Two Beaches, Three Headlands (Praia Da Manteiga / Praia da Pena Furada)

 We arrived at the starting point just off the N268 at 09.45 as planned. However, Steve and Bruce were missing as the leader had provided them with the wrong co-ordinates. After a series of phone calls we all met.

Due to the very low temperature affecting the camera the image was blurred. It had nothing to do with the inadequate cameraman.

We set of wearing multiple layers towards the west to find the coast. It was cool.

Things deteriorated quickly. Instead of striding out singing songs such as "We are Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave and the Sun is in the Sky", it was all about:-

Holes

Bones 

Feet

We were back to how holes appear in t-shirts. Was it the soap powder? Leaning on the worktop? Ironing technique? Frank advised that he had never got a hole in a t-shirt when he was ironing, but someone asked had he ever ironed a t-shirt. No comment. It was finally determined that Hotpoint had a special deal with Decathlon that created the holes in the t-shirts, when using Fairy capsule detergents that have to be kept away from children. They are kept on the top shelf with the magazines.

Next it was "Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones" and Jim's hip bones. It was advised that about 10% of people who have a hip replacement die within 90 days of the operation. Ros pointed out that she was almost completely recoverd from her operation within 6 weeks (42 days), so there was at least a 90% probability that Jim would enjoy walking for at least 48 days if he had the operation. You have to look at the Risk / Reward. Then the conversation turned to those people, where the operation was sucessfull or unsucessfull. I found a space in the walk and my mind wandered to whether blue paint dried faster than tartan paint. However, as Jim managed successfully to get up and down the tracks plotted by the walk leader, then perhaps he is fine delaying the inevitable a little longer.

And finally the feet. The feet looked great. We were continually back to the feet during and after the walk and the "barefoot" shoes. Not for all

Who would wear gloves on their feet?

Anyway we walked and it was spectacular. It was a bit up and down, but it was worth it. The leader did get some "looks" on the descent down to Praia Do Muracao, but he took these on board in his usual manner. He ignored  

See the photos below.

It is fantastic to see that the countryside is green.

Praia do Muracao

Steep descent to Praia da Manteiga

Praia Da Manteiga

Praia da Manteiga is spectacular. Not a lot of footsteps on the beach

Climb Up from Praia da Manteiga

Lunch

We had lunch on Praia da Manteiga. We were sat in the sun: there was no wind: the waves were crashing on the shore. it was idylic. It was like "herding cats" to get them up and moving again. They kept asking when the Kia Ora lady was coming with her tray of drinks and ice creams. The ones sitting in the back seats were the worst.

Trig point on the plateau.

When we were nearly back at the cars we found a Trig point on the flat. Ros was desperate to get her photo taken for her friends. However, she kept moving so it was blurred. It had nothing to do with the incompetence of the photographer.

And we were back at the cars at 14:40 as predicted by Jim.

Details

Distance         16.1km

Elevation         371m

Level                Moderate with some tough sections (we took the easier route up from Muracao)

Time                  4 hours 40 minutes.

Verdict               Splendid

Route

Followed the blue paint from Muracao to Manteiga (no tartan)

Frank M

25th January 2023