Tip-toe to the Tapas.
As the end of another season approached, it was time for the now traditional end-of-term walk with nosh. As we now have an eatery worthy of the name in Salir, it seemed appropriate to introduce the AWWs to it, hence the venue for this year´s event. And a good choice it proved to be. The arrangement was a for a one-way walk from Barranco do Velho down to Salir (the ´ down´ received a number of positive responses), followed by lunch at Janela da Serra, near the church.
The preamble involved the usual flurry of acceptances and backwords, but in the event we had exactly the number of people I had originally booked for - except that someone stole in while I wasn´t looking, and so we had 21 instead of the 20 I had on my list. So, the whole party consisted of the following - with non-walkers and their various excuses included:
Ros (ex KOTK)(had to put you first, having missed you off the information mailing!) John H (Hon Phot), Yves (Hon Phot App), Maria (´Flower Power´, Trig Climber Extraordinary), Jim H (Recently inducted into the secrets of AWW leadership), Steve (welcome strengthening of the Northern Connection) Roger and Trish (now that Roger´s arm is better, the dogs had to be drummed up as cover for wanting a lie-in, and Trish had to make his breakfast in bed), Eileen (must have been spending too much time with Yves, phoned in lost.), Jan (fresh from trying to locate a certain Italian up near Odeceixe), Martin (the Irish are also establishing themselves in the group these days) with friend/guest Gary, Miriam (don´t know if Bica has eaten Ken, mistaking him for a ham sandwich, but she wasn´t saying) Isabel and partner Tony, (adding further to the truly international make-up of the group with a transatlantic connection - and arriving in style in a rather arresting automobile), and four more guests strong-armed along by Jan - Tony, Julie, Karen and Steve, who all seemed no worse for their encounter with us when they left - but side effects can take some time to show, as we know), plus me and t´wife.
Bica and Jasper came along to keep us all in order.
All bar one of those expected found their way to the church at Salir in good time, and after some to-ing and fro-ing, all embarked in four cars for the fifteen minute drive up to Barranco. Dinah then disappeared, to rejoin us for lunch. One or two immediately found their way into the cafe at the Tia Bia (the cafe across the road appears to have closed) for refreshment (probably wise, as we were leaving the cars in their car-park all day!), but eventually, the Hon. Phot. got us all assembled for the compulsory pic before departure - and here we all are:
We set off at a good speed to walk north along the ridge from Barranco, following the Via Algarviana markers and admiring once more the magnificent view down to Salir and beyond. The weather was following the usual/unusual pattern for this year - cool, with plenty of cloud cover, and a good breeze. One advantage of the peculiar weather pattern is the longevity of the wildflowers, with the cistus still in full bloom.
A brief stop at the restored windmill base after around 3k prompted Maria to re-claim her rightful place at trig-mounter, so the Hon. Phot. had no choice but to record the event.
Back on the trail, we completed the ridge walk in record time, at something like 4.8kph, and began the descent to the valley.
No better way to spend a morning.....
Karen and Julie enjoying the knee-jangling descent.
Bica and Jasper came along to keep us all in order.
All bar one of those expected found their way to the church at Salir in good time, and after some to-ing and fro-ing, all embarked in four cars for the fifteen minute drive up to Barranco. Dinah then disappeared, to rejoin us for lunch. One or two immediately found their way into the cafe at the Tia Bia (the cafe across the road appears to have closed) for refreshment (probably wise, as we were leaving the cars in their car-park all day!), but eventually, the Hon. Phot. got us all assembled for the compulsory pic before departure - and here we all are:
We set off at a good speed to walk north along the ridge from Barranco, following the Via Algarviana markers and admiring once more the magnificent view down to Salir and beyond. The weather was following the usual/unusual pattern for this year - cool, with plenty of cloud cover, and a good breeze. One advantage of the peculiar weather pattern is the longevity of the wildflowers, with the cistus still in full bloom.
A brief stop at the restored windmill base after around 3k prompted Maria to re-claim her rightful place at trig-mounter, so the Hon. Phot. had no choice but to record the event.
Back on the trail, we completed the ridge walk in record time, at something like 4.8kph, and began the descent to the valley.
No better way to spend a morning.....
Look at me, please!
As you can see, we paused at the valley floor to adjust to the change in air pressure before moving on. Shortly, we crossed a small stream (the water-courses have reduced to a trickle now, thankfully) and climbed the low ridge to the west, before descending again slowly. Crossing a second water course, we began the lowland trek towards Salir, now clearly visible ahead.
Steve and Martin, determined to be seen!
On reaching what used to be the concrete road towards the Ames Residence, we were amazed to find new tarmac instead. Loule Concelho do have lots of dough! However, one feature remains - the last remnants of The Algarve Way, slowly fading on a rock.
Passing chez Ames, we found a second, more visible cistus stencil, but Hon. Phot. was not there to record. Then it was on through the somewhat overgrown paths through Arneiro and finally onto the main road and up the cruelly steep final hill to the church and our lunch.
My car had refused to start, so Jim gallantly agreed to take the drivers back to Barranco to collect the other cars. I was given a push - No, not the push, Ros - you do get a second chance in this outfit, you know - my car started on the hill and I took his majesty, aka Jasper, home.
Meanwhile, it was agreed that we would have a selection of tapas dishes rather than individual choice, so Luis and his brilliant chef got to work on the marathon cooking session, while the group settled down in warm sunshine to await the results.
Lunchtime saw us seated at a table so long I could scarcely see who was at the other end, but Luis single-handedly served us all with dish after dish of tempting stuff. a remarkable tour de force. Jan very kindly thanked yours truly, and I later responded, including a big thankyou to waiter and cook!
And that was that. We hope that our guests will join us again. We Salirians also hope that others will come back to the Janela da Serra, as we want to keep it going. Please tell your friends!
One more walk to end the season. With the weather as it is, we could probably keep going, but the powers that be will surely throw the switch before long. Thank you to all who have helped in any way this year - a special mention to Sue M, who has taken over as KOTK, and who could not be with us because of family commitments.
Below the stats, you will see some more pics, from Yves. Thanks to both Hon. Phots for these excellent reminders.
The All-important (?) stats:
Distance: 12.8k
Time: 3 hrs 10 mins (but I came in long way last so all were quicker.)
Moving average: 4.7 kph
Elevation gain: 355 metres
Elevation loss: 595 metres
And the track:
Hon Phot gets his moment... and the search for the mythical ten-pointer goes on.....
Looks like a HHH takeover!
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