AWW - Querenca 29-12-2021

 

AWW - Querenca 29-12-2021

 

From left to right: Barry, Beulah, David, Frank, Tony, Julie, Sue, Karen, Brenda, dog. And Sergio taking the photo.

People in the photos look larger than usual. Of course, it’s because of the holidays but also because I used a wide angle lense. In addition, because Frank noticed I had my zip undone, some photos might be out of focus.

Ready for the off, and colour coordinated in rainbow colours, we lined up for our marching orders outside the Café Rosa in Querenca, the ghostly shadow of a leafless tree extending its skeletal branches behind us. 

I borrowed one of David’s hike routes and followed it with my GPS application. Remarkably, all went well.

 

We are off to a great pace along the empty roads that lead to the Alentejo.

 

The going got tougher as we climbed the steep hill to Cepo to an altitude of nearly 500 m.

All good so far.  Beautiful blue sky and no sign of last week’s dalek.

  

Then, low and behold, two Daleks appeared from nowhere. Sporting a new version, with powerful electric engines 4x4.

They quickly caught up with the forward group.

 

Finally, at the top of the hill the Daleks cornered the group and told them to surrender. Tony was so shocked that he could not even bring himself to raise his hands.

Julie and Karen surrendered immediately, Tony was still undecided, but Brenda made for the first floor, safe in the knowledge that daleks can’t climb stairs. 

 

The Daleks took all our food and drove off towards the African savanna, i.e. Alentejo.

 

David and Brenda checked that the road was all clear. David surveys the landscape from the turret of a buried submarine. He could not get down, so we left him there.

Everybody at the top of Cepo.

 

We slowly marched down to the valley.

 

Brenda’s dog never barked. Good dog.

 

But these dogs did bark, providing the soundtrack of most walks in the Algarve.

 

Having no food left, Tony tried to catch a gold fish in Fonte Benemola.

 

Back in Querenca for a well-deserved beer.

About 1500 calories burned, enough for a few more drinks to celebrate the New Year.

 

AWW WWW December 22, 2021

 An AWW WWW (Algarve Wednesday Walkers Wet Winter Walk)

There was a break in the clouds at 08.30 and the rain had ceased. I pressed the button and sent the email confirming it was GO!

I had originally had six acceptances to walk, which with me would be a Magnificent Seven. This was an inauspicious number, but luckily 3 dropped out and only 4 turned up at Font Ferrea for the 09.30 start.

Sergio, Julie, Frank and Tony

We were all dry and there was only a very heavy drizzle at the time, so we set off.

It got wetter, and the streams had water for the first time this year.

Sergio properly dressed for just a little rain.

And it got wetter and the roads had water as well.

And the Triffids attacked Julie as she tried to slip pass.

And the Triffid was not the only Science Fiction character that was out in the rain. We were stopped by a Dalek, but the rain got into its eyes and we managed to run past. 

We outran the Dalek who got bogged down in the mud

However, there was a bright flash and a few seconds later there was a boom. We were sure it was the Dalek fireing at us, but Tony assured us it was a thunder bolt thrown at us by that Marvel hero Thor. It had missed, but for the next half hour, he threw some more, but we were getting out of range. To check how close, after every flash we would start counting "one elephant, two elephants,....". 

We were concerned that if we went up onto the ridge that Thor might see us and properly target us, so we decided to reduce the planned walk

And it got wetter. We thought we might get swept away in the floods

A wet one

However Sergio advised that he had his climbing rope in his bag, and we could tie oursevlves, if it got any worse.

However, Julie advised that no one was going to tie her up and decided to have another go at the bushes.

And this was still the road and not the stream.

We cut it short and circled up to the road at Cova da Muda, where the rain actually eased off a little.

We then cut back down to Font Ferrea. The Avalanche cafe was closed. There was a notice that they thought that it might be flooded, and they were coming back in the New Year.

We went to the cafe at Alportel.

The rain had momentarily stopped

And we had a cup of coffee and a mince pie. However, the leader had only brought six, so it was auspicious that some had cancelled or there would not have been enough to go round. We did offer the lady at the cafe a mince pie, but she refused as she was on a diet.

Frank M

27th December 2021

 

AWW 2021 12 09: The 25th Anniversary Big Bash

 

Tell it not in Tavira, whisper it not in the Barlovento, but the AWW/WAGs combination assembled, not on a Wednesday, but (Shock ! Horror!) on a THURSDAY, to celebrate their 25^th anniversary.

The proceedings commenced with a walk of modest proportions led by Rod starting from the plaque commemorating Maurice Clyde just outside Silves on the São Marcos road.

Terry Ames and Paul Vismé study the plaque

10 Starters, plus 2 who didn´t

What´s the rush?

Track and Statistics

Distance: 6.05 kms. Time; 1 hr 35 mins. Ascent: 145 metres.

Average speed: a respectable 4.21 kph.

Following the walk, a larger group gathered for the main event, for a description of which we are now pleased to hand the narrative over to David Littlewood.

                        “ AWW and WAGS. 25^th Anniversary Lunch,

            9^th December 2021. Restaurant Recanto dos Mouros, Silves

In spite of renewed concern about Covid infections and sundry other issues, around 30 members of the two groups met to enjoy an excellent lunch and to reminisce. All had been or were members of the AWW, and there were three of the founding walkers present – Rod, Myriam and Tony– the latter of whom has now entered his tenth decade.

Pre-pagamento, of course

The surroundings were pleasant and warm, the food of a high standard, and the service quiet but efficient. 

Following an initial mingle and welcome drink, folk were seated either in fours or sixes, and the chat continued – remarkably, we were all able to hear ourselves think!

After the first two courses, JohnH proposed a double vote of thanks: to Rod for organising the lunch event, and to Geoff for all his efforts as AWW co-ordinator over these past months. Geoff and Sue were sadly unable to attend due to flight complications.

The Three Originals

The Algarve Way Veterans

Rod reminisces 

Following this, Rod talked about some of those present, including nonagenarians Tony and Mike, and other aspects of what is now becoming quite a lengthy story.

We proceeded to the dessert, and to the cutting of a delightful cake celebrating the AWW., organised by Susan Frew, and designed by son Antony Frew.

 Bubbly accompanied the distribution of said confection, and a toast was proposed to the AWW and the WAGS.

Toast to the Future

Ken contributed a pithy and witty summing-up of proceedings,

Ken sums up

and David added a tribute to the pioneering members of the AWW, as the sole surviving member of the ´generation´ which followed on.

It was so good to meet up again with old walking companions, and sad that so many were unable to be there, in particular Hedley, Antje and Chris, Lindsey and Andrew, Janet and Ingrid, as well as relative newcomers like Sergio.

Some might consider it astonishing that in an area with such a shifting population, a group such as this could survive for so long, but I suppose it just goes to show that good ideas have a habit of hanging around. There is still a core of seasoned walkers, almost all of whom also lead, to carry the group forward. And plenty of paths as yet unexplored. Here´s to the next five years!  DL"

And the fun continued even after the lunch was over

PS

As mentioned above, Sue & I were unfortunately not able to be present, due to Easyjet cancelling and rearranging our flights. Ken nobly " volunteered"  to say a few words on behalf of myself and the current AWW.  I obviously don't know what was said, but this is what I planned to say:

"Hi all Algarve Wednesday Walkers, past & present

Sorry to spoil a good meal with a few words, but please bear with me for as brief a time as I can make it.

When Maurice Clyde founded the AWW 25 years ago, I doubt he thought it would still be thriving a quarter of a century later. It is much to his credit & his fellow founding fathers (& mothers) that he hit upon such a successful formula.

There has of course been change; no organisation could survive without it. Some of it has been welcomed with open arms, some, perhaps, not so willingly. I recall once being called a “Johnny-come-Lately”…..but it is us Johnnies who have kept the spirit of the AWW alive. Without us, David would be walking on his own!

Many of the original AWW have moved on to become WAGS….Western Algarve Geriatric Society….sounds like same sort of thing, though less walking and more eating & drinking…..and talking. The AWW still walks weekly: even during covid, in small bubbles. We produce weekly blogs…..not perhaps so erudite as Paul on a good day, but historical reminders and memory joggers. Ideal reading on a wet Sunday afternoon!

To commemorate the 25 years, we had hoped to complete the Via Algarviana, created by the AWW as the Algarve Way. Covid put a stop to that, but 13 of us (plus 1 dog) did make a start, and we aim to finish it next year. We may not do trips abroad or moonlit walks, but we continue to honour the spirit of the founders.

I doubt many present will be here to celebrate the Golden Anniversary, but perhaps we can dream of meeting up for the 30th in 2027, hopefully!

 

Without more ado, I give you the toast:

 

The AWW."

Best wishes, Geoff

VA Day 6 : Messines to Arade dam

 VA Day 6 : Messines to Arade dam

The preliminaries for this walk could take an entire blog in themselves, but a precis to put it in context! This sector is from Messines to Silves, and at 28kms was deemed too long for a day walk, so plan B was to stop at the Funcho dam, but that would be too short at about 14kms. Plan C was to add the PR1 loop at the beginning, but that would be back to too long at 21kms, especially as four walkers were flying back  the next day. Plan D was then to add a bit at the end, finishing with an off-route walk back to Arade dam. This seemed OK, other than we would miss the church in Messines, so plan E was to add that to the start : but you guessed it, that would be too long & involve a lot of tarmac. By then, your co-ordinator was getting caught in cross-fire from those with local knowledge and those  keen to lead and became past-caring. Plan F was thus created, starting at a Dutch nursery on the outskirts of Messines, but meeting at Messines to have a coffee at Cacadores by the bus station. But that wasn't deemed  acceptable for AWW caffeine adicts, so a route to a better coffee shop was planned. In great danger of running out of alphabet, the leader made an executive decision : coffee at Cacadores, start at nursery. Though it wasn't to be....

An added confusion to the carsharing plans ( always a subject of confusion) was that Sue & my results of the covid test, due after 3 hours, hadn't arrived by the evening. Plan Z+1 was hastily devised in case we had to retest the next day, only to realise that poor Alan would be stranded in Messines ( or was it the barragem?...). Plan Z+2 catered for that as long as Ros read her emails that evening and drove to the dam rather than Messines. At 10pm, sighs of relief, negative results received after 10 hours, back to plan whatever!

Hence, it wasn't far short of a miracle that all who were supposed to turn up at the barragem actually made it.....though newcomer Peter had decided that we were all a load of wallies and decided to give his inaugural AWW walk a miss. We drove  to Messines , where the leader did some quick thinking as the Cacadores coffee shop was shut, though he found an acceptable ( to us)  establishment nearby....called Fabico Proprio, which sounds as if they made their own fabric, but think it means they make all their oewn stuff...bread, pastries etc. So far so good, though I omitted to say that Ros woke up suffering from the after-effects of her booster, and couldn't make it......though Sergio then appeared, thinking we were doing Plan A and he would turn back at a suitable point....

So, 12 set off for the nursery, what else could go  wrong?

I soon found out, being attacked by a vicious Panda boot lid....at least I was laughing, and thanks to Alan's plasters that also helped me breathe...

Off and away at last, we paused for our starter photo:

The usual suspects....plus Alan the photograper

Past the donkey stables....

.....and on to the Funcho, where the water levels were quite high....

...though the usually-submerged buildings were visible....

Rain wasn't forecast, but we did get a few transient drops....

But then the sun came out again,  giving beautiful views....

There was some debate over whether to have an early lunch or carry on to a proper picnic spot, but here's the place the canny leader had recce-ed before...

With not only great views, but seating for two....

It was then that Sergio realised we weren't walking the full 28 kms, and going back was as long as continuing, so he continued with us, there being a spare  car space going back from the dam.

A short uphill after lunch ( a leader speciality) before the Funcho dam came in sight and was crossed.

It was then all flat towards the Arade, where we departed from the VA trail and back to the cars...

Thence the drive to Messines, to find Cacadores open, so drinks and mince pies curtesy of Miriam.

Thanks to Gill & Jim for recce and walk leading, to Alan for photos and Susan for stats......though for VA purists, there is the little matter of Messines to Dutch Nursery to do one day...

17.2km ( or 17.4).....Moving 3h 31m, total 4h 27m, av speed 4.9kmh....

Geoff