Yes, April, 2018..... here is my blog.
During the lockdown I had decided to review the blogger and look for an AWW which I lead in 2018 and may well repeat when we can all be together again. But, I wanted to read it and decide whether it was too difficult to tread once again. But, it was nowhere to be seen. Not on the Blog site, not in my files nor hidden away in Cloud 9. So, no more to do than ask around.
David couldn't find it, was given Black marks from the coordinator for not completing the blog!!! And, the following remarks from Snr Esperanca..... "Maybe it got censored!!!! I wonder why that might be?" So, being like a Yorkshire terrier, I decided that I wasn't going to give up. And, here we are thanks to Jim and Alan for finding the report. Now I have been demerited by the coordinator!!! And, here it is somewhat late and not censored! Must be the latest file to be blogged in history. Enjoy.
“QUE SERRA, SERRA” AWW WALK REPORT. 25TH APRIL, 2018
The Starters:
Back Row: John, Alan. Nick, Sue M, Isobel, Jim, Hazel, Martin, Marianne, Frank, Karen, Gill, Ken, Pam, Steve.
Front row forward: Miriam with her trusty, four-legged friend, Bica (tight-head prop). Rose somehow got the wrong Serra and didn’t make it. We think she’s lost in Sierra Leone. Despite dire warnings of ascents and descents these brave walkers attended.
We met at the newly opened tapas bar, Janela de Serra, for coffee. Before leaving we were blessed by the Church for our ascension unto the unknown and greater heights. Our easy walk down to the main N124 road, passing “cat corner”, was soon to change as we could already see our first ascent looming on the mountainous horizon.
But first we reached the village of Coruja and gave a quick wave across to the neighbouring hamlet where Terry A lives. Meandering our way through the village the path took us to the beginning of the first ascent towards the heavens. And what an ascent this was to be!
Then it was on up... followed by more “on up”, passing an abundance of floribunda sights, until we reached a ridge affording great views over the valley below and a sight not to be forgotten... how did Jim get there before the rest of us???
So we had finally reached the top of the first ascent, a climb of 1.7kms. At that point, ‘Snr Esperança’ decided he was far too mature to continue - partly due to his recent role as ‘personal trainer’ for his happy pilgrims. So, at this point, he decided to backtrack to Salir. After a quick wave goodbye to John, we followed the ridge which shortly petered out turning into a skippy, slippy steep descent to the main road with signposts to Salir and Freixo Seco. No AWW members enjoy tarmac, however, so with that as an excuse, we crossed the road and, yes, took a track up the facing, even more formidable, hill.
“Byeeeee! See you all later”
Eventually we reached the inevitable trig point with 360 degree views of the valley below: Freixo Seco to the north and Salir to the south. The leader, feeling duty bound both to AWW and Maria, foolishly climbed the trig.
At another, much needed, water stop, Marianne thought she would prefer some “sweeties” on the grounds that they might give her more energy. At this request, the leader promptly produced some sugar-coated, chocolate confection. How’s that for attentive leadership? Now sustained, we gathered our goods and chattels and began our descent to the valley below. When recce-ing, the idea was to take a more direct track crossing over to another ridge from here, but when the recce party (Rose and Jan) peered over, it seemed too steep that one felt one might need skis rather than walking boots. So the revised route which the QSS Walk followed descended from here to a minor road in the valley, followed by a short walk (about 100 metres) to yet another point of ascent on a track heading back up to the ridge we had been following.
At the end of this we made our way down to a concrete road where we had another rest and further refreshments. Ken seemed to have lost some weight so costume adjustments became necessary. When we were finally all re-attired, we walked along the road to the start of another incline. This was a long up-hill. But then, at the top, we had even more numerous ‘uppy-downy’ stoney tracks to navigate.
Did Martin really need Bica to pull him up??? Or was it the other way around???
Some
of us reached the windmill for lunch at 1PM, whereupon a well-deserved rest
along with refreshments were enjoyed while enhanced by breath taking views and
some welcome shade. Alas, Miriam was
suffering from the heat and arrived a little later with her Knight in Shining Armour,
Alan, who had held back with her. Needless to say, the lunch took a little
longer than planned thus allowing them a much needed breather. It also gave Sue
M, teacher/nurse, time to administer some hydration to Miriam and a plaster for
Martin. Has Sue M really got that
kitchen sink in her rucksack??
Once we were all watered, fed and rested we made our way down hill to the main road and congregated on a bridge where we found a shady spot and some water for Bica before we got onto the main Alcaria to Barrosas road. We headed south on tarmac and, after some 500 metres, we took a left up through Alcaria village where we meanendered, between cottages, following a single grassy track which led us back onto the main road. After a couple of hundred metres we took a left onto a vehicular track through shady woods. We eventually came onto a sand track where we turned right and reached the N124. Crossing this road, we entered onto a concrete lane adjacent to a, now-defunct, sausage factory. We then headed towards the Aqua Belas route (or “water route” ) which takes you around Salir and the surrounding hamlets. The fields on either side of the path were a mass of colourful spring flowers. Although, we were on the Aqua Belas route we crossed a couple of “fords” which were so devoid of anything wet that they hardly merited the epithet. For once we had no need for water-crossing shoes or supermarket bags! Has summer arrived?
Now we had the penultimate hill to climb but thankfully we had the good fortune (or was it superb planning?) to take advantage of a much needed shady path now that the temperature had risen to a around the melting point of mercury – or, at least, of AWW-ers!
Up through the village and
now the chaps were smelling the beer and champing at the bit.....
And the Pilgrim returns to a happy reunion with her husband.
Now don’t we look athletic..... nearly there, just around the next corner.
Martin couldn’t hide his emotions... only a few steps away from that cool beer.
Why, oh why, does Snr Esperança looks so fit and refreshed. Answers by email, please. We all enjoyed a well-deserved beer at the tapas bar - well, some of us did - While Isobel indulged in a Salmon fishcake tapa with a lovely glass of wine.
Thank you all for joining me and I hope that it was memorable – if only the ‘ups!
Departure: 09.30.
Lunch: 00.45 mins.
Finish. 15.00 hours
Ascent: 1040 metres (as per G.E.)
Length: 15 kms
Official
photographer: Snr Esperança
at the beginning and the end!
