AWW Wednesday 30th March 2022

Around Cova da Muda    

After a long spell of rainy weather a brave seven determined hikers gathered at Fonte Ferrea prepared for the worst. Fortunately the gods smiled on us and the weather was surprisingly nice if a bit windy at times.

The hardy seven were provided with coffee and home made cakes by Sue before lining up for the usual mug shot:

From left: Alan (back from wintering in the Canaries), Frank, David, Karen, Sue and Moira with Rafa ready for the off.

We set off not up the usual hill as everyone expected but a nice gentle stroll along the valley to the first of very many water crossings. Sue had already decided wet feet was the order of the day:

We then started a series of short hills and more water crossings where Karen demonstrated her balletic training while Frank addressed a wardrobe malfunction:

The real business began then on a looonnnggg slow climb to eventually arrive at a miradouro: 

The views were lovely but David was less than impressed with the seemingly never ending hill:

 Hands on hips, no prize for guessing what he was thinking !

Having reached the viewpoint, time for a few photos and a welcome lunch:

Sue, the eternal organised teacher is already taking drink orders!

After lunch on and on over the rise to the watchtower:

We then started a slow descent back to the Fonte mostly along a single file trail ideal for adventurous mountain bikers. Along the way encountering many many water crossings and puddles:

After one last stream crossing we were back at the Fonte with a nice surprise to see the Cafe open, the sun shining and the lovely sound of water gurgling:

Time for a well deserved drink and chat.

Total distance just short of 15km but with a respectable 349m of ascent.

Well done to everyone and thanks to Sue for the coffee and cakes and to Alan for some great photos...

Martin

Thursday 31st

Que Serra and the Deserters - AWW Blog 9th March, 2022

 

QUE SERRA AND THE DESERTERS - AWW WALK REPORT 

 Despite the warnings of ascents and descents, these brave walkers attended.

Sue M, Terry M, Terry A, David, Karen, Miriam, Rachel, Ken and three furry four-legged friends.

Due to those ascents I deliberately cut the length of walk to 15kms . We met at the Tapas Bar in Salir before our easy walk down to the main road, passing “cat corner” on the way. Before leaving we were blessed by the Church for our ascension unto the unknown and greater heights. This 'blessing' was soon to be needed as we began the first hill; on and on and on ‘till we reached the ridge affording great views over the valleys.

 

But first we reached the village of Coruja. Meandering our way through the village the path took us to the beginning of the first ascent toward the heavens. And what an ascent this was to be!

A gentle stroll toward Coruja.

An abundant display of Freesias. 

Plodding upwards  - ascending to great heights .

We eventually reached the first ridge after a 1.7kms hike with an ascent of 474 metres! Time for derobing, resting and a water intake.

   All refreshed we followed the ridge which shortly petered out turning into a skippy, slippy steep           descent to the main road with signposts to Salir and Freixo Seco.  This was a hill to remember (all as it said the manual!). The plan was to cross the tarmac road and head, up the facing, even more formidable hill. 

 Then anarchy set in.......            “I didn’t like that." "Are there any more downies and, if so are they as difficult” I confirmed, "Yes. One more but not quite as steep."

“My knees are not good” “ I’ve done enough of those hills so I think that I will give it a miss.” Well, I did say that I was coming but, having seen the up, I think that I will give it a miss”. " My back is hurting"

So, after a short, sweet conversation, Terry A led the deserters away from the hill on easy tarmac with great sighs of relief. 

The downie in question!!!

I am allowed to lose 10 percent? But, to lose 50 percent of humans and 66 percent of four legged furry friends. Unsurpassed by AWW!!!

Then the remaining 50 percent started up... followed by more “up”, passing an abundance of floribunda sights, until we reached a ridge affording great views over the valley below and a sight not to be forgotten.

Eventually we reached the inevitable trig point with 360 degree views of the valley below:  Freixo Seco to the north and Salir to the south. ( What, no one climbed it?...Ed)

At another, much needed, water stop. When recce-ing, the idea was to take a more direct track crossing over to another ridge from here, but when the recce party (Di, Rachel and Jan) peered over, it seemed too steep that one felt one might need skis rather than walking boots.  So we revised the route and

and made our way down to a concrete road where we had another rest and further refreshments.  It was decided that we change the route and not head up to the ridge and onto the windmills. We thought that we must not be too late getting back to meet up with the deserter group.

Having taken an adventurous trail through someone’ s Horta we came to the main N124; however it was fenced off. Instead we back-tracked and went around the house and came out onto the N124. Thereupon we  headed off-road at the entrance of the, now-defunct, sausage factory which is now a Honey processing plant. We then headed towards the Aqua Belas route (or “water route” ) which takes you around Salir and the surrounding hamlets.  The fields on either side of the path are normally a mass of colourful spring flowers and here I think that we found a stray deserter.

 Although we were on the Aqua Belas route, we crossed a couple of “fords” which were so devoid of anything wet that they hardly merited the epithet. For once we had no need for water-crossing shoes or supermarket bags!  Has summer arrived? No, lack of rain. At this point, Martin’s tummy was making more grumbling noises so we had to stop for some refreshments and a small bite.

 

Now we had the penultimate hill to climb, but thankfully it was a shady path with a bit of cloud cover. We eventually reached the Tapas Bar ahead of the deserters for some apres walk refreshments.

Martin got a whiff of the Cider!!

 Now that we had arrived at the Tapas Bar,  where were the deserters? A mystery.  

The Remainers.

Cars still parked up but no AWW mutineers to be seen. So, after a short call to Sue M, all  became clear. They had taken a walk around the lanes and eventually arrived back at Terry A’s house for coffee and, when we called, were just about to finish lunch. “ Of course! Do take your time and please don’t rush!”  Shortly, after being well fed, they finally came up the hill and we were reunited once again.

All together once again, phew!!!

 

This was the original plan for all AWW.            Revised plan for remainers.

Departure: 10.00                                                  Departure: 10.00

Lunch:         00.20 mins.                                       Lunch:        00.05 mins

Finish.         15.00 hours                                       Finish:         12.30 hours

Ascent:        1040 metres                                      Ascent:        474 meters 

Length:       15 kms                                               Length:       9.7kms

Jan

(This is what it said on the tin...."I have reduced the kms to 15 as it is a hard one. Many climbs and, of course, what goes up must come down. "....so everyone was warned...Ed).

 

Barranco do Velho March 2nd 2022

 

A small group of walkers met at the Tia Bia café Barranco do Velho. David, Terry M, Sue M, Karen, Susan, Ken, John, Martin and Jan plus Bica and Rafa, and Miriam taking the photo.

The first section was an add on to make up the distance and Miriam soon took a wrong turn! Thank goodness for All Trails navigation and we were soon on the correct path.  Terry did point out we'd just done a big circle back to where we'd started from .... yes Terry but I did say we had to make up the kilometres!

Time for the first banana break.

Then we spotted some flowers in the Ukranian colours so we stopped to reflect on their horrific situation. 

                                                                                        And passed by a beautifully kept cemetery.

Rafa and Bica found some water to play in 

     

There were some ups ................                  and some downs

 Some off piste ....                                      and some strange signs in the middle of nowhere

Lunch was taken in the ruins of an old house having just walked through a very jaggy cistus path. Miriam had to repair cuts to her arms and legs!

After lunch we crossed the road over to the Motor cross trail park and saw the huge landfill site.  The smell was awful but we were amazed by the depth and the excavation and the plastic lining.

After that we came upon a windmill and David gave us the story.  Unfortunately I didn't hear it as I was taking photos.  Maybe someone would like to add that! The youngest person didn't volunteer to climb the trig so David did!

We saw some stunning views along the ridge of the VA

Then it was back to the Tia Bia for a well earned drink.  The café has gone very upmarket and it was a popular lunch spot so we had quite a wait.  Note the Algarve Senior bikers bikes in the background.  After a good lunch they tried to set off only to find one of the bikes wouldn't start!  A car with jump leads came to the rescue and eventually they got it started much to our delight, as the rest of the group were enjoying revving their engines while they waited.  Shame Ros' husband Phil was away otherwise he might have got some stick!!

THE ALTERNATIVE AWW - DOWN THE RIO SECO

A Record of the day rather than a blog.

Due to a mid afternoon GP appointment, I had to decline Geoff's invitation to meet up at the Honey Cafe and decided to return to one of my lockdown bubble walks which I loved. So, I asked Julie and Tony if they would like to join me. Then there were three.  A few days later David joined then there were four... thought that I was creeping up on Geoff's numbers. Yet anothet, our dear Sue M who had been suffering with badly bruised ribs decided to join and eventually Rachel came along, too. All in all, having a threesome to wander the hills eventually finished with 6 of us!! 

David, Rachel, Jan, Tony, Julie and Sue M. No furry, four-legged friends.

Photo by Rayner Otter.

After a 10.00 meet at Alagoas, a small hamlet outside Salir we headed off to our first river crossing. No water!!!  When I did this walk in the spring we crossed this meandering river 9 times ending up with very wet feet. 

It was a cool start but shortly after we began to derobe. We gently climbed but the good news was what went up must come down. But not such good news for Julie and Sue. Thankfully, Martin M was missing which Sue gave a sigh of relief !!!

Yes, a breather......

Are we really going up there???  Just joking but we are going down here!!!

A few helping words from Tony gave Sue confidence whilst we waited in the shade.....

As I mentioned earlier we crossed the meandering Rio Seco 9 times in the Spring which was very different today. As of now, we had fairly dry feet and avoided the need for water crossing shoes. but where is the water???? Definitely Rio Seco.  

Alas....

We found some but easy to cross with the well stones.

Does that one wobble, David? 

Another crossing....  Sue gingerly gets there. No hurry, Sue, Martin M is not behind you.

I didn't wander lonely but, hey around the corner .... a host of Burmuda buttercups.

Olive grafting at it's best..... amazing. 
. 

A little respite. Apres walk drinks in a little cafe on the 124 a few kms from the start point. We really did appreciate Sue M's patience with the owner. Slow, slow and sloth slow!!! But we were watered or something like that eventually.

RECORD

Length:                Not a real AWW in old money - 9.78 kms.

Elevation Gain:   318

Calories:              676. (Most important)

Crossing:             9 but mostly dry.