Thou Shalt Not Miss Alte

                              

                                                           Thou Shalt Not Miss Alte

                                            Summer recess walk and lunch - 24th June, 2020.

From the left: Yves, Scott, Martin, Sarah, Roger, the local resident, Balthazar,  Sue, Terry, Jim, Nancy and the photographer and leader, Jan. 

Unfortunately, due to their work commitments we were without Linda and Russell. And further ailments and injuries prevented Ros, Ken and Miriam from walking, but they were able to join us for lunch.

We met up at the O Folclore restaurant in Alte for a walk planned to be shorter than usual due to the high temperatures and also to give us enough time to beautify ourselves before sitting for lunch. Well, it didn't turn out like that. We started a little later than the stated time due to a communications matter which made us a bit behind our scheduled time for lunch.    

So, we trundled up the high street and came upon a sculpture? Animal, vegetable or mineral?  No, it is Yves not social distancing!!!

Yves, given up social distancing.

As we manoeuvred around the sculpture we started our climb out of the village passing an amazing number of whitewashed houses with fine lace chimneys. 

These chimney stacks are a  common characteristic of Alte which led many to believe that it was once inhabited by the Moors.  Following our whippet, Sue, I realised that we were heading in the wrong direction so I doubled back to the sculpture and made the right turn.

Orange groves at the opposite side of the valley.

We were then given a clear view of the opposite side of the valley showing orange orchards in their splendid glory. We continued on the Via Algarviana path which took is down to a tarmac crossing where we turned left and headed for Termos. 

Has she hung her bike up for good?

Here, we left the VA route taking us slightly off-piste and eventually onto a road which led us to Alcaria Do Joao. At this point, we rejoined the VA, passing beautiful seeded fields and guessing, that these were owned by market traders. 

Beautiful maintained fields. Close to Terca.

Here we walked up into a small settlement where we turned left towards Terca.  We immediately took the GR13 route where we headed West and followed a flat gentle path flanked by tangerine groves. They oozed a citrus scent which followed us for some time. Here, we satisfied our thirst with the sweetness and juiciness of the fruit while, at the same time, making the best of some shade. 

Tangerine orchard.

We continued along this path which headed uphill to a junction where we turned into Santa Margarida where we have started many an AWW in the past with the lovely Terry A, one of the AWW’s great  leaders. We miss him so much for his leadership and his gentle manner when guiding. Here, we stopped for more water and shade while Jim suggested his body was leaking!!!!

Yes, another water stop.  

We climbed the steps to the Church and wiggled our way through the small streets. 

Wiggling through the Santa Margarida village.

Upon leaving the village, we followed the path to another small incline. Once at the top we had splendid views across the valley to a hamlet which I think is called Marcera. Here, at the cairn that I had made when recce-ing,  we headed downhill to a tarmac road. While Sue was edging her way down with the aid of her poles, Martin was shouting some encouraging words!!!!

Yves, on the hoof. Not, believing the leader!

Now, on the road, we had to take a long incline on tarmac accompanied by some less encouraging comments, " How many inclines???"  Well, it was just one long one!!! 

So, once we got to the top of the incline(s), instead of continuing on tarmac, we manoeuvred an overgrown path which ran more or less parallel to the tarmac road. Here, we congregated and had another water stop before turning left and headed downhill back into Alte. 

                                                      

                                  View of Alte as we were approaching. Clearly showing their flag                                                              painted on the rock. Now showing trees and houses on the bottom

Roger and Scott in deep conversation; how cold will that first beer be?

Among the beautiful, well-kept houses we meandered through the village's small 'ginnels' and 'snickets' heading for our lunch rendezvous, the O Folclore restaurant. 

Alte, is one of the most typical villages in the Algarve strategically situated on an elevated position, and was once used as a reference point for Portuguese sailors returning from their adventures. 

A local artist remembers past residents on their house walls.

As we were about 30 minutes behind our scheduled time, there was little or no opportunity for most of us to change into something more, er, fragrant; so then we congregated for lunch. 

Finally, the season has now ended but a toast was raised to Geoff for his co-coordinating duties. A big thank you to Geoff from us all! Thank you, also to the staff and Monica and Phillip, the owner's of the O Folclore restaurant, for providing an excellent lunch. Thank you also to Terry for his stats. 

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a lovely summer, and I will see you in the Autumn. Keep safe! And, to quote the late, great, Dame Vera, who died this week at 103, "We'll meet again!"