Striding the Rio Seco - not so Seco!

Gates open and we are off, albeit in a bubble. And it's a bubble, Jim, but not as we know it - it's an AWW bubble!!!

Martin with Rafa, our lovely four-legged friend, Jan, (the leader) and Isabel. Photo taken by Alan.

As Fred Barnard wrote  "A picture is worth a thousand words."   He wrote this phrase in the advertising trade journal, Printers' Ink. 

And that is how my blog will take shape. 

I had recce'd this trail during the many walks I had done in lockdown, and this was one of my favourites. I had offered a 14kms or a 19.5 kms to the rest of the team but the consensus was to take the shorter, and I guess this was a good idea since the temperature was hitting 25 degrees. 

So, we left Alagoas at 10.00, excited at getting together at last - and Rafa was champing at the bit.

Our first Seco crossing!!! But, no problem with Isabel wading across with those heavy military-style boots.

Martin at the ready. Just a small crossing this time.

As the temperatures rose we slowly pulled ourselves up the many hills, yet, as this was Rafa's first long haul, he showed no signs of fatigue as he romped around. 

Rafa, happy after lockdown.

Top of Carrasqueiro

We were flanked by cistus and yellow broom clad hillsides and the observant eye of Isabel found a cistus with a rare eight points.

We were now at Bicao Alto, feeling a little tired, so we decided that at the next shady, grassy knoll we would break for lunch. But, alas another hill.....

Finally, Martin noticed a shady, lunch stop ahead.... but I didn't see the pine needles.... ouch!

A much needed rest and some sustenance to keep us going.

Having had a short break we were off down the hill, only to find more water!!!

Perfect stepping stones.

With no further ado, having made a successful crossing.... guess what?

One giant leap for mankind!

And, some slightly modest steps as I gingerly crossed, too!

From here, we were on our last few kilometres and, by now, Martin was dreaming about some cold ciders which would be waiting for him at the finish.

But, first we came upon another hillside with a host of golden. . .

We stood around in awe. Nature at it's best.

As we approached the end, and having deviated a little, we finished with a disappointing 12 kilometers!! But, this had been a hard one. We all felt it had been more like 20!!!  

Data

Length: 12kms

Hills:      Many!

Lunch:   15 mins

Time in total: Not telling!!!

Café at the end. Janela da Serra Tapas bar. We were so happy to get there that I had forgotten to take a finish photo. So, I am using one I prepared earlier.

Janela da Serra

Thank you to our photographer, Alan and his generosity at the Tapas bar. And Martin for his images and map trail.