AWW End of 2026 winter season and lunch
June 10th 2026
Exploring the Paderne Countryside

On a beautiful June morning a hardy crew of walkers met in Paderne to celebrate the end of our Winter season of walks with a short 8km hike around Paderne before a group lunch in Moiras Encantadas.

After a early coffee and catch up chat we assembled in the usual place for a group photo:

From left: Steve C, Ken, Steve S, Tim, Sue, Karen, Jan, Christine, Richard, Margaret, Statue, Miriam, Julie, Linda, Russ, Tony and Martin with our doggie friends Bica and Toby.

We then setoff along the approach road to the Algibre river valley and the first of our river crossings:

Some uppy downy countryside and a nice spot of shade under the A22 motorway we arrived at our second water crossing but with a low gate to navigate first. This weir crossing forced a wet feet or no wet feet decision and the well planned walkers changed into their water shoes!

After a quick water stop we then turned left to walk along the narrow riverbank trail till we reached the scenic Roman Bridge for another rest stop and photo opportunity...

One of our walkers opted for a very Islamic looking head scarf!

We then continued to circle around Paderne castle before dropping down under the A22 again and make our way to the car park for a rapid change of costume and a lovely lunch.

Martin

My thanks to Martin for leading the walk and the blog so far, I'll add my tuppence! He was too kind to mention that both Ken & I were nursing injuries : I did tag along for about a kilometer, but decided that a gossip with Ken and another cup of coffee was a better option. We then  rashly decided to drive to   the fort, open on wednesdays, only to get there and find it closed!

BTW, no one has yet explained what the holes in the outside of the walls were for....ideas anyone please?

We passed the walkers on our way back, getting a quick flash from Jan that was too quick to get the camera out for. Back for a Sagres and catch up with Eileen before  everyone returned.

Our resident photograper Alan apologises for the rosy hue of the lunch photos : due to bright sun shining through the parasols he reckons, anyway, yertis:

Lunch was the usual very good quality.....with soup as well!......it was good that they could take us: it was a National Holiday ( explains why castle was shut!).

Some earnest chats....

And then I tried to send all to sleep with a few brief words:

I remembered to thank ( or hope I did)   Jan for organising, Martin for the walk, the various mesdames kitty. The prizes for the most walks went to Ros and for most Leading to Linda &  Toby. Having let it be known that I neither wanted nor expected anything, Julie then presented me with some lovely wine. Thanks!

In conclusion,  2026 is the 30th anniversary of the AWW . It looks to be going strong, still.

Geoff