On a relatively cool and blustery morning we gathered at the cafe Paraiso da Serra at Barrosas: it was still hot, but significantly cooler than the last 2 Wednesday’s.
There were 7 of us plus Bica.
Backpacks were substantially larger than last week. Some advised they had brought more water, but I did notice that other strategies had been adopted to dull the pain of the walk.
I will not say to whom that backpack belonged, but I thought it a bit unfair when it was strapped onto Bica. She is a bit small for this burden
The first 8 1/2km was planned to be an ascent to Malhao. The gradient was not too steep, but as we came out into the open it was beginning to get warm. Heads went down.
So we stopped and immediately they all (except Miriam and Bica) got out their phones to check the temperature
As we were about to cross the road to the north of Malhao, there was a light in the sky and strange music was heard. we looked up and there was this unearthly BEING: very thin but with a large globular head looking down on us.
We turned and ran. But only to encounter other unearthly objects.
To ward off the evil spirits and as Maria was not in attendance, some of the men in the team climbed the especially tall trig point, while the women kept a lookout in case the ETs were following us.
As we travelled on our fears were allayed when we met a “lucky” Chinese dragon.
We arrived at the cafe in Malhao. We were tired, so we sent two of our number over to negotiate a lift back down to the start. Unsuccessful, but being men they told us how many kilowatts they put out.
Then it was down the hill and through the valley back to Barrosas.
Technical details
Distance: 13.34km
Elevation change 498m
Total Time 3:51
Time Walking 3:26
Average Pace 3.89km/hr
Frank M
No comments:
Post a Comment