Wot, no Bar?. That was the cry as we assembled at the end of the ´Roman` Bridge at Tor, on a bright sunny morning. Spring finally appeared to have arrived. The Group seemed to resemble the waiting room at the local Centre de Saude, as Ros appeared with a knee encased in a vicious-looking support, and Ken ambled forward, arm in a sling. (The rest of us didn´t look all that well, either!)
The Full list of miscreants for Peter´s walk, as follows:
Miriam, Martin, Ros, Peter, David, Ken, Alan kneeling.
We set off to invade the new Ombria golf course, Peter having gained permission from the management. (it appears that there is public access to the road around the buildings, but maybe politic to make a request). The place is still alive with workmen and their vehicles, though I am informed that the catering facilities are now up and running.
We walked past the completed buildings, and on along the road which will eventually be lined with hugely expensive villas (currently only the plot boards indicate their positions). The tarmac then came to an end, and we had to locate, with some difficulty, the track leading off up the hill.This was obviously well used before the golf development intervened, but is now badly overgrown but just passable. We had a splendid view over parts of the golf course and the old quarry above the former lagar near the Fonte de Benemola car park.
In the thick of it.
Bica shows the way out
After fighting our way along the track for a while, we emerged onto the Loule - Querenca road near Porto Nobre, passing a rather neglected fonte on the way. A short tramp down the road took us to the turn down to Fonte de Esparrela, the sign giving a completely wrong indication of the direction to it. We passed the fonte, crossed the bridge and examined the ruins of the old watermill on the far side, with millstones still stacked in the building, now open to the sky.From there we walked along the farm road towards Vale Mulher, lined with spring flowers and evidence of horticultural activity. Then down the main road to the Fonte de Benemola car park and a walk along the track to the Fonte itself..( Ken and Miriam left us at the car park entrance, and made their way back to the start.)
Along the Val Mulher Road Went the Walking Wounded.
The Flowers Helped Ease the Pain.
Commemorating the Surfacing of the Road.
Fonte de Benemola PercursoThere was still a lot of water flowing over the weir at the Fonte, which made the crossing of the concrete column bridge (with guide ropes) just a little more intimidating. Good job we had had our lunch at the car park to fortify us for the ordeal!
Lunch break at the old threshing floor.
With instruction.
Plein d´eau.
C´mon, you can only get wet!
We walked along the track on the opposite side of the stream, back towards the golf course, passing the now derelict cesteiro´s cottage. Before reaching the tarmac, we turned uphill on a wide gravel track, walking roughly parallel to the Tor - Salir road but some way to the east, which would have taken us ultimately to Mesquita.
Peter´s intention was to reach Andrezes, further down the Salir road, but a missed turn had us heading back south, down a beautiful valley footpath, emerging onto the road opposite the golf course.
The odd bit of water
Valley Walk - the tough bit!
A Pause by the Pool.
We turned right along the road back to Tor crossroads, but veered off onto footpaths closer to the river to avoid traffic. Before crossing the bridge, we had to have a go on the new swing.
Big Kids!
Arriving back at the cars, Alan scooted off, and the remaining four drove the few hundred metres to Cafe Varzea at the foot of the hill to enjoy a drink and chat
A great walk. Distance disputed. Peter´s paces method recorded 16, but others using tracking had it two or three k less. On google Earth it measures just 13k, so yer pays yer money.... It certainly felt more than 13, but it always does, these days!
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