AWW 9th October 2019 Barrosas Malhao

The walk leader is good at finding walking routes (he says) but as a cameraman he is USELESS.

This was the first attempt to take the starting photo.

NO. I did not attempt to take a photo of a piece of cork on the ground

Next, I pointed the camera in right direction, but the earthquake caused them to "shake"

Frank M, Sue M, Jim, and Jasper. Finally, David took a photo of an old pile of cork

It was a select few who wanted to walk up to Malhao in the October heat. The leader brought his electronic map as he had not recced the route this season and was intending taking a never to be trodden path "by him" to ensure that we got our full 16km in.

Café Paraiso da Serra in the village of Barrosas was buzzing at the start and Jim had trouble getting himself an "abatando" never mind a little bit of milk in it. But suitably refreshed we were off at 09:30. 

We started climbing, but it was a relatively gently gradient, just continuous. 

After about an hour, we stopped to have a look at the views and to ensure that Jasper was fine.

Sue offering Jasper some food

Jasper eating Sue's hand

Sue didn't appear to be bothered being mauled, as the views were great.

The view up to Malhao

The view to the south with Rocha da Pena to the right of centre

We passed the Buddhist retreat centre and just before Malhao village we heard the tinkle of THE BELLS and turned the corner to find the goats in the vineyard

Fifty metres on, we came upon the aged goatherd, sitting in the shade, with his trusty dog by his side. As we past, we waved and grunted. But then I thought I saw him pulling his iPhone 12GTX out of his pocket and his fingers flying over the keypad. I assumed that he was sending advance notice to all the dogs in the village so that they could be forewarned and ready to bark as we turned each corner. They did.

We journeyed on and arrived at the café in Malhao at 11:25.

Sue and David had been setting the pace and Jim and I ambled behind.

We sat at the café and had a leisurely lunch.

I blame it on Smart Phones: the art of conversation is dead

At midday we departed and set off downhill. We successfully took the unknown path and arrived back at Barrosas at 13:55. As is common, less photos get taken on the second half of the walk as the photographer gets tired and all he wants to do is get to the beer.

My beer was the empty one on the back right

Details of walk

Route

Sometime I wonder if we should be like the Grand Old Duke of York and only march up the hill (main road) and down again. I would be much faster and shorter.

Hills

Distance   16.11km
Speed         4.2km/hr
Temp         27Deg C - warm at the end
Time          4hrs 20mins (includes lunch)

Frank M
10/10/2019