Last Day of Via Algarviana

 Although this was the final day of the VA, I have to say it was one of the lesser eventful walks we have done.  After driving cars to Cabo Sao Vincente, meeting up with Alan and Carol, we all drove back to Raposiera, for our starter photo.

With the ladies at the back, L to R : Sue, Miriam, Marian, Gill, Susan, Rosand the lads at the front : Alan, Geoff, John, Jim, Ken....and Bica ( actually looking at the camera for once)

From there we walked to Vale do Bispo.  (As we were staying in Vale do Bispo some of us could have had a lie in and joined the others there ....but that wouldn't have been playing the game!).  We stopped for a coffee.  I don't know about the others but mine wasn't hot and was very weak! 

Apart from a slope going up to Vale do Bispo the walk was mostly flat.  We passed sheep with a shepherd and sheepdog. We passed a field with cows and a horse.  There was an occasion when we passed a mass of barking dogs.  First I counted 8 and then they grew till I eventually counted 12.  Thank goodness they were fenced in otherwise us walkers wouldn't be here to tell the tale.  We saw another dog chained up and as he/she jumped and barked the chain got caught between his legs, poor animal.

There was one small wet ditch to cross, though Bica chose the wetter area...

We had lunch at  a deserted Fishing and Hunting Lodge.  Conveniently there were 2 picnic benches so we were able to spread ourselves out.  The whole place was a bit wierd and spooky.  There were, what looked to be, a whole lot of ground floor bedrooms but they were bare but I did catch sight of, what I thought, was an ensuite bathroom!

We then passed some strange farm buildings....

After walking 5/6 kilometres of flat boring road/roadside we reached Cabo Sao Vincente and saw the lighthouse covered in scaffolding and shrouded in tarpaulin!  

Someone was squatting down taking photos of us.  I thought:  "Oh no, not one of those touristy photographers who charge you a fortune for taking a photo at a touristy place"!  Little did I know that it was Carol!!!!  Well done Carol and cheap at half the price!  

We were disappointed not to see any sign stating this was  at the end of the VA although we did note that there was one for the cyclists.  Ken, Miriam, Marian, Ros, Geoff and I had a  celebrationary cup of coffee at the cafe.  Although expensive ( thanks, Ken & Miriam)  I will say it was a very nice coffee and worth their extra money.

We nearly had a moment of great drama ; Ken was holding Bica on her lead, when she suddenly broke free and bounded across to a cat. This cat ewas made of stern stuff and lived at the bar, and stood it's place and  just stared at Bica. I was erxpecting it to run, Bica chasing, tables upturned and general mayhem, but Miriam managed to grab the lead in time. With profuse apologies, we left!

But here is a statue commenmorating the AWW patron saint, St Vincent:

 The others returned to the hotel for a cup of tea and to titivate themselves for the evening's events.

We eat at the Ribeira do Poco, allegedly the best restaurant in town. Thankfully, the very helpful receptionist at the hotel , Vanessa, had persuaded them to (exceptionally) take a booking. Unfortunately, we had to have two tables and all bar Geoff had some good fresh fish ; Geoff succumbing to lamb chops.

After the meal, Geoff presented John and Susan with some gifts of wine in recogntion of all the supportive work they had done with Gill and Jim on the recces, true Unsung Heroes. Jim and Gill were then presented with a framed photo of the VAers:

Though Geoff was mortified when Ros pointed out that she was omitted! ( A lot of research had gone into selecting that photo....we discounted those when we wore masks, when half of John's arm was missing, when we looked like soldiers on parade....this photo had true artistic merit : unfortunately, Ros had decided to opt out of the May walks due to the heat.  we will have to see if we can photoshop her in!)

Sue then read her ode to the VA...

and Ros gave Geoff some wine and a book on 111 Places in the Algarve to see. 

Unfortunately, the subtlety of Ros' additions to the lables was lost on Geoff till he sobered up:

Well, that was the end of 18 Days of a great walk across the Algarve : elapsed time was a year, but walking time of 18 Days was creditable, given the weather and our ages....and again, very many thanks to Jim and Gill for all their planning and recce work....and Jim never succumbed to wearing a coat!

Sue’s Ode to the Via Algarviana

 

We are gathered here after our walk

With glass, wine, food, knife and fork.

300 kilometres is what we’ve done

Which we have found a lot of fun.

 

From Alcoutim we’ve seen a lot on our way.

We found standing stones on our first day.

In a tiny village we found a shop

Selling ceramics, so in we did pop.

 

Miriam is a kind soul

She supported the owner by buying a bowl.

 

Starting at Furzinhas we saw some old folk

And it was with them one of us spoke.

They were also walking and masks did they wear

We wore them too as one needs to take care.

 

Miriam fancied a collar on a dog

It was flashing and made her all agog.

She wanted it for Bica, she had a yen

The owner gave it to her and it was worn by Ken.

 

At Vaqueiros Ros and Marian thought disaster had struck

But things turned out to be not such bad luck.

Marian’s rucksack was left in the loo

Which she luckily remembered without much ado.

 

At Cachopo Ros left her boots and socks in her car

Jan saved Ros’ day, oh what a star!

Jan lent Ros used socks and some boots

In a song they were called, Daisy Roots!

 

We’ve seen pigs, chickens, sheep, cows and goats.

A Panda  even  hit Geoff’s nose, not his throat.

 

At Silves Marian lost her phone

It was in Sue and Geoff’s car had she known.

Ken and Miriam lost their keys

Found  in the sofa , whilst on their  hands and knees.

 

South of Monchique we went out of our way

Which meant for us a very long day.

Jim took us up a windy, rocky path

To a spa where he, in his  boxers, had a bath.

 

 

 

From Cachopo we found a castle and helipad.

The trouble was it all looked very sad.

It was spooky, there wasn’t a soul.

Deserted, the weather had taken its toll.

 

From Castelao we stopped at a little hamlet,

The lady there was thrilled……………I bet!

Disgusting coffee was made, one at a time.

Out of us lot she made more than a dime!

 

On this walk we’ve seen a lot

Sometimes when it’s been really hot.

Cistus paintings and symbols we’ve found

On rocks and lampposts, not on the ground.

 

The artists were Maurice, David and Terry Ames

What a shame they didn’t write their names.

It was when they walked the Algarve Way

Now it’s been altered and named the VA.

 

Sadly, there’s nothing of the last 4 days

So now it’s time to have a laze.

Enjoy the rest of your time here

Give our leaders, co-ordinater and cameraman a cheer!