Mesopotamia or Between Two Rivers. 11th February 2026

 At last a day with little or no rain forecast! Yay, we're walking!  Why between 2 rivers? Because we were walking between (or along) the Bengado and the Alportel.

A great start. there were nine of us, old enough to know better but daft enough to not care.  The coffee was not so great.  It was like the coffee had been introduced to the hot milk at a genteel tea dance and they were not yet well aquainted.  AWW members should ask Martin about the gloved hand!!  I, of course, didn't understand any of the other meanings behind the actions and explanations as my mind is as pure as the driven snow.

The happy walkers at the cafe.

L .R Steve, Peter, Linda, Toby, Karen, Julie, Sue, Geoff, Martin  Tony behind the camera

It was all going so well for the first 3 minutes then Tony, who had recced the route, led the front walkers astray. Good job I have a reasonably loud voice, when needed.  Off down a very slippery back passage.  Nobody likes a slippery back passage but there were no accidents.  

On to a very good flat, if wet, track.

Toby made a new friend, a very handsome hound.  We should have got him to join the AWW.

Mud, mud, glorious mud.  Nothing quite like it for making your roof and floor tiles.

Well, everyone knew that there had to be an uphill out of the Bengado valley. Onward and upward.

A bit of a break on the ridge which led to a disscussion on liking or not liking it rigid. I, of course, didn't understand the other meanings behind the actions and explanations as my mind is as pure as the driven snow.

Along the ridge with the Alportel to our left behind the hills and the Bengado down in the valley to our right.   Sadly no extensive views but great company made up for that. Uppy and downy as we say on the Hash. We missed the boundary stone marker between Sao Bras de Alportel and Santa Catarina Fonte de Bispo, but nobody complained about walking over two municipalities.

Yes it is a f**ing caravan.  Hash joke especially for Jan who's enjoying tne sunshine in distant climes.

A very steep downhill which couldn't be avoided without crossing full streams. Everyone knows I'm not good at going down. If in doubt, ask Tony.

  Geoff and Sue took the cautious approach.     

A paws for thought Toby?

Peter looked at the very muddy up and said we had dirty minds. I replied, we'll have dirty feet.  I, of course, didn't understand as my mind is as pure as the driven snow.  Still no extensive views but interesting close-ups.

Off on a short loop down into the valley and the riverside, avoiding the hamlet with free range  chickens.  Poor Toby, spoiling his fun.   There were lots of questions about a lunch stop but we did have a place in mind.

A very convenient concrete post and a welcome break for lunch.

When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightening or next week's walk?  We're really practising our balance.

Back along the Bengado valley and an uphill towards the N270.  The water was turning the path into a new river.

Never argue with the walk leader.

Linda demonstrates how to cross on stepping stones for when the rivers have become less swollen. Toby demonstrates the big tough boy way to cross a river.

Sue had come prepared for the weather.

You know you've been waiting for it-yes, we were going up the back passage.  I, of course, don't understand the other meanings as my mind is as pure as the driven snow. The reward, a welcome drink in the cafe.   This time the coffees were much better. More like the coffee and milk had carnal knowledge of each other.

The stats

About 13 kms
About 280 metres of climb

Walking Time about 3.5 hours