AWW 11th December 2024.   

    How to Get a Mince Pie  The Hard Way.

As expected, the group that turned up at Casa Benjamin this week was smaller than recent weeks, but it was even smaller than anticipated. Julie and Tony were missing - Julie not too well - and Tom and Jacqui had navigational difficulties (partly my fault). So, only six departed for the forecast 17k of ups and downs. Those who made it:  Miriam, Ken, Ros, Linda, Martin and meself. Three dogs also made the trip - Bica, Toby and Raffa .

                                              Let´s go - it´s still a bit nippy!

The first stage took us across roughish ground (there was a path, but it had become overgrown) down to ponte de Salir, and then along and up to the Palmeiros road. Again the path disappeared towards the end, and we finished up clambering over a wall after crossing close to a house. Ken ripped his trousers as he crossed, but did not realise the location of the rip until the end of the walk. Could have been slightly embarrassing!

                                               We were well spaced out at times!

Now we walked into Palmeiros, lamenting that the Otters were not on hand to offer refreshment. Turning right past their closed-up abode, we made our way down towards the river valley, negotiating another steepish climb on the way. The weather was perfect for walking, with cold air tempered by bright sunshine in a clear blue sky. 

                                             Nice car - who´s coming for a ride?

Crossing the valley floor close by the isolated homestead by the river, we began the climb up toward Mesquita via Corte Neto. I couldn´t locate the diagonal path we used last time we did this walk, so we had to take a more direct route up to the main Loule road, resulting in a few more scratches. After that effort, we decided to take lunch, sitting on concrete near an empty house, with the traffic thundering by.

Crossing the road, we turned up into Mesquita and took the cul de sac heading out on level ground, passing a very happy group of men making use of the outdoor sports area. They seems a bit TOO happy to be paintballing at that stage!

Now we made the steep climb to the hill overlooking much of the land in the area, with at least a 270 degree view taking in Nave do Barao, Covoes, Salir, Barranco do Velho, Querenca and the Corte Neto valley we had just crossed. Inevitably this led to the long rocky descent down to the narrow lane to Nave das Mealhas. Finding a hunter´s pond on the way down was a great boon for the dogs,

                                                It´s MY pond -MINE, I tell you!

 Here was a choice to be made. We could have cut the walk very short by heading straight up the tarmac to Covoes, but the group was made of sterner stuff, and we decided to continue and complete the walk as planned. So, it was down into Lagoa da Nave, across the flood area and onto the farmer´s road to Nave do Barao, which we covered in quick time.

Into the village, we next took on the climb up the narrow track and then the tarmac road to Portela da Nave. By this time, things were starting to hurt a bit, but we got there at a good speed and began the much easier walk along towards Covoes, letting Dinah know we were getting close to home, and looking forward to our reward.

                                 Looking across to Salir from the end of the walk.

The last section of the walk was accompanied by one barking dog after another, but there was no serious incident, and we reached Casa Benjamin, having walked, as advertised,  just over 17k in something over 5 hours. It was quite challenging, with 560m of ascent built in.

We spent the next 45 minutes or so enjoying the warmth of our sitting room and the super mince pies and scones that Dinah had prepared for us. Many thanks to her for her efforts. To all those departed or soon departing for furrin parts, Happy Christmas. See you in 2025!

Thanks to Martin for the photos.

The route. Red line is a suggested extension.