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……