Back in 2016, to help commemorate 20 years of the AWW, Paul asked for contributions from all AWWs on when they joined the Algarve Wednesday Walkers. This is what he asked:-
"Grateful if addressees could let me know of their involvement with AWW, ie. month and date of first walk, roughly how often they participated/led, when they stopped (if not still active), and any significant events they care to recall."
His site is still active at :
To help commemorate the 25 years of the AWW, due in 2021, this is an updated version , to now include not only the original walkers ( with updates as appropriate) but also the new blood. I trust you find it interesting: it needs to be a living document, so please feel free to update it as you wish. Just send any contributions to me.
Geoff
The Cistus
Firstly, I'd like to just mention that the cistus has long been the unoffical emblem of the AWW.
One harmless pastime is to count the spots : here is a 9 pointer , but perhaps we can have a
collection for all the types?
In fact, back in the day when some of the original AWWs were forging the original Algarve Way ( precursor to the Via Algarviana ), the track was marked with these symbols .Here is David painting one , though Terry Ames did almost all of the painting. Dinah ( David's wife) made the stencils, and David took GPS readings, noted landmarks and made notes. All of that went onto the AW website, which is sadly no more, apart from this header:
Though they are now faded, this is one I took by the Arade in 2016...David still has all the materials. Any budding artists out there?
Below are the replies in no particular order.
I joined the AWW.....
ROD
Having done a fair amount of walking in Spain and looking to carry on when I retired in the Algarve 20 years ago, I came across Maurice Clyde as a possible source of good walking here. By chance he was on the point of founding the AWW (or OCDAW- Os Caminhadores do Algarve Walkers as he then called it. This was a splinter group for «striders» (as opposed to «strollers»!) from his existing Saturday Walkers group. So I was able to join it from its very beginning. For the first 6 months or so the leadership was delegated to one Alan Boak who based the walks on the splendid guide book written by the pioneering June Parker. Early numbers were few but membership grew and the object of many of the walks then became the reconnoitring of the future Algarve Way / Via Algarviana, the first memorable full crossing of which was in October 1998 completed by a group of seven worthy folk (and 5 dogs) of which I was fortunate to be one. APAA was the beneficiary of the charitable side of this. As a sideline I also completed three further crossings on horseback for charities so I lay claim to be the first (and possibly the only?) person to have completed the Via Algarviana on two legs and on four!
I have absolutely no idea how many walks I have been on, nor how many I have led; early walks did not have the benefit of GPS, digital cameras, smart phones nor indeed anyone keeping official records. In any event I don´t think I have lost anyone (at least for very long!) on walks I have led, and I have never let on how many times I have got lost, but then managing to extricate myself, without anyone knowing! Over the 20 years I think I have covered a great deal of our wonderful Algarve and have immensely enjoyed ten Round the Corner walks which became such an institutional part of AWW activities. Apart from that I have very much enjoyed introducing some members to the pleasures of walking in Spain on three or four occasions.
In the last couple of years age and ague have begun taking their toll, not only on me I would hasten to add, which has led to the formation of another splinter group, the WAGS. Their aspirations in terms of distance and speed are rather more modest and leave the more challenging walks to the core AWW and maybe to other odd splinter groups with different aspirations.
Like all groups the AWW has had its ups and downs, its grumbles, disputes and differences of opinions, but through it all overall numbers have remained strong and walks generally well attended (even too well on occasions!). The AWW has generally relied on a somewhat limited number of volunteer leaders, Hon. Secs., photographers and blog writers, but somebody has always stepped into the breach ensuring continuity and a sense of community. Above all however the AWW has provided us with many hours of camaraderie, exercise, conversation and the endless pleasure of the countryside in which we have chosen to live. To me those are its real values, and a fitting memorial to its creator, Maurice Clyde. Viva e Força AWW!
MYRIAM
Being a person with very little sense of orientation, I seldom venture out walking by myself in unfamiliar places. For years, my walking experience was limited to taking the dogs out to Meia Praia Beach, to Palmares Golf Course and the vicinity around my house.
In September 1995, I chanced to glance at an advertisement about a walk led by some "Estrangeiros", under the name of Algarve Walkers. My first walk with them was at Cortes/Amarosa, led by a Maurice Clyde. When I approached the "reception table" in the cafe, my diminutive stature aroused some doubts. I was politely informed that the walk would be about 10 km. and whether I was prepared to walk for 3 hours!!
But Esme and Maurice were very welcoming. They made me feel at ease among all the strong, tall walkers!! And walking with them opened a whole new Algarve to me. Such calm, beautiful and unspoilt landscape!!
Since then I joined the monthly walk of the Algarve Walkers whenever I was in the Algarve. In 1996, the stronger walkers thought the once-a-month Saturday walk was not enough and too short for their long legs. Eventually a weekly Wednesday Walk was formed. I was fortunately invited to join them!! In those days, most of the routes were east of Silves. Very often as far as the Spanish border. I remember having to leave Lagos at 6 am, to arrive for 10.00 am start!! There was only the EN 125, and an early start also gave me allowance to get lost!!
Very soon, Wednesday walk became a highlight of the week. My two dogs and I became regular participants. The cherry on the cake was being driven by Tony Webster in his limousine whenever the walk was east of Silves. One incident still kept me apologetic!! On a wet day, the walk was at Serra da Caldeirao, probably starting from Alte, where the mud was red clay. At the end of the walk, we changed into clean shoes to get into his RR. But the 16 paws of the 4 dogs (his and mine) were so caked up with the horrible red clay, there was no way to clean it off without a strong hose and brush. Though I tried to cover the seats with some towels, there was no way to avoid the 16 paws staining the beige leather!!
For quite a while, Maurice had had the dream of re-discovering the pilgrims' way across the Algarve to Cape St. Vicente. And Rod had a similar idea. So the pioneers, Maurice Clyde, Rod Frew, Alan Boak, Ian and Judy Cooper, Tony Webster and Mark Harman began to explore the Algarve from East to West and charted the route. And I was always the lucky one to go with them without having to do any work!! In October 1998, a group of 7 walkers successfully walked from Alcoutim to Cape St. Vincent in 11 days. Because the route taken by us was not the same as the original Algarve Pilgrims' Way, we decided to call it the Via Algarviana. As I was the only odd gender among the 6 gentlemen, I was pampered and well looked after. What a pleasure!!
In October, 1999, Maurice and Paul Akehurst led another crossing of the Via Algarviana. This time from Cape St. Vincent to Alcoutim. I am pleased to say that, until then, Maurice and I were the only two persons who had walked the VA both directions in two consecutive years. Since then, many other people have completed the VA walking, riding or cycling.
In 2002, Maurice planned to celebrate his 70th by crossing the VA one more time in October. From the beginning of the year, we started to plan the logistics. There were already over 10 walkers who showed strong interest in participating. Unfortunately, Maurice was taken ill in March. By the summer, it was obvious that he would not be able to do it. So we decided to give up the ambition. Instead, Paul charted a route from Luz to Carrapateira, with an overnight stop at Sagres, about 30 km. each day. It became a big hit!! Since then the RTC became a favourite annual event which involved voluntary drivers, bag ladies, and many more diners!!
In the last 3 years, the RTC was switched to Trilhos dos Pescadores in the Alentejo, led by David Littlewood. It is just as popular. There are all the indications that this Trilho will become an annual event for many more years to come.
In 20 years, I have had enjoyed every walk, enjoyed being led by all the leaders, enjoyed all the scenery, enjoyed the wide range of topics of conversation, and above all, enjoyed the camaraderie and companionship.
Thank you, fellow AWWs!!
PAUL
I did one walk with the Saturday walkers having been given Maurice's phone number by someone I met in a pub in Almancil in about August 1997. Maurice invited me to walk on Wednesdays if I could prove I had the necessary stamina and speed, and apparently in those days I did.
I had my name down for the first Algarve crossing in 1998, but unfortunately got distracted in UK that month and didn't make it. Fairly soon after joining the Wednesday Walkers, I met Myriam, with whom I had a lot in common, and being a good bloke tended her when she had a damaged knee in late 1998/early 1999, and one thing led to another.....
When Maurice was stricken in 2002 while planning for another Algarve Way crossing, which had to be cancelled, I instigated the Round the Corner Walk from Luz to Sagres to Carrapateira or vice versa, over 2 days, which became an annual event which I organised with Myriam for 10 years, before gracefully retiring.
I invented Bamboo Diagrams in about 2005, based on Tulip diagrams used in Classic Car Rallies, so that walks could be passed on and led by those that hadn't done them before. This was moderately successful, and Mike also produced diagrams for his walks. These were superseded by technology in the form of hand-held GPS in 2007, and I still have GPS tracks of many walks from those years.
Also in 2005, I started the AWW Blog, a light-hearted record of our weekly walks. At first it was a series of photographs with short comments, but eventually developed into a bit of a monster of satire and incriminating photographs among the factual attendance records and statistics.
In 2009-2010 season, John H was coerced into becoming Assistant Chief Blogger, and by the next season I was able to partially phase myself out and handover. By 2011-2012, John, who was a quick learner, had managed to find himself an Assistant Deputy Chief Blogger in the shape of Yves. David also contributed the occasional blog on walks he had led. By 2012-2013, John resumed part of the load and somehow I emerged from retirement to write more than half the blogs that year. In 2013-2014, no new bloggers were forthcoming and the blogs produced were shared fairly evenly by John and myself but there were only 7 posts up to mid December 2014, when my Blogs closed and John started opening new-style blogs of his own.
By 2015 I was not doing the longer AWW walks which had moved further East, and started a small select group the WAGS (Wednesday Algarve Geriatric Strollers) for those who enjoyed the coffee before, and the beer and bifana after, so that is where we are today. 20 years has taken its toll on many of the original Wednesday Walkers, and it is good that the Group is still going with new blood, new walks and new 'rules'.
YVES
Introduced to the group by Dina and Vitor despite a broken toe at the time (never go for relief behind a building-site caravan in the dark: there lurk breeze-blocks…). Enjoyed many walks when the leaders relied on the sun and their nose to find the way home before the invention of hand-held GPS devices: never able to remember one track from another… Neither were some Leaders. After quite a while, conned –sorry, persuaded- to take over the duties of Chief Blogger and part-time photographer for our outings: some Walkers have never forgotten or forgiven the prominence that they may have enjoyed on occasions; all in the best possible taste, naturellement! In the commission of such terrible acts of defamation and slander, valuable help was invariably forthcoming from previous bloggers, particularly on the technical side where an acute lack of skills led to quite an improvement in my neighbours’ French colloquial vernacular. Apart from dull jokes and weak puns, the only memorable contribution made to the history of the AWW was a short but sharp one: some cliff gave way and caused some excitement and trepidation in almost equal measure. Fortunately St Peter looked at his spread-sheet for that day and could not find my name, so it was left to the Vila de Bispo Bombeiros to bring home the tired but relieved Blogueur. All in all, an experience that I would not care to repeat… Those who missed the event live watched it later on TV, I hear. Many happy memories from RTC, from Sparrowfart, from long and wet outings when ponchos would wrap neatly around walking poles, leaving this idiot looking a sodden tent. Many friends made, many anecdotes shared and re-hashed too often,, many beers to slate parched throats at the end, many hot meals from the flask carried by Le Gourmet to the surprise of other Walkers…Thank you all for everything; here’s to the next 20 years! “Well begun is half done” (Aristotle):
DAVID L
Cor, you don´t want much do you? Met Maurice in early 2000, but didn´t walk that year because I broke some toes. Started the next winter. First walk was the old Torre - Amorosa, led by Maurice. There was a cloudburst that day and Silves was inundated. Took Ian and Pam back to Casa dos Sonhos for a meal and we had to do a long detour. Came out for winters and walked Dec - March/April until 2006 when we moved out here. Been leading on and off ever since but have no idea how many times - got lost lots. Worked on the Algarve Way with Terry A 2004 - 7. Coordinator of AWW for the last 5 years. Now working on a series of walks to be published on the web.
Update 2020: Since 2013, I have organised and led ´away days´ expeditions to various locations in Spain and Portugal, viz: Two west coast walking trails – The Fisherman´s Trail and The Historical trail; Sierra de Aracena; Marvao; Torres Vedras.
My website of walks in the Algarve now contains details of 48 walks, which can be accessed at onfootinthealgarve.com
I gave up the task of coordinating the AWW at Christmas 2018 but continue, for the time being, to walk with the group. How long I can keep up with the newer, younger members now is anyone´s guess, but my ascension to the WAGS or equivalent cannot be too far off!
GEOFF
Thanks to my diary, I can tell you I started on 4 Jan 2012, with a walk from David's house, starting with coffee & mince-pies! There were 15 on the walk with 5 dogs...my diary records " a lovely walk though leader David hadn't reconnoitred a couple of sections which were very rough", so nothing much changed there!
In fact I have said that a David walk is never complete without:
(a) Rosie getting lost
(b) David getting lost
(c) Some off-piste work
.......which is not to say that any of that is a problem, and his walks are invariably in beautiful parts of the Algarve!
Sue had started a bit earlier, on 18 May 2011 , having been recommended by Terry ( Ames) : she often had a lift with Tina who had an apartment in Ferragudo.
We now invariably walk with the AWW when in Portugal, about 3.5 months of the year. I led my first AWW walk on April Fool's Day 2013, and had 21 walkers! Since then, I have led about a dozen walks and helped recce others (mainly Ros').
Update 2020: I have now led many AWW walks and took over co-ordinating duties from David in January 2019. Later this year a group of us intend to walk the Via Algarviana and hopefully finish it in 2021, a fitting tribute to 25 years of the AWW, still going strong!
Update 2023 : Covid put paid to doing the VA in 2020, but a group of us did it in stages from November 2021 to November 2022 , with thanks to Jim & Gill for doing all the recce work.
SUE HILL
I know you've had some feedback from Geoff already but thought I'd tell you about my first experience with the AWWs: It was Wednesday 18 May 2011 from Messines and I remember being very pleased with myself driving all that way on my own! I think it was the furthest I'd driven in Portugal. It was pouring with rain and Terry Ames was leading the walk. I overshot the turning to Joao de Jesus and was the last to arrive (nothing changes)! There were 11 of us and we walked for about 5 1/2 hours. We had coffee and sandwiches at O Gralha. I remember Rod talking to me and I also remember Hazel. John Hope was there according to my note book as was Tina. The latter was a start of a beautiful friendship as Tina, who lived nearby, ferried me to and from AWWs until Geoff joined me in 2012. Jill Ames is also in my notebook though I can't remember whether she came on the walk or not. The rain eased off and, according to my diary, everyone was very sociable. We ended up with a drink at Joao de Jesus.
The second time I walked with the AWWs we went from Odiaxere from a cafe in the middle of nowhere. That was when I met Myriam for the first time so I suppose you were there too. I remember thinking I was so clever remembering her name, Hazel, which of course it wasn't! Believe it or not, it rained. I have a feeling you led the walk though I may be wrong. Anyway the majority of us cut the walk short making it a 4 hour walk.
Update 2023 : I also did the VA with Geoff and others.
IAN SCOTT
First walk, Sept 2001, led by Maurice, last 2012 due to accident. Memorable walks. First Round the Corner, great walk, great evening in Sagres. Rod's walk from Mata Lascanas on the beach by Coto Donyana ending with ferry to San Lucar Barameda where we had a wonderful sherry tasting the next day. Rod & Mikes trip to Pileira in the Sierra Nevada, when we walked up the Culo De Perro to the snow line accompan
ied by a local three legged dog. hope these memories help.
Update 2020: Ian sadly died 5 July 2020, but John Hope did a fitting eulogy, see : https://hopejandh.blogspot.com/2020/08/ian-f-scott-in-memoriam.html
LINDSEY
I didn’t lead very many walks! A few with Hilke which were around here and one of Hedley’s walk up near Alcalar. As a result I offered to be ‘General Dog’s Body’ and send out all the emails from 2000 up until 2004 (I think) when Janet took over. I started walking with the group in 1999 when I stopped working in the nursery and had more time.
So I have walked from 1999-2015 most weeks! Via Algarviana, lots of Round the Corners (but I haven’t got a record of how many).
FRANK McEWAN
I only joined in the 2015 /2016 season.
I walked in the rain on the first walk of the season on 16th Sept 2015 and have been walking most weeks since then.
I have led two walks locally where I live on the hillsides above Faro.
I believe that I am the most easterly member of the group.
HILKE
My first walk with the AWW was in autumn 2006, I think November. It was a walk of Mike Pease's from near Arao, supposed to be for 6 hours, but it ended after three hours in torrential rains. Wives were summoned to ferry us back to our cars. But I like the company very much, so I came back. I was there on invitation from Gack, she soon changed places with me and went to that group I had been walking with before (some 2 1/2 hours). I have been walking very regularly until the end of 2014, from then on I decided to walk not more than 20 km on health reasons, and the next season after that it was - again on health reasons - a bit unregular, but I keep walking and do not want to miss it, although the group has been changing constantly.
My first round the corner in 2007 was a real adventure for me, I loved it, and did again the next year, but then I broke my arm and discontinued.
I do not think I remember anything special that might be worth recording.
BOB BATES
Update 2020: I joined the AWAs in mid 2008, having moved to Portugal just
a few days after completing the Camino in northern Spain. I had been in touch
with Terry (Ames) expressing interest in walking the Algarve Way, and he
invited me to join you all, to get in some ‘practice walks’ and so started a series of happy
walks over the five years we were in the Algarve. Terry and I walked the AW in
2009. I am grateful to you all for your friendship, and particularly for those
who led us and took us to see the glories of the landscape that I’d otherwise have missed.
We moved to Porto in 2014, and back to the UK in 2016 into
great walking country, with the Brecon Beacons, the Malvern Hills and the Wye
Valley, all a short drive away. I joined the local walking group, and again,
those who know the area lead us on some ‘invigorating’ walks with great scenery.
I also now minister as Lead Chaplain to the new(ish) Church
of England’s ‘Camino Chaplaincy’
based in
Santiago de Compostela, meeting and greeting those who have walked (or cycled)
the Camino.
I have happy memories of AWA walks and have noted the
evolution of the WAGS. I hear from Rod that you still honour St Vincent on his
day in January. The great thing is that the glorious tracks of the Algarve are
still being walked!
All good wishes
With St Vincent in Sagres
Bob
P.S. Alfie sends greetings to all his AWA (canine-division)
friends who are still around. Alf is 12 now, still walking, although a little
slower and grumpier than he once was, and definitely now a WAG!
INGRID
My first walk with the AWW was on 10 September 2008 Benagil, your post on your blog 11 September 2008 Bedlam at Benagil. Very glad that I have joined the AWW, was a few months out 2013 January to May 2013 recovering from my emergency operation. Have a lot of happy memories from the old crowd and days. I had a lot of laughs
JOHN & HAZEL
Hazel´s and my first walk with AWW was when we were still just visiting the Algarve. I can´t remember the month or year, possibly 2004, but it was a walk in the Odelouca area which was followed by a lunch in the Ourique Bar on, I think, Maurice Clyde´s birthday – Maurice being the founder of AWW.
Next remembered involvement with AWW was on 1st March 2006. We had flown in that morning to settle in Portugal and had just driven down from Lisboa. At about midday, turning right at Casinhas on the way up to our house, outside the bar we saw a crowd who looked familiar; it was the AWWs. We were waved down by Ian Scott and were told to come and have a beer. That was the day the AWWs were presenting Maurice with a memento just before he retired to UK. We two have walked fairly regularly ever since, although, like some of the others, I am beginning to find it hard to maintain the pace going uphill that the current group of youngsters like to set, and turn out less regularly than I used to.
And of course, there are some hills that I now simply refuse to climb, such as the one in the photo at the top of this blog, which I took (30 10 2019). Geoff was insistent in leading you lot up that precipice. I said “no thank you” and just sat at the road side and took pictures as you did it.
I can´t remember how many walks I have been on but, since I was always taking a lot of photos, the Starter pics being my “speciality”, I´ve built up quite a picture archive. A quick scan through the picture folders on my PC tells me that I´ve been on at least 201 AWW walks, including Round The Corners, Sparrowfarts and David L´s November Away Trails. Some stalwarts will certainly have done many more; but even so, I do sometimes wonder about my own sanity. But one particular walk I was pleased with was the one on 15th January 2020, when I led an 19km walk a day after my 80th birthday; there were 31 walking that day, so the AWWs are definitely not fading away. I look forward to the 25th anniversary walk.
(Entry updated from 2016 in 2020)
MIKE PEASE
Application to join AWW formally submitted probably in 1998. Permitted to join group after much blood-letting amongst the cistus,. Never accomplished art of ascending very steep hills with hands in pockets whilst whistling gaily. Subsequently led many walks including two ‘Moonlight Capers’ and trips to Madeira and The Alpujarras. Independently undertook various long-distance solo walks in UK and Portugal. Instigated the 'Sparrowfart' series of midsummer breakfast walks. Now retired.
Update June 2024 : Mike was honoured by being made a Member of the British Empire for Services to Anglo Portuguese Relations ( Military Commemmorations).
JANET
I can't really be certain when my first walk was but I was certainly walking in 1999 and am down in the diary to do a walk in Monchique at 7.45 am on 7th July, 1999 so I think I must have started in 1998. The aforementioned Suzanna aka Sue Ellen had heard about the walks from Rod and got herself invited. Then she asked me to come too. I turned up in the usual cotton tee shirt and shorts and Suzanna turned up in a pale blue tight spandex leotard with matching headband and got steadily redder as the day progressed. I am sure that she only did one walk but I loved it and continued. I didn't walk for periods when the family obligations got too busy but I never gave it up. I always wanted to walk.
Update 2023 :In those (early)days one just phoned another members to find out where the walk started and had no idea of how long it would be and how hard. Rod, Mike P and Maurice strode up the hills and l puffed and painted in their wake. I could never lead a walk so when Lindsey gave up the Hon. Sec. job l organised the walks and begged and pleaded for leaders. I was very happy to be able to put something back into the group and always resisted the introduction of any rules! I have loved (and sometimes hated) the walks and am so grateful to have been able to explore this lovely region. I am now walking with the WAGS and am delighted that l can still join them.
TINA
I joined AWW through meeting Janet at a Palmares golf do, she was sitting on the same table and we got chatting and she invited me to join her walking group. Little did I realise what I was letting myself in for!!!!
Not sure of the dates but I think it was 2005/6 and my first walk was a baptism of fire no less. Can’t remember location but do remember walking along escarpments of eucalyptus trees and then trying to cross a gully which was overgrown and trying to climb up the other side, being dragged through dense undergrowth and being hauled up the steep embankment. It was suggested that the group should invest in a rope!!! Not sure if we ever got one………..
I am so sorry not to be with you all on the 7th, would you believe it we are coming to Ferragudo in September arriving on the 9th, bad timing on our part. Hopefully I will be able to meet up with some of you during our stay as we do not return till the 29th September.
Have many very happy memories of you all and the fab walks we did.
ROS SMITH
Mine is really the tale of a T-shirt. I joined a pilates class at Silves Municipal Pool and found myself one Tuesday morning 'pilating' behind a lady whose T-shirt shouted 'AWW' and 'RTC' at me for 60 mins. After the class my curiosity got the better of me and I accosted said lady to find out just what she was advertising on her back and front. The lady was Dina and she proceeded to give me Tina's no. After a double dose of 'inas' my next contact point was Janet who sent me a lovely friendly e-mail and invited me to join Antje the following week at Carrapateira. So... my first walk was on 16th May 2012. Since then I've walked more and more regularly and nowadays rarely miss a Weds. For want of any other qualification this must be the reason why I find myself 'keeper of the kitty'.
Every walk is a significant event in its own way ( some admittedly more than others��) - a new face , a new piece of news or gossip, new boots, a different cordon bleu lunch and, best of all, a new route with a new challenge.
In case she hasn't yet replied I can tell you that Marian Hall's first walk was also the Carrapateira walk on 16-05-12.
MARIAN HALL
Sorry I haven't replied but I honestly can't remember when I did actually start walking with the AWW walkers. (Ros can - see above!)I do remember that I was cycling with my husband close to Cordama beach when we saw a snake of hikers on the horizon winding their way down towards the beach. I asked a tall German gentlemen who was in the group (possibly Hilke's husband?) and I was put in touch with Janet Summerfield, who as usual was very welcoming and invited me along. I have dipped in and out of the walks infrequently over the years sadly because we don't live in the Algarve full time. I have been lucky enough to join in the Round the Corner walk, the Alentejo walk, both organised impeccably by Rod Frew. The hi lights of the Alentejo trip was the vineyard visit, the guided historical walks and that delightful and stunning blue tiled Convento where we stayed. I have also walked the Trilho de Pescadores and the Rota Historico twice, both times organised beautifully by David Littlewood..... except for the torrential horrendous rain on our first historical trip. Bad luck. Again we stayed in fabulous accommodation and enjoyed not only delicious suppers but classical guitar serenading us into the evening. Every time I appear for a Wednesday walk, it is honestly like meeting up again with long lost friends and I enjoy everyone's company hugely. Thank you all for making me so very welcome.
I'm now very much looking forward to our 7th September anniversary walk.
JOHN DAVEY
About six or seven years ago (2012) there was an article in one of the papers talking about AWW walks I believe by Yves, I contacted Terry from this and after he had interrogated me on my fitness I joined the next walk which was due to go up Picota, if I remember it was to check a route to the top for a triathlon later in the year, fortunately for me we lost three walkers off the back which took some time to find them and Rod decided there would not be time to complete the walk and he took us back via the road, I believe Terry and Yves completed the original walk finishing in the dark.
Since then I've completed most walks between October and mid-March, and I'm looking forward to joining AWW again sometime in September this year, unfortunately I will miss the 20 year anniversary.
JAN OTTER
I joined the walking group in Spring, 2008, following Otter's article a 'Walk on the Wildside' written for Goodlife, featuring Terry Ames and his walking tours. We joined him at Barranco do Velho and finished at Benafim - a spectacular and well-led walk. Soon after this I joined the group at a walk which Terry was leading that particular week.
Since then, I have continued to walk just about every week, with the exception of Decembers and Januarys when Otter and I are always at our ski chalet in Austria.
I have stepped up to lead several times and have helped others with their recces.
I have introduced several keen walkers at times when numbers seemed to dwindle which at one point they did dramatically! Many of these have become regular walkers and have also taken their share in the leading walks.
A significant event that comes to mind was the episode of the frightened boar. I was walking alongside Ros in Rocha da Pena when we noticed boar spoor. Lo and behold, in front of us our four-legged friends became agitated and behind a wire fence, and very close to us, we found a very frightened boar. He was obviously caught in some wire and could not escape. A frightened and trapped wild animal can be very dangerous - and he was a big bugger, too! I immediately put my brave cap on, grabbed Ros and put her in front of me! Something she will never forget. We were so glad that the boar was behind a fence... however, a few metres on.... more print activity and holes in the fence! It appeared to be a crossing point for boars! Phew, what a scary episode and on reflection rather amusing. This whole episode, however, highlighted a problem with having unleashed dogs on board. The initial rising of the beast and the continued worrying of it by the dogs could have led to an injury being inflicted on one of the walkers.
I am sure there have been more significant memories, some including rivers (!) but this one, for me, was the most memorable.
Update 2020
It was ten years ago, while walking with Terry Ames, that
he introduced us to the AWW. This particular walk was, in fact, for Otter to
write an article about him and his walking company for Goodlife. (Article
included).
We began our walk with him from Barranco do Velho,
winding our way down to Salir and onto Benafim.
He mentioned the AWW and invited us along the following week when he was
leading. The rest is history.
BUT, I ask myself, where does time go??? Ten years!!! I
can hardly believe that I have been enjoying the Wednesday walks and leading
for such a long time. During this period,
I have seen many new faces arrive and old friends leave. However, as a
regular walking group, it becomes necessary to inject some new enthusiam. I
have seen turbulent times but mostly friendship, fun and lots of bonhommie.
Keeping fit is my number one priority hopefully fending
off "old age"!!! I also love
the variety of walks in the Algarve and the differing countryscapes and glorious
scenery which otherwise I may not have visited.
A memorable lead that I did was in late spring in 2019
which, I later heard, was one of, if not THE, most difficult according to my
fellow walkers. I have to admit in my pre-walk announcement, I did omit one
particularly epic hillclimb!! Oops, that
didn't go down well - even though the trail finally did! So ludicrously steep
was this, that our dear Snr Esperanca turned back. But, he turned up again
later as the chief photographer when we ploughed up the hill to the Tapas Bar
for a well-deserved drink at the end. However, since then, I do believe that
Roger has taken the prize for emulating SAS yomps!! Only three men and two
women joined him recently on a "somewhat energetic walk", he wrote.
Wow, that was a difficult one! There were so many hills I gave up counting.
However, I do like those challenges!
As we continually see new faces of like-minded people,
the group is constantly changing - and long may it continue.
One regret that I have, is that I have never been able to
take up the challenge of the Round the Corner. Perhaps, in the next ten years.
. .
Thank you, again to Terry Aimes.
Addendum. In my earlier blog, of when I began walking
with the AWW, I realised I made an error in the date. While re-reading the
article I notice that we actually started walking in March, 2010!!
HEDLEY WHITE
I have been racking my brains to work out our walking history but 20 years ago defeats my enfeebled memory. However looking back brings to mind (which I had never thought of before) that my/our history follows a neat cycle. On the basis that the AWW's (what were we called then? ) started in 1996, we must have started shortly after but with the Saturday walkers which quickly morphed into the Striders and Strollers with the latter doing an extended version of the walk but with identical start and finish points - a nightmare for the leaders who had to recce 2 versions of the route and organise the timing so that both groups started and finished at the same point and at the same time! And all this in what was frequently virgin walking territory. After about 2 years we learned of the Wednesday group who did not, as I recall, have the AWW name and joined in to what had been up to that point a group of 6/7/people. The only names who are still in the Algarve (I think) are Myriam Rod and Tony. The group objective was to recce what became the Algarve Way. It seemed that every Wednesday was a journey into the unknown with much backtracking on encountering an immovable barrier and much beating through head high vegetation. I think it was around that time that Joy and I started to recce walks centred around the blue bar in Moinho da Rocha. I am glad to see that the current crop of AWW's are still using this trail - it is a pity that many other tracks have fallen into disuse - especially in the east. I still remember the infamous walk I led from Marmelete that led to my almighty row with Tony - although I hope that we are reconciled now although he never walked again. We, or more latterly I, kept up the Wednesday walks until about 3 years ago when increasing decrepitude led me to decide that 16K plus was too much and I joined the WAGS . Thus very neatly over 20 years I have moved from the Saturday Strollers to the WAGStrollers - a neat symmetry. I hope that when my time in the Algarve permits I can keep it up for a few more seasons.
CHRIS and ANTJE
We started to walk regularly with the group in September 2003 and think I had one or two guest appearances while still living in Malta. We did not lead a walk for a while getting to know the area a bit. Our first walk we led started at Dona Anna to Piedade then up and down the fishermen's footpath to the Swiss Hotel down to their little beach up again through a gap in the cliffs reached by a narrow path (health and Safety no concern yet) and down to Porto do Mos beach. More walking along the cliffs to the trig point overlooking Luz and from there we circled back passing along Boa Vista Golf to the start. A modest walk by any standards but we had led our first walk and did not get lost.
That I managed to do much later in a big way when I turned the 22 km Raposeira to Pedralva walk into 26.5 km one and nearly finished off the youngest walker present, Geraldine who was just recovering from a bout of influenza.
Chris and I have been leading several walks a year and chose the West Coast as our preferred area after Ian and Pam Clarke Simpson's departure.
Walking with the AWW has given much pleasure and we have met many interesting people some of which have become good friends.
A short mention of our4 legged companions who love the walks as much if not more than their owners.
Could say lots more but that should do.
Obviously remember all Round the Corner walks and also David's Via Algarviana route.
The first 5 years we were here Chris spent at least 6 month a year away consulting so missed many walks.
JIM BROWNLOW
Regarding my years of involvement with AWW, I don’t have any record of when I started, but would guess the late 90’s, and last walked with them 3 or 4 years ago. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but the current heat combined with the age of the beast has addled the memory somewhat!
ROGER AND TRISH
Myself, Trish my partner and Baxter (our cocker spaniel ) are I guess AWW virgins having joined the group in March this year with only about 5 walks under our belts so far, including the excursion to Culatra Island & mid summers Sparrowfart. All highly enjoyable with Baxter seemingly now taken lead role in finding & sampling all water sources en route from barragems, private swimming pools & flea infested muddy bogs / drainage ditches hence he is often seen walking in isolation of his peers & even further adrift from his owners. Unfortunately for others he is likely to turn up on quite a few more outings yet!
MARIA
Maurice used to come into the Rose Newton office when things needed to be done at his property and he persuaded me to join his walkers. These were the Saturday Strollers at first, I think it would have been in 1993 or 1994. Then we started with the AWW, presumably 1996.
I remember particularly the Madeira trip, when Anna Rose fell and broke her leg quite badly and I helped her there, in Funcho Hospital, and on the plane home later. Other memories are the midnight moonlight walks finishing up with champagne breakfasts at Myriam´s or on the beach, and the first Round The Corner - I don´t know which year - when Myriam and I were the 2 girls in a group of 6.
There was a Trans-Algarve Way walk where I could do 2 legs – I had to work in the office as well, remember. One leg was an 8 hour killer, Silves up to Picota. They advised us to bring spare boots and dry socks because there were rivers to cross. I brought lixo bags instead so I am the lixo bag pioneer. The other leg I did was Vila do Bispo to Cape St Vincent.
I helped arrange for the memento we presented to Maurice at Casinhas 1st March 2006 and for the large painted banana presented to someone at a Round The Corner.
I didn´t walk for a few years when I was away a lot, but I started walking again quite often since 2010 and still do.
Update 2020 :Often being the youngest on the walks, I was always expected to climb up onto the top of any trig point we came across.......(strangley enough, there's never a shortage of gallant gents ready to assist the youngest lady up the trig....Ed. )
PETER SCHROEDER
I think I came to the walkers through Mark Harman end of the 90's and walked quite regularly till 2013, then I switched to the WAGS walking occasionally.
TERRY AMES
Been looking back on calendars and other things can’t narrow it down as to first walk etc. but looks like I made a start sometime in 2004 the year we moved here. I know I was busy with the building of my Casa then.
2005 is the year David and I put a lot of time into getting the AW together ready for my attempted crossing in early 2006 with a lot of support from the AWW it was a great success. It was also around that time I started doing the Round the Corner Walks (sadly missed now).
2007 I spent a lot of my time working to earn a crust at the expense of walking, but 2008 saw a lot of activity with my Algarve Walking Experience project and another AW walked. So far I have walked 11 AW and 3 Halfgarve Ways with one planned for later this year.
2009 lot of time spent with the group walking and leading onwards into 2010 to 2013. Eased off in 2014 as my guided walking tours really started to take off and I needed to do my own thing but 2015/16 started to join the group more as it got over its hiatus of walkers and leaders.
The number or people I have guided across the Algarve is in the fifties and growing.
Lost count of the number I have had out on day walks. All started by walking with the AWW always happy to share their knowledge by people who have been walking in the Algarve a lot longer than me. People might snigger when we say how lucky we are to walk in the Algarve but I firmly believe we are and to have done it with walkers who are now friends - what more can we ask for?
New for 2020....
Terry Mace
My involvement with the AWW began in about 2005. We were in the process of buying a house here, and our friend Gill suggested that, as she thought I knew a few things about computers and was semi-retired, I should advertise in the local papers to see if there were any folk needing help.
One of the replies was from Maurice and Esme Clyde. Maurice was, by then, severely disabled after his stroke and very reliant on his computer for all sorts of things. I visited them, fixed whatever problem it was and, as I was leaving, he said “Are you interested in walking?” I said yes, and he gave me three things: his walking boots, his rucksack, and Rod Frew’s number. I am very grateful for all three (although the boots were actually pretty uncomfortable!)
My first ‘Round The Corner’ was 2006, and I certainly did 4 more with the AWWs, and have since done a couple more ‘for fun’. I remember that I cheated at the end of one RTC (2009?) by breaking into a sprint finish at Carrapateira without warning, leaving Yves in my wake before he could recover and overtake me.
I started walking regularly with the AWW again a couple of years ago; since then I have enjoyed many walks, and led a few. I’ve enjoyed recce-ing new walks, and try to make them interesting, scenic, and of a reasonable level of difficulty, in accordance with Maurice’s original vision. But, at the end of the day (as others have said) the camaraderie’s the thing – the walk is just our enjoyable excuse.
RUSSELL AND LINDA MORRIS
After spending 15 years working and travelling abroad in different parts of Europe, Asia, India and Africa we decided in late 2014 to try out the Algarve for the first time ever. We did our first walk in January 2015 after an introduction from Geoff. Terry Ames was our guide and the walk started from Messines. It was a memorial walk for Maurice Clyde, therefore a good introduction to the AWW for us. We enjoyed the walking and camaraderie so much it helped towards our decision to stay in the Algarve for 6 months every winter since then. We still work in Italy or Spain in the summer months.
We organised our first walk a couple of months later from Figueiras. This was a walk we had put together ourselves and I remember Janet saying she had lived in the area years and hadn’t walked in that area before.
The following year in January 2016 we lead one of the old AWW walks from Rasmalho which hadn’t been walked for a long time. David helped do the recci and provided the notes on the walk. We were really pleased to have a good turn out of 21 walkers, but not so pleased when we got slightly lost at lunch time which resulted in the walk being a couple of kms longer than advertised.
I have to confess to being late for my own walk in February 2016. Russell had to go to the UK for a funeral and I had decided to invite everyone for a 9.30am start but woke up thinking we were starting at 10am. Luckily, I was only 5 minutes late but had to make a courtesy to the applauding. Luckily, I didn’t get lost on the walk but had to listen to endless ribbing.
When we are here in the winter, we walk almost every week with our good friends in the AWW and lead 3 or 4 walks each winter. It is a huge part of our life.
Russells says.
My first walk was from Fonte Felipe in October 2017. An incredibly frightening day for me.
After suffering a mini stroke in July 2017 in Italy whilst working at Lake Maggiore I lost 18 years of my life in memory. I had no confidence, emotions off the Richter scale and suffered agoraphobia. Stepping out of my tent and seeing anyone was horrific, I would shake and cry and had a terrible stammer. So, baby steps were required and Linda became wonder woman, not only coaxing, teaching and recounting endlessly my past life, but running a campsite by herself.
All this leads to the walk. I spent hours, days, weeks looking at the photos and names of the people who go on the AWW walks to familiarise myself with them all. It still makes me shudder today remembering stepping out of the car into a crowd of smiling faces. I was shitting myself and wanted to run away and vanish but you all made me so welcome. There was no pressure to talk or explain. So, I thank you all very, very much. You are all extremely kind and funny people and a pleasure to walk with. I class you all as good friends. Finally, I have to admit to one thing. The only name and face I could remember was Ros. The look on her face as she approached me and I called her name was priceless. She thought she was the only one I remembered, alas no, it was just the homework.
SUSAN AND JOHN
John and Susan Annapurna circuit
John and I joined AWW on 18th April 2016 for the walk near Ilha do Rosario. I previously did a walk from Rasmalho. Jim and Gill kindly gave me a lift. Since this time we've done at least 10 walks with the group and enjoyed them all.
It's definitely our turn to lead so far we've escaped this. However we're looking forward to doing so next time we're in Carvoeiro. We had planned spending next winter in Portugal. Not sure if the end of season walk and Via Algarviana will go ahead. We were looking forward to doing both.
Presently we're self isolating with hour daughter Sarah and 2 dogs (both are loving life ) in Courtmacsherry, West Cork. We've been lucky the weather has been great so we've gone cycling and walking. These have been curtailed as we're now only allowed go 2km from home.
Looking forward to getting back to Portugal and meeting you all. Hopefully we'll be able to do so soon. In the meantime wishing you all good health from West Cork.
BOB & MAGGIE
After retirement we spent quite a lot of time in the winters walking on La Palma and North Tenerife before thinking of somewhere different. We had met a Dutch couple in Morocco a few years previously and they offered us their holiday villa near Paderne for a few weeks in March 2015 at a very reasonable price. We had difficulty finding published walking routes in the Algarve and trawling online came across a certain Terry Ames offering guided walks and we joined Terry for 3 days of walking in the areas around Paderne, Alte, Salir and Querenca.
Terry was great company and opened our eyes to some beautiful areas and we gained confidence to work out some walks of our own. When we returned in 2016 Terry was away in New Zealand and he gave me David’s contact details and we have never looked back.
Since then we have spent a few weeks once or twice a year in various parts of the Algarve, mainly in Paderne. We greatly enjoy the AWW walks and the company and humour of all the participants. We have lead once so far and oh the embarrassment when the chosen cafe at the start didn’t open up in time for us despite promising to be open by 9.00 but luckily it was open for coffees and beers at the finish
We joined the Away Days trips in 2018 to the Lines of Torres Vedras and in 2019 to Milfontes and the Fisherman’s Trail. Great walking, good company, loads of laughs and good food. We are just hoping that this year’s November trip along the first part of the Via Algarviana is able to go ahead
Nancy Carson
I learned of the AWW through a bit of networking in my other walking groups, a few weeks after arriving in the Algarve. My first walk was January 22, 2020 and my birthday.
Geoff finally accepted my application after a grueling fitness assessment, during which I mentioned mountain biking, and much grilling as to how I'd heard about the AWW. Still a bit sore under the fingernails from the toothpicks, but I knew I'd found my people. That walk was led by John who was celebrating his 80th birthday.
I remember little about the walk except meeting a lot of fun, fit new people. One was John Davey and my neighbor in Salema. Though John never got used to my driving, we had several otherwise pleasant trips together.
A highlight was the away weekend in Loule.
I think everyone knows that I came to Salema intending to stay two weeks. Last week it was three months. I've so thoroughly enjoyed our hikes and time together and am very grateful for the warm welcome. I can't wait to regroup, God willing, next year for more adventures together.
Isabel Leonor
Loving the physical exercise that walking brings, enjoying be up and about, when speaking with Dina she mentioned the AWW. After some prodding from me she finally gave me David’s contact.
David was pleased to welcome me to the group and forwarded the information with the rules.
Around June 2017, I manage to put my name down for a walk to take place in Monchique. David wasn’t going to join. Upon arrival at the meeting place, I introduced myself to the members that were present. While I was going around, I was approached by one of the members, asking who was responsible for me. I told her that David has given the approval, but as David wasn’t walking that day, she was really very concerned. I didn’t have an answer. Luckily, another member realizing my embarrassment, stood up, and declared that she would be responsible for me.( At a later stage during the walk, I learned that during that same walk some months earlier, a new member didn’t feel well, which caused a lot of commotion. Therefor AWW rightfully has to have rules for the good of the group. I then understood her concern. )
Since then I have become friends with that member and the rest of the group, and thoroughly enjoying the social aspect of that great walks. Though I am Portuguese I am learning so much about the natural beauty of Algarve.
Geoff has kindly let me join his Monday walks, which I also very much enjoy.
I am anxious for the restart of the walks and to be together with some great people.
Jim Hartland
Walking is an activity that I have taken up relatively recently.
I have always been a keen club cyclist but after undergoing heart surgery (a quadruple by-pass) I promised my wife I would take thing easy in the future.
So I had the idea that I would take up the gentle activity of walking.
Little did I realise how wrong I could be!
I met John Davey in another walking group and we also started cycling together. He told me about the AWW and suggested that I might like to give it a try. He also told me that when he joined the AWW he underwent vetting but things were more relaxed nowadays. I have a phobia about heights but John assured me that I would not have to climb vertical cliff faces using my fingertips, well not very often.
My first walk with the AWW was in October 2016. It was led by Nick and Pam Berry and was from Monchique to the top of Foia and return. It was a total shock to my system, my short fat hairy legs going like bees’ wings to keep up. The downhills were as hard as the uphills.
At the finish I realised that although I had found it hard I had really enjoyed it. I had also of course met some very nice, friendly and interesting people. I was therefore hooked.
Some walks are of course harder than others but are always interesting and also in beautiful parts of the Portuguese countryside.
Hopefully I will still be walking with the group for some time into the future, pandemics allowing.
Ken and Miriam Wood
We came to Portugal from Kenya at the beginning of 2014
and someone from the Algarve Hash House Harriers told us about the AWW. I called David Littlewood who was then the
coordinator and the rest they say is history.
We didn’t lead any walks the first year as David did most of the leading
but we thoroughly enjoyed our first away walk in the Alentejo for the Fishermans
Trail walk in November 2015. We led our first walk in February 2015 in Cai Logo
(one of Davis’s original walks) and it proved to be a most challenging
recce. Since then we have led a couple
of walks each year and enjoyed taking part in AWW walks across the
Algarve.
We acquired a dog, Bica in 2015
and she has been walking with us ever since.
She has now fortunately learned to cross rivers herself as there was one
notable occasion when she refused to go through and I ended up carrying
her. My walking stick disappeared down
the river like a Pooh stick at the same time in spite of Nick Berry trying to
capture it. We have joined the Away group walks every year since then including
the one where we got rained out.
The
2018 walk in November to Torres Vedres proved to be the most difficult! We had rented a renovated windmill for the
week and had enjoyed the welcome dinner on the first night. The following morning not even an hour into
the walk, I slipped on some wet bamboo and broke my ankle in 3 places and
dislcoated it. The group were fantastic and
supported me through a very difficult time.
The bomberiros were amazing and fortunately didn’t have to drive too far
off the beaten track to get to me. Ros
Smith was an angel and went with me to the hopistal in Torres Vedras. Later that day I was taken to Faro where they
operated and pinned my ankle. So that
put paid to my walking for the next few months. Ken and Bica continued to walk
of course.
For us the AWW symbolises what living in the Algrave is all
about. Great people to talk to, great
places to visit, a great way to keep fit and a great way to learn more about
the wonderful area we live in.
Val Alabaster
My first AWW was either late 2007 or January 2008. We had been coming to the Algarve for many years previously and did many walks from the Sunflower Countryside walks book. ("Turn left at the dying carob tree" and similar instructions meant that we had to have several attempts at each walk and frequently got lost - no GPS or even a decent map in those days!). However, sadly my husband Colin gradually lost his walking legs until it was no longer possible for him to accompany me. I really missed those hills , scenery, flowers and scents.
When we bought our place in Alvor and planned to spend more time in the Algarve, I searched the internet hoping to find a walking group I could join.I came across David Littlewood's contact details in an article about the Algarve Way. His reply to my letter was very direct and stated that the group were very fit, walked a long way and walked quickly so unless I could keep up, then this was not the group for me! So I attended my first walk with some trepidation, determined I would not hold the group back even if it killed me!. In the event, I had a great walk and everyone was friendly and welcoming, and so commenced many years of really enjoyable walks.
We have spent about 12-14 weeks per year in the Algarve, so although I have been a AWW er for many years, I do not do as many walks as I would like to do. But I am extremely grateful to all the leaders over the years for some wonderful walks and to all the group for their friendship and tolerance. I have never been on a walk with you that has not been fun and very enjoyable.
My one regret is that I have not been able to lead a proper walk myself. I did step in once when the Wednesday walk was going to be cancelled for lack of a leader - but then the only walk I was confident to do was a coast walk - sea on right going and sea on left coming back! Even then I managed to lose someone in the wooded area just before Praia du Vau (Guess who).
These days, now being well into the "vulnerable group" , I have to choose my walks more carefully - not too long, not too hilly and weather not too hot! I was really pleased to walk a few times last year with the WAGS and meet up with some old faces (young old I mean).
I am looking forward to meeting up again with everyone as soon as we can escape this lock down.
Grateful thanks to you all
Update 2023 : Unfortunately Val died on Valentine's Day 2021. Whilst she may never had led an AWW walk, she did write a most entertaining blog during lockdown of a walk from her lovely Kent home. This is coupled with a copy of her Funeral Service Programme along with rememberances from her AWW friends See :
AWW 2015-23: AWW: Val Alabaster's blog and Funeral Service Programme (hopejandh.blogspot.com)
Martin McKenna
I arrived in the Algarve near Loule in September 2017 and was very fortunate to bump into our esteemed long term hiker David Littlewood at a Goldra Dog Sanctuary Charity Lunch in early October. David explained the philosophy of the Algarve Wednesday Walkers and very kindly invited me to come along on their next outing after very subtly checking that I was indeed capable of walking 18km or thereabouts without holding everyone back. I had already been solo hiking on the PR and Via Algarviana routes and was really enjoying exploring the wonderful countryside.
My first AWW hike was on October 14th 2017 led by Ingred in the distant town of Bordeira on the west coast. It was a bit of a shock, not the drive there but until then I had been feeling very proud of myself hiking 9-12km routes - this was something else again – over 18km of very hilly terrain for just over 5 hours I was absolutely knackered but determined not to show it!
Since then I can honestly say I have enjoyed each and every walk I have been lucky to join. One or two walks linger in the memory – Jan’s hike up, down and around all the highest hills near Salir on a very hot day can never be forgotten or forgiven. The lovely away trip to Torres Vedras in Nov 2018 ably organised by David was special and to get to meet some new faces (new to me) and friends of the AWW like Bob and Maggie.
Also I remember the first walk I led on Nov 28th 2018 and the worry about getting everyone lost. Since then I have led a couple more walks and was due to led another just before the shutdown. Special thanks to the early visionaries who got the whole AWW show on the road and to all the friends made and conversations shared along the way.
ALAN SHERIDAN
When I look back I realise that I joined the Algarve
Wednesday Walkers on April 1st 2018 so draw your own conclusions
regarding the date. We retired early and moved lock stock and two smoking
barrels to the Algarve the year earlier and took a few months to settle in
close to the Town of Sao Bras de Alportel.
I have had a very varied career but have always loved walking
starting with long hikes in the Yorkshire Dales from a very early age, I
completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks (Pen-y-Gent, Ingleborough and Whernside)
and the Lyke Wake Walk (43 miles over the North Yorkshire Moors), at the age of
12. Before I went to University I joined the Territorial Army and was
introduced to the biggest walking event in the world, the Nijmegen Four Days
Marches in Holland, I have since completed the 200km event eight times over the
years.
Allied to the fact that I love to walk I also enjoy
photography so the Wednesday walks allow me to indulge myself in both hobbies
so I will often be seen hanging back as I take pictures along the route. I am
always happy to pass those images to the walk leaders for the blog or walk
report.
GILL AND JILL LAMONT
Our 1st Wednesday walk was at Foz de Ribeiro 3rd February 2016. We had been on a Monday walk with Geoff around Silves 2 days before. I remember doing quite a few walks on a Mondays, walking with Geoff, Russ and Linda, Wendy, Alan and Trish.
I think Linda and I were always walking ahead and Geoff said something along the lines that I had too much energy and should join him on a 20km walk with the AWW !
I remember being nervous, and feeling that Jim and I were on some sort of test ,and with David being the boss trying to be nice to him.
It was the same year we got our Jersey housing qualifications (right to buy) and bought our 1st house in Jersey, our 2nd son had his 1st baby and Jim’s niece got married - a bit of a Highland fling!
Our 1st trip away with the AWW was in the same year to Aracena.
Ed note: Gill is being modest...even if it was about the dozenth time of asking for something to put here...anything! Jim & Gill have recceed a number of new and interesting walks which they have led. They also managed to write a most entertaining blog about the Walk that Never Was. They have "volunteered" to organise the Social Side of the forthcoming AV walk in November , and also to recce important points en route. Just don't ask Jim to take his shirt off ( he needs no encouragement ) nor ask him about peanuts, especially after a wee dram or three...)
TONY SPICER AND JULIE FEENEY
Our first walk with the AWW was in the summer of 2018. Jan Otter, who we knew from the Hash, invited us along to the last walk of the summer from Barranco do velho to Salir. A very pleasant walk it was too and even better, we enjoyed a tapas meal afterwards and got to know everybody better. And it didn't put us off.
We've both been or still are members of the FRA and LDWA in the UK and so we were keen to discover what the Algarve had to offer. And as we all know now, it's quite a lot.
We finally led our our first AWW walk in November 2019 from Alte and managed not to lose anyone or be told never to organise a walk again. So now we're looking forward to the 2020/2021 season despite the Covid restrictions.
SUE MINNIS
Sue is such a busy lady, she doesn't have time for such trivia , but she's such a stalwart of the AWW that I couldn't let her absence here last any longer, so I have written this myself!
Sue joined the AWW back in 2016 : I can recall a walk by her house a few years earlier, probably a David one, when we saw her repairing a fence and mentioned about joining us ( we knew her from hashing). Sue is not only a frequent walker ( or should I say keen strider) but also a leader who often entertains at a lunch stop at her house ; sometimes with hearty soup, but this covid year she kick-started the season with a full-blown lunch , all socially distanced and suitably prepared on sticks. It was a good job it was a short(ish) walk.
Sue took over Mrs Kitty duties from Ros back in 2018.
DAVID AND STEPHANIE MAWDSLEY
Stephanie first
contacted the group in February 2015. She
had been searching the internet for information on walks in the Algarve and had
contacted Terry Ames regarding the Algarve Way.
Terry suggested contacting AWW.
We had been walking in the Algarve since 2006, we inherited a one-week
timeshare at Quinta do Lago in 2003. We
used the Rother Walking Guide for the Algarve for the first few years, and then
the Cicerone “Walking in the Algarve” guide by Julie Statham.
Our first walk
with AWW was on 18 February 2015, led by Geoff.
He took us to an area where we hadn’t walked before. We were both surprised that so many people in
the group had connections with Yorkshire (we live in West Yorkshire). We also met Ros, with her Shropshire
connection, where Stephanie spent her childhood. Stephanie also spent quite some time talking
to John the Cyclist about ultradistance cycling. Her boss had cycled from Lands End heading
for John O’Groats on a tandem with Glen Longland. John the Cyclist knew Glen well.
On 17 February
2016 Geoff was the walk leader again. Barragem do Funcho-Val Fuzeiros with the
Amorosa Extension.
15 February
2017: Roger Gray’s lead, with modified route because the amount of rain which
had fallen that week. An unexpected highlight of the walk was to wait on the
side of the road for the Tour of the Algarve cyclists to pass.
21 February
2018: Sue Minnis led us on a version of the Goldra circular walk, with a stop
at her house for a delicious lunch.
Thank you Sue. On 14 February
2017 we had attempted this walk, having obtained the route from David L’s
website, www.onfootinthealgarve.com.
Unfortunately we had to cut the walk short because of torrential rain
and a thunderstorm. We waded through several
flooded fields that year. It was great
to join the group on a sunny day in 2018 to complete the route without rivers
running down the tarmac roads.
27 February
2019 : Ribba e Serra Wilderness. Linda
and Russell led us through countryside which we had not visited before. We really enjoy being able to explore the
Algarve with the group.
19 February
2020: Exploring the countryside and riverside north of the Arade with Terry
Mace. This was listed as a moderately
difficult walk, which I would normally have no problem with. However, my energy levels were low.
Update 2021: When
I returned to the UK last year I wasn’t well and discovered I had an infection
which caused my exhaustion. It was a
dental abscess and thankfully I had the tooth extracted just before the UK went
into lockdown.
We use the blog
and walk reports to plan our own walks, we check the routes on Google Maps
before travelling to Portugal and print out detailed maps from Google to show
junctions which may cause problems for us.
