5 NOVEMBER 2025 – PINE TREES AND BARAGEMS

 

AWW Walk REPORT – 5 NOVEMBER 2025 – PINE TREES AND BARAGEMS

The weather forecast was a bit gloomy so a few people had cried off but a decent bunch of hardy souls were willing to join me.  We met at the café in Rasmalho and had a very heavy rain shower whilst inside.  Ros pointed out the severe weather warnings showing on the TV for places further North.

When the rain stopped we drove 3kms further up the road to the start of the walk.  12 walkers and 2 x dogs.  Once everyone booted  and  suited and booted we headed off up the tree lined path.  Boasting about how lucky we were that is was not raining.

The new recruit Maura seemed to think it would be a lovely sunny day & dressed accordingly....

Ros, Ken, Linda, Bev, Miriam, Martin, Mark, Julie, Sue, Maura, Tony and Geoff (the photographer).  The dogs were Bica and Toby. 

Past a pile of builder’s rubbish  spoiling the beautiful countryside.

A bit further along we started to zig zag down the valley, through the pine trees whilst admiring all the lovely colours.  The dogs had a quick dip and drink in the baragem whilst the walkers had a banana snack or one of Ros sweeties.

Then the rain started so we ran to shelter under the trees whilst donning our raincoats. 

                                    Ros had the brightest raincoat; it also matched her rucksack.

The group was starting to spread out so the front group sheltered in a pump house whilst the back group caught up.  Martin found the electric light switch.

 

After about 45 minutes the rain stopped so we stopped to take off the raincoats.  A bit further along we reached the half way stage and waved goodbye to Miriam, Ken and Bica the dog who were taking the short cut back.

We headed down the valley past the hippie commune with caravans and tents hidden in the countryside.

 

The leader suggested we did a cheeky lunch stop in one of their tents but Julie noticed there were remains from someone’s recent breakfast so we thought better of it.

The big gate was unlocked but the small church was closed.

Happy house didn’t look so happy today as it was up for sale.

Then the rain started again so we sheltered in a ruin whilst we had lunch.  It was a bit dirty, we saw a rat scurry out and there was a bird next by the window but it was dry and there was light coming through some of the holes in the roof.

We headed round the back of the next valley and found the recently dry riverbed now had running water but luckily it also had stepping stones.

Bye now the sun was shining and we had the one main climb of the day, back out of the Valley and onwards back towards the cars. 

Back to the café for refreshments.  Linda and Julie did a cool down whilst we waited for the coffee to be served.

 

The walk was 14 kms and we completed it in just over 4 hours including a lunch break.  Geoff was impressed we had a moving average of 4km per hour.  Miriam messaged to say they found the short cut back okay and were now home.

Thank you for joining me today, I think we all had a bit of fun and lots of comradery. Also thank you to Geoff for taking the photos.

Linda