Via Algarviana, Day 10, Arade Barragem to Silves or the voyage of the Bounty.

The crew gathered in Silves before the voyage and found that we had a couple of ‘press ganged’ additions before the mast. It was a beautiful morning in Silves as the sun rose above the castle and the storks decorated houses and street lights around the town.

The drive from Silves to the start at the Arade Dam (called the Salazaar Dam after the late dictator of Portugal) was completed without incident with a short wait for Jan to meet us there. After a couple of panicky phone calls the last crew member, Jan, arrived at the start bang on time.

From left to right: Jane, Kevin, Ros, Ken, Marian, Jan, Miriam, Sue, Linda, Geoff (AKA Fletcher Christian), Jill, David, Susan, Jim (AKA Capt. Bligh), John and at the front, Alan and Bica.

We set sail on a beautiful morning along the shores of the Arade reservoir and almost immediately crossed the path of another group of walkers although small but better organised. This group walked in a well coordinated group as they were Pine Processionary caterpillars ( Thaumetopoea pityocampa).

We carefully avoided the caterpillars and admired the views across the reservoir although it was clear that the water levels were very low for this time of year.

We had a fair wind and reassurances from our captain that there was only one uphill stretch so off we trekked.

 There were ups:-

 There were muddy patches :-

 There were water crossings:-

 Much to Bica’s liking!

 Susan and Sue even found a table and chairs to enjoy a rest and chat:-

 We took our lunch in a narrow valley surrounded by Eucalyptus trees.

 After lunch we continued along the valley where we met a road and stopped at a plaque in memory of one of the first walkers to traverse what has become the Via Algarviana, Maurice Clyde. David told the story of his first attempts to plot the route and get recognition for the walk.

 We left the memorial to Maurice and that’s where the trouble started. The valley ended and the route continued one of two ways, up or level. Our captain Bligh (Jim) had already told us that there were no more hills but then insisted we climb the hill; the second in command, Mr Christian (Geoff) was about to lead a mutiny and set Capt. Bligh adrift but a Via Algarviana marker was spotted on the upward trail so Mr Christian and his co-mutineers followed the captain uphill albeit with some grumbling and suggestions about keel-hauling and walking the plank. Mutiny averted we found a cairn of stones at the top of the hill and each walker was invited to add a stone to the AWW Jenga pile. All managed to place a stone, although I’m sure somebody cheated.

 As we crested the hill and finished our Jenga build, the castle of Silves came into view, it was all too much for Kevin who decided to take a seat which was fortunate as some one had left one conveniently on the slope.

After prising Kevin out of his seat, we had a pleasant, downhill stroll back into Silves where a cold drink at the Castello Café awaited us. (mutinies forgotten and Jim not lynched!)

Alan