, anyway, yertis:

Lunch was the usual very good quality.....with soup as well!......it was good that they could take us: it was a National Holiday ( explains why castle was shut!).

Some earnest chats....

And then I tried to send all to sleep with a few brief words:

I remembered to thank ( or hope I did)   Jan for organising, Martin for the walk, the various mesdames kitty. The prizes for the most walks went to Ros and for most Leading to Linda &  Toby. Having let it be known that I neither wanted nor expected anything, Julie then presented me with some lovely wine. Thanks!

In conclusion,  2026 is the 30th anniversary of the AWW . It looks to be going strong, still.

Geoff