Battling On from Barao, OR The Great Algarve Bar Strike

•  AWW 22nd of March 2023. Battling on from Barao, 
•       OR The Great Algarve Bar Strike. Approx 17.5k

My second lead in three weeks! I decided to go for one I know without thinking about it - and even then something went amiss - thankfully not disastrously. I was expecting a smallish group, but in the end we were twelve, gathering at Bar Barao in Nave do Barao, at the earlier start time of 09.30. As it turned 
out, this was a wise decision, as the first twist of the temperature screw had definitely been turned, and we had cloudless skies and a mid-twenties thermometer, with a pleasant breeze to assist.

The Gang:

Geoff, Sue, Ros, Ken, Miriam, Alan, John, Susan, Linda, Ness, Jan, and Moi, plus Toby and Bica. Nice to have two dogs again.

In contrast to the Cortelha experience of two weeks before, the day was almost without incident. We left bang on time, and walked for a while down the narrow strip of tarmac used by the farmers of Nave do Barao to access their fields. We then turned off into those fields on a farm track, heading for the climb up the terraces to Nave das Mealhas. The winding track has become rather overgrown of late, but it is still sufficiently visible to make the ascent without error. 

Crossing the Lagoa da Nave

                                                And climbing through the terraces

After wandering through the hamlet (lots of great doer-uppers, folks!), we made our way to the ridge dividing the Barao from the Tor valley, and walked said ridge for a short time before beginning the descent to Funchais. At the top of the slope we found the small hunter´s ponds, which gave the hounds an unexpected treat. Then down through Cerro das Covas via narrow travessas to Funchais and the crossing of the main Tor - Algibre road.

                                                       First Water Stop for Toby and Bica

Yer Pays Yer Money......

                                                            And yer gets the horror show!

Reaching the river itself, we were pleased to find water again - not an obstruction, but ponds left behind after the rains last month. In another two or three weeks, if there is no more rain, the Algibre will be totally dry again. The signs are not good for our water supply.

There was a dry route across.

                                                            Can we stay here, Mum?

The next stage of the walk was a pleasant stroll along the valley, following the river line. The spring flowers are reaching their best, though to my eyes they are not as brilliant as in some previous years. After what must have seen to those departing from home early as quite a long morning session, we arrived at the Bar Reguengos (no sign and no wine), and sat down for a welcome break and lunch.

Nearly lunchtime.

After a longish break  -  cafe stops at lunch can encourage this, it seems -  I hauled some reluctant souls out of their chairs, and we set off to conquer the hill between us and the finish. We followed my normal route, turning off the Boliqueime - Benafim road onto a dirt track, but at this point I missed the turning uphill that I was looking for, which should have been obvious, and we wandered on until the track ran out. 

                                                               Post-prandial briefing

Fortunately, there was a fairly clear but stony and at times overgrown track heading uphill at this point, so up we went, steeply and for some time. As it turned out, we probably cut off a little distance by doing this, and we emerged onto the track up to the Tor ridge fairly close to the beginning of the descent back to Nave do Barao.

Update. I have discovered the error - we turned off the road too soon, and went on a lower track. The yellow line on the photo shows what we actually did. 

                                               On the steep climb. Geoff  ´admiring the view`.

It was when we got back to the Bar after a cheerful and smooth descent, that the afternoon began to turn into comedy. The Bar was closed - the lady had a doctor´s appointment. After a swift consultation, it was decided to head for the Bar Varzea beyond the Tor crossroads, and the convoy departed thence. Arrived there to find a note stuck to the door - ´Volto ja`. We hung around for a short while, but nobody voltoed, and everyone decided to call it a day and head for home. Jan and I were determined to have our drink, so we turned around and made for the bar at Funchais - closed. We ended up having our white wine under the plastic canopy at the Restaurante do Monte on the road to Salir - which we could have had with the group half and hour earlier. Such is life and memory.

                                                        Homeward bound.....

                                                                

To the Bar - - err, Nao.

                                               Nao volta? OK, bebemos na casa!

Thanks to all for a very pleasant day, and to Alan as ever for the pics. Quite a botanical slant to the collection this week. 

As I announced last time, stats are no longer of any real significance to me, but we seemed to walk just about as far as predicted, at a steady pace without breaking our necks, and everyone finished whole and in good order. What more can you ask for - other than an open cafe?