EAWW Walk May 20th 2020 Corte Garcia Meander

EAWW Walk May 20^th 2020 Corte Garcia Meander

Braving the Covid-19 pandemic and the hottest day of the year so far five hardy Algarve Wednesday Walkers from the central or Easter Algarve met near Corte Garcia for a planned 16km hike around the hills of Corte Garcia near Querenca.

The 5 brave hikers strictly observing social distance were: Jan, Roger, Alan, Frank and Martin (taking the photo).

We set off at a brisk pace down the river valley on a glorious morning with the first of several river crossing quickly in view. For some unexplained reason the photographers were keeping a close eye on Jan expecting some splash opportunity possibly.

As the heat increased we then took on the first of the hills.

Leading to some wonderful views over the empty countryside:

By this time it was getting seriously hot and the infrequent shade opportunities were eagerly exploited.

We slowly wound our way up, down along the river valley drawing nearer to our planned lunch stop in Querenca.

At this stage there was some mutterings about the heat, the hills and the distance left to cover. 

An informal straw poll quickly determined there was little appetite to take on another long hill post lunch so sanity prevailed and unanimously we decided lunch (plus refreshing cold drink) followed by nice downhill stroll back to the cars was the better option.

A lovely cold Sagres over lunch later we meandered our way down hill through the Corte Garcia countryside back to our cars.

The total distance was a very respectable 14km on a very hot day that hit 33C.

Thanks to Alan for his lovely photos.

Martin McKenna