Around the other Bordeira.

Wednesday 18th Feb 2026 and our AWW walk was around the environs of Bordeira; not the one near Aljezur but the rather larger place just north of Faro.  Who knew?   The main industry of Bordeira was was digging rocks out o' t' ground.    That's why there is so much bl**y stone everywhere. 

Fourteen of us met at Cafe Pinto in the center of Bordeira.  Its where everyone meets,  a community center, secretariat, post office, place were deals are made, couriers are met and groups of walkers enjoy a heartening coffee prior to setting out on their endeavours.    Eee by heck aren't we a handsome bunch.

Here's t' map if you can figure it out.

...and the profile for those who think we actually climbed some hills.

First task get out of the village.  Up 't road and turn left, short walk and tarmac and we are out in easy country.

Continuing north, up an old rock strewn, green lane without any broken ankles and I didn't even hear any complaints...

...carried on up easier tracks to cross the CM1305 and

 ...started a steep climb on calçada and then onto tarmac that took as passed the tennis and paddle courts and back into fields and tracks traversing below several expensive villas mid construction.

Did we miss a turn?  No of course not.  Our leader knew exactly where he was going....

...even if the rest of 'em didn't have a clue.

More lovely villas ....

...and pretty tracks.

We followed the contours along a vehicle track stopping for Roz' traditional licourice stop, before heading back down the hill into the valley and up the other side to arrive in the small village of Agostos, where the engineers among us marvelled at the rats nest of cabling on the telegraph poles, minor by Indian standards.

Linda in her flower power strides accompanied by Toby sniffing a turd, 💩.  "I know I'm at the back but they've all gone the wrong way.  If I speed up I can overtake them."

But enough of this easy walking, it was time to climb the Cerro de Guilhim.  "What? You mean we're going up there!"  We were indeed but I soothed their furrowed brows with a promise that we were not going up the one in three climb straight up to the trig point but taking the slightly longer but easier route up the side.

So we set off on the "easy route".  Aw look at them.  Trusting souls.  Suckers!!

Easy does it now.  Wind 'em in slow and easy like.

Now that's more like it.  A little more of a challenge.

Its easy this climbin' lark!

At last we reach the trig.

"What? Windy up here.  No! It's just a breeze."

Having almost turned back half way up to the Cerro, John kept on going, slowly but surely and finally sauntered down the other side to the lunch stop.

If you don't take that camera out of my face you know where this sandwich is going to go!

And then it was back down the hill with Estoi in the distance.

                     Our Chairman .... in his chair.

"Are you serious? I don't believe a word your sayin'."

The magnificent Bordeira falls.     

Martin about to give Linda a helping hand for a quick dip.  Naughty Boy!

The last kilometre or so through the  olive grows up the Bordeira valley....

...and back to the Cafe Pinto for a well earned drink.

Books for sale.  That all assumes they can actually read!