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).