Aguas Frias 5th May 2021

 As the restrictions have reduced, 10 of us met at the "end of the road"  Aguas Frias Cafe.

Alan, Ken, Martin, Brenda, Rafa, David, Sue M, Dave, Bica, Miriam, Ros and Frank M

 It was a gorgeous morning, the sun was shinning and it was heating up. After coffees etc, we set off just on time. The first hour was uphill.

It was not very long before we all needed a breather. So we stopped and gazed back at the conurbation of Aguas Frias.

While most of us were catching our breath, Ken and Alan were discussing the various merits of measuring stick styles.

Alan: I prefer a straight stick. you cannot hang it on a tree and forget it. It is almost impossible to lose.
Ken: I think that the hooked ones are much better. It allows you to go to the front of the line in Lidl.

I thought that they should have been discussing the flowers, but you know what men are like when discussing their equipment.

So as we climbed, it was hot, steep and the flowers were gorgeous. But what do the flowers attract, apart from AWWers. Yes bees.

What a fashion statement?

and is that Benny Hill patting Ros on the head to kill the bees

We survived and eventually got to the trig point.

And then it was down all the way to Zambujal

But the roller coaster continued and soon we were marching back uphill towards the Alentajo.

At least David was distancing, or does he just not have women talk.

Just as we were about to reach the Alentajo, Miriam decided to feel a little dizzy. So we stopped and she had a drink and some food. She then was convinced to take a foul tasting isotonic drink and had her hair messed with a damp cloth.

She was fine, but the leader decided to take her and Ken back to Aguas Frias by a mainly downhill short route while the rest of the group was led by Ros further uphill and then down the track that she uses on her return from Sao Barnabe.

However the two groups met up just as we were both entering the outskirts of Aguas Frias.

The men went down to the river to check for the ferry

And Alan returned: but where is his walking pole. In the hills.

So we all went to the cafe and had a drink

The beer was fine

Route and Statistics.

Red was the main group
Green was the shortcut
Blue was the planned section which we missed out

Distance 12.6km

Frank M

6th May 2021