Barranco De Velha Walking Festival....Day 1...8 November 2023

 Barranco De Velha Walking Festival....Day 1...8 November 2023

As co-ordinator, I was getting a little alarmed when, with only weeks to go, Jim our walk leader reported increased health problems. " No problemo" I was assured , back-up leaders in Gill, Susan and John were arranged, my worries assuaged...even when I heard that  Alan had to rescue the leader on one of the reccees. Talk of hips, back, blood , veins, teeth, jaws...but all will  be well on the night!

So ten of us booked in to stay at the Tia Bia and with  nine " daytrippers" expected , we duly met at the apponted hour ( 10.30) in Parizes ( or Parises according to some) to listen to the Church Chimes and pose for our group starter photo. 

Those that had endured, sorry enjoyed, the VA last year may recall the little cafe in Parizes that served " coffee"....well, it was warm, wet and brown, but that was the end of any relationship to caffeine! The other cafe in Parizes is always shut, it seems, so coffee was drunk elsewhere.

Alas, the chuch chimes were 5 minutes fast, but at the correct time, here we were:

L to R :  Susan, David,Julie, Jim Sue, Gill, Julie, Jan, Miriam, Frank ( just) Geoff, Claire, Ros, Tony, Ken, John.....kneeling, Marian and alan....and Ziggy and Bica.

We waited and tried to call  Martin....he did live probably the nearest....but he never arrived. we learnt later that he had , somehow, got lost!

This was a circular walk of 18 kms and we were advised there could be some water hazards after recent rain, which indeed was the case:

There were great panoramic views:

There followed a never-ending series of ups and downs, some longer than others...some steeper than others...but none comparable to the previous week's challenges, fortunately.

David must have been a boy scout in his youth as he espied a sign that had fallen into brambles as it had a rotten base . He fearlessly dived in to recover it for his daily good dead:

Most of us were more interested in watching, but our fearless photographer Alan offered to help...

Job done...well not really....we passed this way again tomorrow, and it was flat on the ground again!

More water crossings.....but the steps  were thought too dangerous for most of us:

So we chose the safety first option...

David had decided that one good dead a day was enough, so ignored this sign....

I can never understand why people travel so far in lovely countyside to dump their rubbish..

More water crossings...

A few  minutes rest for Jan: 

A new house, built around a ruin, but with bricked up windows....

At last we reached the 12km marker, where Jim's various ailments took too heavy a toll and his car had been strategically placed to rescue him.  There was some debate as to whether we should continue for about another 6km ( it was 4pm) or take a 3km short-cut along the road. Some sat to ponder this:

But  Sue, who had a leg that was playing her up, decided to opt for Jim's mobile ambulance:

But before they left, the local bus arrived with the shoppers from Loule, and gentleman Jim helped them:

The Magnificent Seven thought they would take the proper route, led by Jim & John :

The Seven being, L to R, Ros, Marian, Alan, Susan, John...Gill and I not in the picture. Unfortunately, Ros took a tumble....fortunately, not too serious, but a grazed arm and some bruises...the penalty for walking and talking! We passed more water :

and made good progress , with a long downhill and a longer uphill, getting back to  Parizes at 5.30pm.

Back to Tia Bia, the daytrippers having long gone. Time for a lovely soak in the bath ( well, a tepid soak) and a great dinner...where  black pork kebabs and prawns were favourites...not as good as my lamb shank though. Sue had baccalau inside a  hollowed-out loaf of  bread, no photo though!

We gave Jim and Gill, along with Susan and John some gifts of wine for all their had recce work.

Cheers !

Stats for the day:

Thanks to Ros for stats, Alan for starter photo, Sue for bus photo,  all walkers for company and the leaders for a great day out.

Geoff