Around the other Bordeira.

Wednesday 18th Feb 2026 and our AWW walk was around the environs of Bordeira; not the one near Aljezur but the rather larger place just north of Faro.  Who knew?   The main industry of Bordeira was was digging rocks out o' t' ground.    That's why there is so much bl**y stone everywhere. 

Fourteen of us met at Cafe Pinto in the center of Bordeira.  Its where everyone meets,  a community center, secretariat, post office, place were deals are made, couriers are met and groups of walkers enjoy a heartening coffee prior to setting out on their endeavours.    Eee by heck aren't we a handsome bunch.

Here's t' map if you can figure it out.

...and the profile for those who think we actually climbed some hills.

First task get out of the village.  Up 't road and turn left, short walk and tarmac and we are out in easy country.

Continuing north, up an old rock strewn, green lane without any broken ankles and I didn't even hear any complaints...

...carried on up easier tracks to cross the CM1305 and

 ...started a steep climb on calçada and then onto tarmac that took as passed the tennis and paddle courts and back into fields and tracks traversing below several expensive villas mid construction.

Did we miss a turn?  No of course not.  Our leader knew exactly where he was going....

...even if the rest of 'em didn't have a clue.

More lovely villas ....

...and pretty tracks.

We followed the contours along a vehicle track stopping for Roz' traditional licourice stop, before heading back down the hill into the valley and up the other side to arrive in the small village of Agostos, where the engineers among us marvelled at the rats nest of cabling on the telegraph poles, minor by Indian standards.

Linda in her flower power strides accompanied by Toby sniffing a turd, 💩.  "I know I'm at the back but they've all gone the wrong way.  If I speed up I can overtake them."

But enough of this easy walking, it was time to climb the Cerro de Guilhim.  "What? You mean we're going up there!"  We were indeed but I soothed their furrowed brows with a promise that we were not going up the one in three climb straight up to the trig point but taking the slightly longer but easier route up the side.

So we set off on the "easy route".  Aw look at them.  Trusting souls.  Suckers!!

Easy does it now.  Wind 'em in slow and easy like.

Now that's more like it.  A little more of a challenge.

Its easy this climbin' lark!

At last we reach the trig.

"What? Windy up here.  No! It's just a breeze."

Having almost turned back half way up to the Cerro, John kept on going, slowly but surely and finally sauntered down the other side to the lunch stop.

If you don't take that camera out of my face you know where this sandwich is going to go!

And then it was back down the hill with Estoi in the distance.

                     Our Chairman .... in his chair.

"Are you serious? I don't believe a word your sayin'."

The magnificent Bordeira falls.     

Martin about to give Linda a helping hand for a quick dip.  Naughty Boy!

The last kilometre or so through the  olive grows up the Bordeira valley....

...and back to the Cafe Pinto for a well earned drink.

Books for sale.  That all assumes they can actually read!

Mesopotamia or Between Two Rivers. 11th February 2026

 At last a day with little or no rain forecast! Yay, we're walking!  Why between 2 rivers? Because we were walking between (or along) the Bengado and the Alportel.

A great start. there were nine of us, old enough to know better but daft enough to not care.  The coffee was not so great.  It was like the coffee had been introduced to the hot milk at a genteel tea dance and they were not yet well aquainted.  AWW members should ask Martin about the gloved hand!!  I, of course, didn't understand any of the other meanings behind the actions and explanations as my mind is as pure as the driven snow.

The happy walkers at the cafe.

L .R Steve, Peter, Linda, Toby, Karen, Julie, Sue, Geoff, Martin  Tony behind the camera

It was all going so well for the first 3 minutes then Tony, who had recced the route, led the front walkers astray. Good job I have a reasonably loud voice, when needed.  Off down a very slippery back passage.  Nobody likes a slippery back passage but there were no accidents.  

On to a very good flat, if wet, track.

Toby made a new friend, a very handsome hound.  We should have got him to join the AWW.

Mud, mud, glorious mud.  Nothing quite like it for making your roof and floor tiles.

Well, everyone knew that there had to be an uphill out of the Bengado valley. Onward and upward.

A bit of a break on the ridge which led to a disscussion on liking or not liking it rigid. I, of course, didn't understand the other meanings behind the actions and explanations as my mind is as pure as the driven snow.

Along the ridge with the Alportel to our left behind the hills and the Bengado down in the valley to our right.   Sadly no extensive views but great company made up for that. Uppy and downy as we say on the Hash. We missed the boundary stone marker between Sao Bras de Alportel and Santa Catarina Fonte de Bispo, but nobody complained about walking over two municipalities.

Yes it is a f**ing caravan.  Hash joke especially for Jan who's enjoying tne sunshine in distant climes.

A very steep downhill which couldn't be avoided without crossing full streams. Everyone knows I'm not good at going down. If in doubt, ask Tony.

  Geoff and Sue took the cautious approach.     

A paws for thought Toby?

Peter looked at the very muddy up and said we had dirty minds. I replied, we'll have dirty feet.  I, of course, didn't understand as my mind is as pure as the driven snow.  Still no extensive views but interesting close-ups.

Off on a short loop down into the valley and the riverside, avoiding the hamlet with free range  chickens.  Poor Toby, spoiling his fun.   There were lots of questions about a lunch stop but we did have a place in mind.

A very convenient concrete post and a welcome break for lunch.

When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightening or next week's walk?  We're really practising our balance.

Back along the Bengado valley and an uphill towards the N270.  The water was turning the path into a new river.

Never argue with the walk leader.

Linda demonstrates how to cross on stepping stones for when the rivers have become less swollen. Toby demonstrates the big tough boy way to cross a river.

Sue had come prepared for the weather.

You know you've been waiting for it-yes, we were going up the back passage.  I, of course, don't understand the other meanings as my mind is as pure as the driven snow. The reward, a welcome drink in the cafe.   This time the coffees were much better. More like the coffee and milk had carnal knowledge of each other.

The stats

About 13 kms
About 280 metres of climb

Walking Time about 3.5 hours