AWW Walk – 7 OCTOBER 2026 – Pine Forests and Baragems

 

AWW Walk report – 7 OCTOBER 2026 – Pine Forests and Baragems

 

7 walkers and 2 x dogs.  David, Martin, Gill, Ros, Tim, Jim, Linda (photographer) Plus the dogs Toby and Raffa.

We met at the café then drove the 3kms further upto the start of the walk.  We lost a car on route and thought it must be a record to lose walkers before the start of the walk.  Tim had forgotten his bag at the café!

We set off in the sunshine, fit as a fiddle, the dogs having the time of their lives running on in front.

We trudged beneath the pine trees enjoying the shade and the soft carpet of pine needles under foot.

The first baragem looked fair grand, calm water, blue skies and pine trees reflected on the surface.  Proper post card stuff.  We stopped to admire the view whilst the dogs had a dip.

On we trudged through more shady pine trees and came to a section of over 200 trees (they were all individually numbered) that were being harvested for their sap.  Probably for use in waterproof resin or first aid products.

Down a bit further to the next shimmering baragem, even Gill said it looked enticing for a swim.

Further along we said our goodbyes to David, Martin and Raffa and sent them on their way back the shorter route.

The remaining famous five, plus dog headed down t 'hill, passing the rustic campsite that may be in need of some of the waterproof resin.

Then past the small church, a short stretch of tarmac and back on the dirt tracks.

We stopped for lunch at a shady watering hole.

A couple of rough looking dogs came to check us out.  Toby greeted them with respect so they decided we were no threat and decided to join our walk for a short while.

Then it were back up t' hill, round a few bends and back down tut cars.   Fortunately, David and Martin had found their way back as the cars had vanished.

Back to the café for the usual well-deserved refreshments.  It were a grand day out but I forgot to take anymore photos after lunch.

I shortened the walk slightly to 13.25 kms but no complaints there.  Thanks to those who joined us today. 

Linda

 

A short walk to start the season....around Messines to Funcho

 A short walk to start the season and that means a short blog !

From east and west they met at O Momento in Messines on a cloudy, close morning. Lots of chatter but the13 walkers and 2 dogs lined up dutifully for the photo. Names not necessary , we all know who's who.

 Although the walk would be west of Messines the first loop took us due east on a flat track past some lush greenery .

A teeny little slope having safely negotiated 2 roundabouts. Single file, very well behaved at this point.

 Back in Messines the leader forced a stop to look at the sandstone carving and tools used in the past. Some poetry from João de Deus  was studied and attempts made to translate it.

 Then it was uphill towards Penedo Grande and the wiggely little back streets and alleyways of the town.

We stopped to look at the poet's birthplace and 3 walkers stopped altogether and made their way back through town to their cars - or perhaps they fancied lunch at O Momento ?

 Now heading west we followed the railway until we could go through the tunnel and up the hill to .....

...to the Santa Ana chapel ( murmerings in Messines that it may be restored and reroofed one of these days ) and the lovely tiled picture of the Battle of Santa Ana in 1834.

Lunch in the shade  - Toby had already had his on the way up.

Uphill from the chapel and then down towards the top end of Barragem Funcho. 

At a fork the rights on the right had it and we walked a longer loop to join the road back to  Intermarché in Messines. 

Some were so revived by their drinks that they went off to play the Volta machine, others found their drinks rather smaller than usual and Martin went AWOL looking for books in a charity shop . That was the last we saw of him.

Walk was about 14kms, elevation 165m....Plus 1.6k through Messines to the cars.

Thanks to all who came and great to have our photographer with us again.

ps. Martin sent apologies - accepted and he's still allowed to walk with us.

Ros