Windmills, Art and Forest Bathing in Barao Sao Joao

 AWW 12th February 2025

19 of the AWW met in Barão São João for a day of views, windmills, culture and Forest Bathing (the new marketing term for walking in the woods).  They were:

Tony, Julie, Peter, Jan, Linda, Karen, John, Susan, Jim, Gill, Kieran, Fiona, Audrey, James, Holgar, Jane, Ness, Steve, Margaret, Bica and Toby.

 

We all set off from the Tasquinha do Gloria into the hills past the odd "off-grid" settlement. The "off-grid" dogs who had been so “friendly” the previous Saturday kept themselves to themselves, so Toby, Bica and all the humans were safe.  Also the elusive wild boar were nowhere to be seen.

Despite the heavy rain the day before all puddles were easily crossed.

Though storm clouds threatened, we enjoyed perfect walking weather.

When we reached the crossroads we continued straight on to the abandoned house to walk around what was once a volcanic crater.  We then walked past the slowly turning windmills to the edge of the forest.  The speed of the wind turbines matched the speed of the “leader”. 

After some beautiful views.

the heavenly scents announced the beginning of the forest.  We passed stone sculptures. 

The frog pond was devoid of tadpoles and frogs.  Then we reached the picnic area complete with tables, water taps, bins and toilets.  Nobody took advantage of the barbecue or children’s play area.  

After a short lunch we headed off along the Passeio dos Poétas (Poets’ Way) past the stones carved with poetry.  For those of you who have not read last year’s blog, here are some examples of the poems.

Trazer a tona sem suspirar a vestigem inebria da luz

Bringing out the intoxicating vestige of light without sighing

Na débil melancolia do fim de tarde o sol que entre os ramos adormece perde luz para a luz da saudade essoutro sol que semalarde ao lece raiada luz que arde e não fenece.

In the faint melancholy of the afternoon, the sun that dwells among the branches loses its light to the light of nostalgia, that other sun that burns brightly in the afternoon light, that burns and does not fade.

 Minha alfarrobara estao plantada espera-me a um passado a cena alabadas  em cimzas em redemoinhos da ar outro dado das vestimas da apa primitivas sem a rustica primitiva do meu sangue.

My carob tree is planted and awaits me in passing; a dinner of carobs; in the swirls of air, given from primitive epicure without the primitive rusticity of my blood.

At the crossroads the front-enders were called back so we could turn right up the hill.  James took a break to fish.  You can tell the fish wasn’t happy by the stoney expression on his face.  (apologies for stealing the pun).

At the T junction out of the forest we then turned right and walked through the windfarm again.  By the afternoon the wind had picked up and windmills were turning full pelt.  There were 24 windmills in view (thanks Tony for the info).  We then met the Via Algarviana (thanks Jim for that info), and continued to the edge of the forest, where we debated the merits of alternative routes.  The original plan was to skirt the forest for the sake of adding a few Km to the walk, but somehow the lure of forest bathing was too much for the leader and we turned into the forest.  The lure of coffee was too much for Peter and Holgar and they pointed out the most direct route to the Passeio Das Figuras (Statues’ Way).  The first statues we passed were made of wood and tastefully depicted a few men sitting together. 

We reached the other statues.  Very arty, interesting or obscene depending on your point of view!

Finally we meandered through the atmospheric village of Barão São João where Bica has a road named after her.

Thanks to Julie, Jan and Linda for organising the drinks in the bar afterwards.  Hope the hippies weren’t too annoyed at being moved from their usual drinking hole.

Length 15.5Km