In Search of the 10 Petal cistus

 We met at Cafe Miramar up at Malhao on 21st April 2021 for our first walk, when a sophisticated six were allowed. However, not all invited, were able to attend, so we had to be happy with a fabulous four.

Frank M, Ros, Bica (making a statement) Ken and Miriam.

It was cool so everyone was searching in their cars for more clothes. This confused Ken and so he left his walking pole in the car rather than half way round.

This walk was planned 2 years ago. I had done a recce in early May 2019. The cistus were coming to an end, but I saw lots of multi petal cistus including about six with 9 petals. I had planned to lead a walk in April 2020 to find the elusive 10 petal cistus. However the big C prevented. I did another recce earlier in the week and again found several 9 petal cistus. I needed more eyes.

9 petal cistus from recce.

We set of down the hill towards Zambujal, but soon turned off north into the valley behind Malhao.

At least Miriam was taking the search for the 10 petal cistus seriously
Ken, he was just cold and not sure what to do with his hands as his walking pole was in the car

Miriam's diligence and persistence was rewarded.

10 petal cistus.

Honest; trust me; would I lie to you? it is a 10 petal cistus. The other petals are at the back and all have spots. However to photograph all the spots we would have had to damage the flower. If you do not believe me ask any of the others or even Bica. We will all tell the same agreed story.

Happy and contented, we sauntered on and down into the valley.

And we remembered to social distance

We walked down into the valley and up the other side ( and it was a HILL) without a care in the world.

 

The colours were glorious.

We found a shady spot for lunch.

We were now in the Alentajo and the topography is very different from that of the Algarve around Malhao

But Ros did not care. She just wanted her cake and eat it.

After a leisurely lunch we set off and began our search for Alentajo cistus,

No! That is just another 9 petal cistus

 However, Bica was getting fed up with all these stops. 

Oi! Can we get a move on? I would like to get home for dinner.

But the fabulous four were not for hurrying. During this pandemic they have found that sauntering is more to their taste than rushing up and down hills. It provides an opportunity to photograph the lupins.

Cultivating Lupins for Maria's Tremecos

Sauntering also provides an opportunity to find more 10 petal cistus, just before we arrived back in Malhao.

Now who is going to find the 11 petal cistus?

The Statistics

Distance                16.6km

Elevation change   487m

Walking time         4hrs 35 mins

Pace                       3.6km/hr just right

Beer                       Sagres and fine

Flowers / colours   gorgeous           

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....and a PS from Ros....Hi - I didn't have time to send this for the blog

Masses of wild flowers and a first sighting of a new variety , the climbing, but never trailing, variegated Scot 🤣

...and a PPS from Yves, here's an elusive 10 pointer  he found earlier , they are getting to be rather common!