AWW 29.11.23. Covoes - Benafim

 A Review of the Perambulation Undertaken by Certain Adherents of the Society Known as the Algarve Wednesday Walkers, in the Vicinity of the Hamlet of Covoes, on the 29th Day of November 2023. With Illustrations.

At the appointed time, ten members of the said Society, plus the designated Leader for the day, presented themselves at the residence of the said Leader, and were royally greeted first by the offering of sweetmeats and liquid refreshments, prepared by the spouse of said Leader, and second by the hound of said leader, which in typical fashion fawned over the members of the gathering, and went on to try to rip the throat out of another hound, property of one of the members.

Right, that´s enough of the fancy language, let´s get on with it. The Gang who turned up for this shindig were:

Peter, Ros, John, Susan, Martin, Geoff, Jill, Ken, Miriam and Frank, plus yours truly. We had three canine companions, Rafa being the one subjected to Amy´s kind attentions. We have some way to go before Amy can be admitted to the group, it would seem. The party was completed by Ziggy and Bica.

Everyone tucked into Dinah´s excellent mince pies and scones before the starting photo under the datura tree on the road outside the house. Photo courtesy of Dinah.

We first had to descend from Covoes down to the road between Ponte de Salir and Fonte Figueira. This was achieved first down  a steep rocky track and then via a muddy footpath. The weather at this stage was cool and cloudy, but with a hint of better things to come.

                                                                 The Descent                

There followed a rapid but slightly tedious yomp along the tarmac, past Fonte Figueira and on to Almarginho. Finally we turned off the road and down into what late lamented Terry A used to call The Wilderness, another muddy track along the valley floor, roughly parallel to the N124 between Salir and Benafim. 

Our boots became terribly heavy, and some time was lost in scaping the clinging mud from them. Just in time, as the next stage involved the first climb of the day, a long slog up to the plateau.

                                                            Before the Climb

Now we followed a section of the Via Algarviana to Benafim. The high level route afforded great views of Rocha da Pena to the north, though the vista south was hidden by the top of the plateau. Eventually coming down to Benafim, we passed along section after straight section of the boundary walls and fencing of the huge citrus plantation that covers the hill to the east of Benafim.

Reaching Benafim, we marched round the corner by the roundabout, to find shelter and refreshments at the Snack Bar Ponto do Encontro.

        We do make ourselves at home - but we bought drinks! Oh, and them´s my knees.

By the time we left the cafe, the sun was out, and it promised to be a fine, warm afternoon. Retracing our steps down the Boliqueime Road, we plunged off into the countryside once more, noticing a plant on the corner that I, at any rate, had not seen before. Any ideas, anyone?

                      Mystery Plant. Pretty Flower.                        

  

We had now turned back eastwards, walking below the hill we had just crossed, on our way towards Nave dos Cordeiros. Views to the south were continuously attractive during the afternoon session, helping to keep spirits up. This was easy going, with none of the glutinous underfoot of earlier in the day. Good job, because I had a lot of catching up to do after a comfort stop!

 

                                                             Wait for me, chaps!

Just above Nave dos Cordeiros, we had to make the second main ascent of the day - I had forgotten how long it was - up to the high level path over to Portela da Nave. Views were even better up here, as we passed within a hundred metres or so of our morning route on the other side of the hill. No photos of folk struggling up hill you will notice - I am one of the strugglers, these days! (Nor did we have any water crossings to anticipate fallers, sadly.)

 The descent to Portela, and the final leg back to Covoes passed without incident, and we were cosily ensconced in our garden at around 3. Drinks and happy conversation followed before all dispersed homewards. Thanks to all who came for a great day. 

We completed the walk in roughly 5 hours, covering a little more than advertised, somewhere between 17 and 18k.

Good wishes to Linda and Russell, to Terry Mace, to Jan and to Sue M in their various struggles just now.