Cold Waters and Medronho 

Wednesday 2nd December promised to be a dry, suny day - not too hot and not too cold and everyone released from lockdown so just right for a hilly hike in the Caldeirao hills.After a quick coffee at the Aguas Frias café and a smile to the camera

                                              David, Miriam,Ken,Bica and Frank. Jasper absent as he is unwell.  

we were off down to the bridge to gaze at a flowing River Arade

and then northwards up the wide track to

Lots more water gurgling below 

 and blue skies above

As we walked down to the river at Zambujal Miriam was intrigued to see a lady doing her washing in the aguas frias of the Arade - not a common sight in Vale do Lobo !

After more water gazing it was onwards and upwards until we crossed the boundary into the Alentejo

From here it was mostly downhill to Sao Barnabé and lunch at the picnic spot beside the River Oudelouca - plenty of aguas frias here today.

They chose the seat with a label - no comment !

Leaving the village we were surprised to see Ronaldo resting in a fig tree

but we soon had other things on our minds or rather aguas frias on our feet. The water was deeper than it looked and 3 foolhardies had a soaking - Frank claimed to have kept his feet dry but this could have been false news.

                         

Ken, however, had been kitted out by his dentist ! with 100% waterproof galoshes
 

couldn't resist one more watery photo 

and then it was uphill all the way to the top of the world. Walking along these wide unmade roads means 5 abreast can natter and chatter alltogether 

 or just silently take in the views

Heading downhill again we noticed an abundance of modronho bushes lining the track - the fruit has been picked and will be gently distilling - somewhere - but the bushes are covered with pink and white flowers 

           

Walking this route last year we met some big fat black pigs on the track but today we only came across one big fat black toad

One last hill 

 and back down to Aguas Frias for drinkies. Photo of very lively pepper plants and geraniums and, in the background, a rather less lively and ever so slightly Fatigued Five.

Stats to follow !!!