Ch-ch-ch-changes

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and, er, sisters) gathered for a hastily-arranged trip down Memory Lane, aka Alte-again.

Julie, Ros, Tony, Peter, Linda (I tried, twice, to get a photo of Linda 😶), Frank and I. (Martin had to cry off as Rafa had been unwell)

And gentlemen (and, er, ladies) in England (or, er, Portugal) now a-bed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here.

Are you all sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.

This was another variation on the Alte-Benafim axis that we did earlier this year, when we was well fit. To confuse people, I did it clockwise this time, and added in a few half-remembered loops (I hadn't had time to actually recce it, obvsly...)

We headed out past the Fontes. I nipped back to take the piss:

  Splendid Effort, there!

and we followed the VA once again to Benafim Pequeno, where the first of the ch-changes manifested itself; 

This:

Nice lunch spot, 2023 Q2

had turned into this:

 Nasty lunch spot, 2023 Q4

(They seem to have decided that it was too 'authentic'; and a nice tin roof or two would improve it enormously)

So we wandered onwards... making a small detour to check on the statue of what's-er-name rising from the thingummy:

(No changes there, thank goodness)

... down through the orange groves etc (although Peter was thrilled to see Benafim's ETAR, and nearly insisted on a detour):

... under darkening skies ...

... and back via the Low Road, to the Main Road.

Struggling up the hill to Alte itself, 

... we discovered the second ch-ch-change:

This:

Hole in the ground, 2023 Q2

had become This:

 Ummm.. not sure, 2023 Q4

.. which also must be regarded as some kind of improvement, I guess...

So, finally back to o Folclore for more idle chat, especially focusing on the pros and cons of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum:

"Opinions varied" as to whether it was all one big con, or the best thing since trenchers of bread.

The Six Survivors, all stitched up.

Stats and Track:

And So To Bed.

Terry M