4 November 2026 – Ribeiro Da Ameira

 

AWW Walk report – 4 November 2026 – Ribeiro Da Ameira 

After congregating at Café Andre the leader tried to round up the troops ready to drive in convoy to the starting point.  Then the phone rang to say 2 walkers were late, having taken a wrong turning.  Finally, we headed off with a convoy of 7 cars.

A big group today with 21 walkers and one dog.  Tony, Ros, Steve, Tim, Jim, Peter, Steve, Jan, 2 x Karens, Debbie, Bev, Linda, Mike, Sue, Julie, Mark, Gill, Fiona, Dee and Geoff (the photographer).  Plus, Toby dog.

Over to commander Toby dog to try and lead the collection of retired humans, all armed with walking sticks and questionable fitness levels.  Tail up, nose down, morale is high, smells are everywhere.

The humans begin their slow march and take their time over the two river crossings. 

I bravely sniff a tree while waiting for the platoon to catch up.

Jan posed for a photo with the scarcrow in her new winter outfit.

Then the phone call comes.  One human has fallen behind and cannot find the unit.  The remainder of the troops are told to stand down and await further orders.  A few sweets are handed around whilst some take photographs of the baragem.

Private Wandered was placed on report for failing to inform the commanding officer of his whereabouts.  Causing unnecessary panic among the troops and delaying the entire operation.

I was finally given the signal all present and correct and Captain Mannering advised the group to stay together and could we have a back marker.  Mark volunteered.  He was keeping score of all the many toilet breaks

The terrain became a bit tougher as we headed up the animal tracks but there was a lovely cooling breeze at the top.

We walked past the new Photovoltaic power station.  There were some very interesting smells coming from the land behind the fence.

We rested at a very wobbly bench before heading down the other side of the valley past the new caravan homes.

I dropped off for a cooling swim in the baragem before we stopped off for lunch at the old ruin.  It provided the perfect military bivouac.  Rations were deployed, feet were rested and the commanding officer supervised closely to ensure no food went missing.

Some were comparing knee decorations.

Back on manoeuvres, tackling another overgrown rocky track.  Morale was questionable, legs were protesting but no troops were lost.

No more hills and just one more easy water crossing then the sanctuary of the cars was in site.  The distance walked was either 12.5kms or 13kms depending on the device used.

Back at the café there was laughter and plenty of chatter.  Jan kindly organised the drinks for everyone. 

Thanks also to Geoff for taking the photographs and trying to keep the troops in line.

Thank you for joining us on our manoeuvres today. 

Sergeant Woof, Commanding Officer, Royal Regiment of Ramblers.  Four paws on the ground – nose to the wind – tail held high. We never leave a walker behind.

Toby dog and dog handler Linda.

 

 

The Beast in The East - A walk from Santa Caterina da Fonte do Bispo

There is something special about setting off on a walk on a sunny morning in the Algarve hills. The air is fresh, the sky is a beautiful shade of blue, and the countryside seems to invite you to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of being outdoors.

Our walk began in Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, a charming village tucked away in the hills of the eastern Algarve, surrounded by rolling landscapes, ancient olive groves and the timeless beauty of rural Portugal.

If you ever find yourself in this part of Portugal, take a morning to wander into the hills. You may come back with tired legs, a camera full of photographs and, best of all, a feeling of having truly escaped for a while.

Sometimes, the best adventures are right there on your doorstep.

Sunshine, open hills and the quiet beauty of the Algarve — a perfect morning on foot.

Well that’s enough of that BS. From Artificial Intelligence to Human No-intelligence !!

The walk started well. Our professional photographer asked for the Usual Suspects lineup against the cemetery wall. Some wits would say how appropriate!!

From left to right: Carol, Jan, Tony, Peter, Julie, Ros, Mark, Karen, Bev, Alan, Steve C., Richard, Keiran, Fiona, Liam, Martin, Rafa and last but not least, Steve S.

Up the hill to get out of Santa Caterina and everyone warmed up but not too far up. Then we left the tarmac on a track into the valley and a little shade.

I did say that there were some uphills.  Just a little up!!

Then slightly less up.

There are always interesting conversations on the AWW. We found out that Jan and myself  prefer it dry and a little salty who would have thought. Steve C. explained to Steve S. that it's not like this, it's just like that.  Is there a bit of a bromance there?

Yay, a downhill track and who doesn't love going down ?

Through the hamlet then round and down to the very dry Alportel river close to Varzeas de Vinagre.

The fun bit of the walk was the flat but stony walk along the river bed I would have liked to have said that we walked on water but there wasn’t any. Or not much!!

The was a small pool as I had indicated in the description  Full of fish and one very happy dog.

Peter and his giant pole, apparently for me to keep everyone in order. Got my hands on Peter’s pole. 

Martin thought he’d get some public school practice in. I suspect Ros was hiding her head in shame. I leave that to everyone's imagination.

Back off the river to walk up to Barroso. This was the 5% I hadn’t recced.

Oh dear perhaps a little too off piste which was a quite piste off for some. For my sins I was subjected to the constant annoyance of little picks. However the walkers were very forgiving.  Shades of that lost tribe or the distant canal!  This was followed by the hill of doom.  Not the sting in the tail but further up the anatomy!! Great views though and a handy stop for lunch.

Yes it was that steep.  There was a bit of breather for some of us at the top as one unfortunate had to go back to the lunch stop to see if they had left their phone..No name and shame on this blog.

Going down to the main track.  Unfortunatly once on the main track it was back up. Well I did say uppy/downy.

Down(yes) to the tarmac road which would lead back to Santa Catarina.  I conferred with my navigational support (Steve C.) to look for a way back without trotting along tne tarmac or having to do the sting in the tail (now definitely a hill toooooo far).   After a democratic vote we decided to follow the part of the PR10 back towards a road into town. Peter, always his own man, walked back on the road.

Cafe at last. I think the cold drinks and opportunities to purchase fabulous cakes and bread meant that I was forgiven. Anyway, we charge 3 euros so I don’t want people to feel they haven’t had their money’s worth on a walk.

My thanks to Alan for the photographs, Steve C. for the navigational support, Carol for saying put more smut in the blog and everyone for joining me on the walk.

The Vital Statistics:

Distance:        12.34 kms

Climb:             341 m (yes only that.  It felt like a lot more)

Moving Time:    3h 12m

Total Time:        4h 17m