AWW 24th April 2019 Font Filipe

                                                             "Only Sixteen"

I cancelled the walk at 07:00 (sent an email to all those who had contacted me) as when I got up it was tipping it down with rain. However by 09:00 the rain had stopped. It was still overcast and more rain was obviously to come. I was concerned that some poor soul would turn up anyway, so I donned my wet weather gear and off I went. I arrived at Font Filipe with a few minutes to spare of the scheduled start time

Sensibly no other Algarve Wednesday Walkers arrived. 

I was standing there dithering and trying to decide whether I should go home and put my feet up at the fire or should walk the route, when a minibus drew up and 15 Welsh Environmentalist Ladies On a Reconnaissance (WELORs) got off.

They had come from Wales to get some sun, warm weather and to carry out an environmental study on the wild flowers of the Algarve. They had planned to walk the PR route from the Fonte. However they advised that if I knew the area, they would love to join me. And they had brought their wet weather gear and if the  streams were in spate they had their "Staffs" to hold back the water, if required. The one on the right with the staff was called Noah

 THIS WAS A SIGN.

My route had been planned as "only 16" kms and with these 15 WELORs and me that made "16" walkers

I had considered asking them all their names to add to the blog, but as some of the ladies appeared to have some stubble on their chins, I thought it might not be politically correct.

So off we went. For the first 64 mins (only 16 *4) it was relatively rain free.

We went round the base of Cerro Negro.

and along a route where we had walked a few months ago.  I am always amazed at the changes that are progressing in the Algarve. 

They had installed the roof and built a fireplace. There was no "For Sale" so perhaps it will be on AIR BnB. And the weather had changed from January

As this was a trip to view the flora, the Cistus Ladanifer were mainly past their best.

But we did see one 6 petalled example, although it was a bit damp.

We passed a group of 16 bee hives set beside a sea of blue.

However there was no activity from the bees. They were sitting warm and dry at home.

It was muddy and slippery. Although there were 16 walkers the WELORs were determined to limit their environmental footprint so they just stood in my footprints.

And then the rain came and did not go away. 

It was fine. I am off to Scotland 2nd week in May to walk the Great Glen Way (Fort William to Inverness) and this was a fine way for getting into training and checking that no matter how good your wet weather gear is supposed to be, that at the end, you are still wet from toes to toupee (assuming that Donald was playing golf at his Scottish course).

I did feel as if I was at home.

As I trudged along I sang to myself, to maintain a rhythm: "Only 16" by Dr Hook. I am too young for the original release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olQNes_mq8I

Statistics

Walkers: 16 (myself plus 15 WELORs - what a load of rubbish)

Distance:16km

Time /km:16mins

Lunch stop: none as my sandwiches were too soggy

Total time: 16 squared mins = 2 hrs 16 mins.

Total elevation change: 256m = 16 squared m

Stream crossings: 16 but all dry

Lies: at least 16. But I actually did go out and walk it.

Map

Frank M

AWW 2019 04 17: A Wee Bit Rain and No Petrol

It´s not often that there is a blog about a walk that did not happen, but your blogger thought this one is merited. Merited not, he hastens to add, by any passing suspicions that the AWWs are getting soft. Not a bit of it. He would not dream of even suggesting that a wee bit of rain and some overly pessimistic prognostications of possible bad weather are enough to put the modern generation of AWWs  off.
No, it is just that, on this occasion, the pre-walk blurb by Jim and Gill is so colourful in itself that it simply has to be preserved for posterity and not lost in the deleted email files, with a few archive pics added just for fun.
Now read on:-

“Hi all
Please see Jim's description of next week's walk & let Gill know if you are intending to go.Geoff----
- Forwarded message -----From: Gillian Lamont <gilldelsud61@icloud.com
>To: "geoffrey.j.hill@btopenworld.com" <geoffrey.j.hill@btopenworld.com>Cc: "geoffrey.j.hill@btinternet.com" geoffrey.j.hill@btinternet.com(Geoff , btw, is our “Great Coordinator – see below)

Sent: Friday, 12 April 2019, 15:41:20 BST

Subject: AWW: EASTER - TRIG OUT WEST TO BORDEIRA, WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL, 2019

Whatever the outcome, this walk will be remembered! Firstly, it is our 2019 Easter walk.Secondly, it might not happen, our great coordinator has advised that attendance has been a bit thin recently so in Easter week a quorum might be an achievement! Thirdly it might not happen, latest forecast is for rain, maybe the only wet day in the next two weeks.OK, any who are available and who have not yet been put off, what do we have in store for you? I seek guidance from the great coordinator as I believe that the walk could be a first for the AWW - a world record opportunity - let me keep you in suspense a little longer.The Recce experiences have been wonderful - prepare your senses for overload. 

The walk combines village, rural, lakeland and coastal panoramas. The colour range is extraordinary - on land, the newest freshest Spring greens, mellow yellows abound and purples,blues,reds and whites, and at sea, oceans of blue,green and white. Springtime Lusitania maritima - an inspiration for Monet, Matisse, Versace et al.The ears and noses will also have a day to remember. Birds,bees and butterflies all seem to want to join, follow or lead the walk. Gill has remarked on the number of crickets jumping around her feet, which I put down to net practice for the upcoming summer ashes series! Around every corner, into each new valley or ocean headland, smell sensations await your capture.Now this walk will not be everyone's cup of cha - it's long, 22kms but it is not a difficult walk. We might struggle to find a practice hill for your Easter egg. It's not at all like the central Algarve ascents, the hills here are gentle damsels, only agreeing a first date with mother consent. So the goats might feel short changed, you know, those with that sort of Salir look!

 

 We are also going to jolly well John Hope to constrain the gazelles. There is a 4kms section of the walk on a recognised track but which is frequently just soft sand. This section reaches new muscle groups and is most likely to appeal to those who have tirelessly campaigned for porridge yomping to become an Olympic sport, currently it is a single venue event at the annual Ochyerhavnmeon Highland Games. (See editorial note below**)

Enough of the scene setting, let's get down to the Nitty Triggy!Despite the walk being at relatively low altitude and a total altitude gain of less than 500 metres, we have an opportunity to attempt to incorporate 3 that is THREE trig points!For the trigonometry fans, let's have a fest, bring your old school journals or if you did not attend such a school your jotters will do fine!

**(Note:your Blogger was a wee bit doubtful about the spelling of Ochyerhavnmeon; he would have expected it to be Auchyerhavnmeon.So he consulted the eminent Professor James “Jimmy” McGonigal, holder of the Chair of Linguistic Obscurities  at the University of Ecclefechan. Jimmy says “Although the Och  formation is sometimes seen, e.g. as in Ochtertyre in Perthshire,  the Ach or Auch  formation is much more widespread, as in Auchenblae.  Ach- (or Auch-) is from the Gaelic word meaning “field”. Ach is generally a prefix used in the lowlands, whereas Auch is the highland variety. Auchterarder for example is ‘the upland field of the high stream”, Auchinleck a flat stone field. A GPS reference for Ochyerhavnmeon would be useful so that I can study this further.”Thank you, Jimmy, for that.)

Enough of all this nonsense  - walk details are as follows:TIME: 10am, Wednesday 17 April, 2019MEETING POINT: BORDEIRA, Cafe in the village centre. It is best to park on the road as you approach the small old church just before the village centre.TERRAIN: As previously describedOFF PISTE: NoneDISTANCE: 22kmsTIME: 5 hoursDROP OUT: Not without a second referendum. Short or long extensions available.    Flextension not available  - a Johnny (Donald) Foreigner concept. (For the benefit of future generations, these remarks are contemporaneous references to minor political non-events.)RECCE: 100% completed March/April 2019.REFRESHMENTS EN ROUTE: None.WATER HAZARD: None envisaged.RISKS: As always all walkers participate at their own risk.DOGGY: A few aggressors in the first and last Kilometre, mainly tethered. Walkers may bring their own dogs at the owners discretion. Puddle and stream water available.DIRECTIONS: Follow A22 west to the roundabout at the end of the motorway and take the second exit right onto N120 signpost ALJEZUR. Continue for approx 8kms and at top of hill, turn left signpost ALFAMBRAS and MTE RUIVO and continue for approx 5kms to a T junction and turn left on to N268 signpost SAGRES and continue for approx 5kms and on crossing a bridge at the bottom of the valley turn left into BORDEIRA. It is better to park on the road as you approach the old church just before the village centre. Abide by the "no parking" signs although we have no recollection of having seen GNR presence.MAP REF: 37.1962587N.  - 8.8621310W.CONTACT: Please let Gill know if you are coming, email - gilldelsud61@icloud.comNUMBERS: No limit!TRIG POINTS: THREE!!!CANCELLATION: If there is heavy rain, by 08.00hrs on Wednesday morning. Please check before setting off.

In the event, the walk was called off the evening before because of the bad weather,  very much, one would guess, to Jim and Gill´s regret, because their enthusiasm for the recces, the walk and the countryside can certainly be sensed in their blurb. But, with the benefit of hindsight, given the current petrol tanker men´s strike over pay and the fact that most petrol stations in the Algarve have now run out of gas , perhaps that was just as well . It would not have done for the AWWs to have run out of fuel.on their way home and to have had to walk, would it ? 

In the old days, veteran AWWs used to come prepared for a drop or two of rain.

 

Postscript

The Blog having been published, Clan Lamont then emailed the following full disclosure of  what went on behind the scenes.


Sore ribs this morning - loved the blog!

For information and completeness  (FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!)

On Tuesday at 18.40hrs we emailed Geoff to notify cancellation because of the weather forecast, which he circulated at 18.55hrs. At 18.30hrs it looked as if we would have a maximum of 14 walkers but by 18.55 all bar two (who were unaware of the threatening environment) had cancelled because of the fuel shortages, apparently before they had read our weather related cancellation. Jim emailed Geoff about amazing walk cancellation story, fuel shortages and civil unrest. The invitation for the walk had hinted at the possibility of cancellation from lack of numbers or weather but even the creativity of the author could never have envisaged that ultimately cancellation would be as the result of a break down in civil society - a first for the AWW! Conspiracy theorists will be consumed by this for years - proximity to 25 April!

On Wednesday morning Jim decided that perhaps the circumstances of the cancellation  should be put on record and he emailed Geoffrey  " Do you want me to do a blog for today's walk - AWW: THE WALK THAT NEVER HAPPENED?  or I could aim for another AWW first - EASTER 2019 - A VIRTUAL BORDEIRA WALK?"

and the email ended "I am now going out to see if I can find some fuel so I might be out for some time..."

A reply was received from the great coordinator indicating that as a walk had not taken place, a blog would not be necessary ( perhaps you should forward this as further evidence to be considered by the AWW Philosopher in Residence)

What amazes us of your walk blog is that it not only mirrors much of what Jim would have hoped to capture but also that it is also a virtual walk - the flower photo we hoped would be in everyone's album of the walk - you know where our walk would have taken us!

Thank you for such amusement and as reward we insist that you participate when the walk is rescheduled! On the co-ordinates for "Och.. or Auch..." Jim may have mispelled (Kilwinning scooled!) and Jim will look out his jotters before we meet again but we have to advise that Jim did not major in tryginometry.

Ciao!
Gill & Jim

PPS

Currently, there is a vacancy for the post of AWW Philosopher in Residence: nominations, please, to the Great Coordinator.

 

AWW 10 April 2019 : HERE WE GO AGAIN! PARADISE LOST!

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

PARADISE LOST!

Many AW Walkers will remember my first attempt to discover the hills around of Barranco do Velho; and, as I’m sure you all know, this was a second attempt – hence the walk was named “Here We Go Again”, which just happened to be the second Mamma Mia film set on the Greek island of Kalokairi. The Greek connection expanded into calling this upland area of the Barrocal the “Elysian Hills” of Barranco (Elysium, of course, being the Paradise all Greek Heroes aspired to after death. As it was to be, that bit of Paradise was a tad difficult to find . . .

First of all, my mates Artemis and Aphrodite let me down at the last minute. They obviously had better things to do - perhaps hunting stags or loving it up somewhere exotic rather than striding out with the Ambrosian Wet Walkers on Wednesday!

Through the distant efforts of our illustrious coordinator on Mount Olympus we eventually had eight walkers – well, we should have had eight walkers!  The first half-dozen of us congregated at the meeting point, Tia Bia Restaurant at Barranco do Velho, at 10.00; however two were missing. I received a call soon after from Sarah and Scott informing us they had ended up in Loulé, some 30 minutes away. As it was by now 10.05, we had little option but to leave them to the gods – or at least to enjoy a sightseeing trip around the town (or, perhaps, to luxuriate somewhere with Aphrodite!) and decided to start our odyssey without them.

This intrepid group of Argonauts were:

Alan, our deputy photographer, Trish, Martin, David, Roger, Me on the far left and, of course a brace of dogs: an excited, ready for the off, Baxter and a calm Jasper hiding behind David.

So, we were off - to finish what we had started many months earlier. On that occasion we only managed 10 kms due to Biblical conditions that prevailed at the time. As we headed off from Tia Bia we took a turn into the Serra do Alto path, at which I decided, at the T-junction, to take a slight detour in order to show my fellow Argonauts what could be an interesting Grand Design project - and I just happen to know an architect!

Heading back on the same path we passed the Fonte do Chafariz where Trish found an interesting oven shaped object.  We then followed around the back of the Institute of Forestry where we headed downhill until a slight rise led us up to a tarmac road.

Any ideas what it could be?  Answers on the blog, please.

Shortly after, we took a lovely path that we ascended over a ridge. Despite some early negative forecasts (which Oracle was that?) - no rain! The sun even popped out. What else could we want? It was a good track but I realised that it wasn’t the one on my notes, so we turned around. This should have been a Cassandra-like warning of doom – but it wasn’t heeded.

Soon we found another path going across the valley heading to a main road bridge where we were supposed to cross a water course. We began by descending a steep, rocky path. All safely down – er, well, nearly! Roger took a tumble at this point; however, Hero that he is, he soon regained his usual calm self.

We headed down to the tarmac road, with me desperately looking for the bridge crossing. but couldn't find it. I think someone had moved it!!!  I had been told by some of the Walkers that the local Concelho had recently employed a number of civil engineering machines to do some earth-moving in the vicinity. So, was it those big yellow thingies that had stolen my bridge?!! Anyway, having not found the crossing, we all agreed to head uphill off the tarmac for a little while. But after a short distance we gained a view across to where I’d hoped to have attained a safe route; however before us lay a deep valley crossing. So that’s when we turned around and headed back to the main road - still looking for THAT BRIDGE CROSSING! It was clearly not there. So we turned back in the direction of Barranco do Velho and by now we were more than ready to have a lunch break.

Where is that bridge crossing? I will find it.

Jasper was clearly not relaxed - eyeing up everyone’s lunch. David, did you not feed him this morning?

Beautiful wild Lavender displays.

After lunch we decided to make our way back to Barranco do Velho, having not found that darned bridge so, as an afterthought, I decided to make an ad hoc loop of the village.

This route afforded amazing views across the valley where we sighted, in the distance, the village of Salir. Giving me the opportunity for a Yorkshire moment:  “You can see our ‘ouse from oop ‘ere!”

Heading for the main road to finish the last part of the loop.

We passed some very busy, noisy Bees’ hives flanking our route on both sides. This was rather daunting but we all safely passed with no stings. Eventually we made the return part of the loop and into the village where we retired to Tia Bia Restaurant where we started,  for well-earned Ambrosia or two! Here we met up with the "purse lady”, Sue.  She had hobbled along on her injured calf to give us a jolly welcome as we arrived at the finish. Joining us for post-walk drinks – purse in hand - she was determined to collect this week's takings in person. Somehow, apparently, no funds had been taken after the previous week's walk.  Oh, dear.... someone will go short at Christmas!!

Trusting or not? Ebenezer comes to mind!!

What can I say.... thank you to all for being understanding and patient with me. Think my head was still in the Alps on planks of wood! So we never did find the Paradise of those Elysian Hills

But I DID find that bridge . . . . .

Thanks to Alan for stepping in as our Deputy Photographer.  Great mix of images.

Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Length: 15kms

And here, dear readers, as an extra bonus, is David's version of "Where's the Bridge ?".. I guess we'll have to await Barranco do Velho Mark 3 to find out.....Geoff

The Ballad of Jansbridge. An

Updulator Original.

(Note. This is a Narrowside Ballad.

Thinner than the others and less artistic.)

T’was on a cool but pleasant morning

Six set out upon a quest

They were set on finding Jansbridge

But was it north, south, east or

west?

What do we want?  Jansbridge!

Our leader surely had the answer

All the clues were in her hand

So with confidence we strode forward

O’er the undulating land.

When do we want it?   Now!

Up a steep hill, down another,

Cross a road and up again

But no bridge could we discover

Maybe a bridge too far, ye ken?

What’s it like?   Well…

It’s in a dip, along the tarmac

With a streamlet underneath

Clear straight path starting beyond

it

Taking us across the heath.

Are we there yet?     Erm…..

  

Now the world has lots of bridges

Millions, in every land

Golden Gate to simple clapper

Steady as a rock they stand

Is it this one?       Nope, sorry.

Jansbridge isn’t like these others

Doesn’t seem to stay in place

Wanders off across the landscape

Disappears without a trace

Can you see it from here?    Not quite….

Think it has ideas of grandeur

Off across the sea it steals

Maybe it’s gone to bridge the Volga?

Stretching it a bit, one feels

Just a bit further.     Right – o

 

Severn, London, old Transporter

They’re all solid, there to stay

But, we wonder, two hours later

Is Jansbridge a fairy way?

Jan, can we go for a beer?  Nope.

Does it come and go like scotch mist

Here by night and not by day?

Does it have a magic shield

That hides its arching shape away?

I’m hungry. Shut up and eat your

nuts.

One of the party got quite worried

If Jansbridge has gone afar

There’ll be a big gap in the roadway

Should we call the GNR?

 

I think we should have turned left

after ten minutes.   Put that stick

down!!

Back where we started, Sagres calling

We were not allowed a break

Even though Jansbridge had vanished

There were extra steps to take

I do not like this game, let us play

another one.

Finally we made the café,

Sitting down, bemused and sad

Wondering what became of Jansbridge

Laughing at the fun we had

Well, I didn’t think that was very

funny…..  Don’t come next time then…..

Shan’t…..

So all you who walk the hillsides

Over by Barranco V

Don’t go looking out for Jansbridge

It’s a mirage, don’t you see?

You might have said before we

started…..  Wouldn’t have been any fun

then would it……