All kinds of Everything

 AWW Wednesday 17th January 2024

Having experienced a huge storm the night before, but buoyed by the weather forecast of sunshine and showers, 12 of us set off from Armendoeira on what was to be a very memorable walk.

Left to Right: Martin, Tim, Peter, Julie, Linda, Geoff, Kim, Miriam, Steve, Karen, Tony; Ken was the photographer and dogs, Rafa, Toby and Bica

Geoff brought 2 new walkers along, Tim and Kim.  What an introduction to the AWW.

We set off in overcast skies along a narrow stony path until we reached the road where we headed upwards. At this point the rain started so it was a quick break to put on raingear

          

We then crossed over to descend the steepish stony path down to the main road for a short while before making our way uphill again.  The sun had come out now so it was disrobing time  (again!)

From dark skies to blue skies we continued on our way down towards the river and to a lovely house where the owners were living the dream.  Unfortunately they didn't fence their property, and Toby spotted some tasty ducks wandering around and decided he'd like to bring one for Linda.  Shock horror, the owner spots Toby with said duck and screams obscenities at Toby and shouts to his wife to fetch the shotgun. At which point Bica and Rafa decided it was probably best not to join Toby and we all moved swiftly down the lane just in case. The man at that point had grabbed a very large pick axe and was waving it at Toby to get him to drop the duck. Linda apologised of course but the owners were not listening and continued to scream abuse at Linda.  So we all decided it was best to move down the lane and regroup.

Newly named by Steve "The Dog and Duck"

All looking the other way just in case!! Ken had left Bica's lead at the last stop so had to go back for it while we all waited in trepidation.

A very upset Linda joined us and we continued walking along the cycle path, on towards Fonte da Esparrela where the water was rushing in a torrent and was the face of things to come.

The duck owners land rover came past us and we all looked away just in case.

                          

Up we went again and on towards Querenca where we decided to stop for a coffee.  Some of the group decided it was lunch time but we had to continue as there was still some way to go.

The rain decided to come again just as we had thought it was gone as the sun was out and there was a rainbow over our heads.

                                          You can just make out the rainbow if you look hard enough!

Leaving Querenca, we made our way through the hamlets, past dozens of barking dogs but fortunately no more ducks or chickens, ( only the metal ones and the remains of another animal)

Miriam took a wrong turn at one point but found the path and we made our way past the lavanderia towards Corte Garcia. It was at this point that we came across a wall which Miriam decided would be a drier place for lunch than sitting on the ground. 

       

All sitting in a row for lunch, except Linda and Toby who must have felt they needed to be separated for bad behaviour!

It was all going so well.  Miriam and Ken had recced the walk 10 days earlier and had reported " a couple of water crossings but nothing difficult and good stepping stones".

What they hadn't reckoned on was a big storm with torrential rain the night before which left all the streams raging torrents and the water crossings tricky to say the least!

So we now had to ford at least 5 water crossings which seemed to get progressively more difficult. Linda and Martin claimed to be the only ones with dry feet at the end of the walk.  Ken had waterproof socks so he had dry feet but not boots. The rest of us had varying degrees of wetness.

Here's a selection of photos to show how difficult it was to navigate.

      

      

    

We reached Fonte Felipe eventually and those that knew the area well decided to take us on an alternative route back to Armendoieira.  There was an extra water crossing and a fenced off field followed by some rather large pigs standing in our way.

Reaching the leaders original path, it was on back towards the Cafe Mateus for an extremely welcome sit down and drink.  It was lovely to see Sue Minnis who joined us for a drink.  Several of us bought locally made honey and we were given honey almond sweets by the owner.  No-one could speak now so we upped and left, I'm afraid I forgot to take any photos of the cafe finish.

Stats:  Distance 16.7

Stats:   

Distance:  16.74 km

Elevation:  428m

Average speed:  4.3km/hr

Moving Time:  3 hr 55 min

Total time:  4 hr 59 min

PS....I couldn't resist the challenge of getting Tim's video onto the blog....I am sure others also took many. Anyway...(Geoff)

 

AWW Querenca and Corte Garcia Wed 11th Jan 2024

 

In Querenca village, on a hill so high,

Sixteen hikers, under the Portuguese sky.

Leader Martin, with plans so grand,

But left his backpack on the starting land.

Back he went, with a face so red,

While the others chuckled, shaking their heads.

Alan, Peter, Tony, and crew,

Awaited Martin and his backpack too.

Four dogs pranced, Rafa, Toby, and more,

Bica and Ziggy, a joy to explore.

The trail unfolded, with hills in sight,

John, rusty but with spirits bright.

Hiking up hills, he gave his all,

Though he hadn't walked in quite a thrall.

Miriam, Julie, Karen, and Ken,

Cheered him on, again and again.

Gill, Steve, Stephen, and Susan in tow,

Climbing those hills with a lively glow.

Brid, not missing a step or a beat,

As they conquered the terrain beneath their feet.

At Fonte Filip, a well they found,

Seats available, a lunchtime playground.

Packed lunches out, under the sun,

The hikers feasted, on a trek well-spun.

Onward they marched, with a collective will,

The final hill, a challenging thrill.

Querenca's summit, a joyful sight,

The end in view, oh, what a delight!

To the small café, they eagerly sped,

For a beer, a glass of wine, or coffee instead.

With laughter and tales, the day they'd toast,

A hike in Portugal they cherished the most!

Thanks to Alan for the photos.

Copyright M.McKenna and C.H.A. Gpt 

Two Trigs and Several Windmills 27 12 2023

Windy Miller and the Trumpton gang go in search of windmills and two trigs.

 

Windy Miller with Captain Flack: Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, and Grubb. Sorry got a bit carried away there - it’s Alan, Tony, Claire, Steve, Julie,  Gerry, Julie, Richard hiding at the back,  Karen and  David with Amy

In glorious weather the very festive group set off from the Intermarche Sao Bras over the road and down towards Cerro Mesquita. 

That's a big one!  Just what we like to see on a sunny December morning.

And some stunning views.

The sights and sounds of the Algarve.

Julie pointed out a magnificent pair - of windmills.   The Mesquita ridge had several in all states of repair/disrepair.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.”

 “ No you lazy beggar, come up the stairs like everyone else.”

There were some gentle hills to get us moving after the Christmas festivities but nothing too difficult.

Leading from behind.   Well they couldn't get lost.

Get your smalls out.  At the wash-house.  Early on David explained that a Bica was a spout or could be used in Portuguese as a euphemism for something entirely different, so be very careful when you’re asking for a pecana bica - you never know what you might get !!!

Our photographer went for the arty shot.  

 The main objectives of the first half of the walk. The recently restored Bengado Windmill. This mill was built in 1850,  it's a Mediterranean-type, fixed, built in stone with an area of 42.50 m2,  

The Bengado trig.  A little information about trigs. In Sao Bras there are 14 geodesic vertices, or trigs, one of which, in the shape of a weathervane, is located at the top of the Igreja Matriz Tower. Tony and I haven’t climbed up to that one but have visited 10 of them so far. This trig is 319m above sea level and is a Bolembreano.

A magnificent pair.

We continued on our way, back down the hill, and across the N270 following the walking route into the Bengado valley. The area around São Brás is cork oak territory and although there were many handsome ones on view, Karen pointed out that it was a shame to see so many dead ones that had been over stripped

This is what will happen to you if you disobey the walk leader - trust me!

Mushrooms on toast anyone?

The main objective of the second half, the Bico Alto trig.  We kept up AWW traditions by making the youngest member climb the trig.   Bico Alto is at 366m and is also a Bolembreano

And our photographer decided to take another arty photo.   Don't we look grand!

On the way back down from the trig.

 

They breed 'em tough here!

The most important part of the walk.  A welcome drink. With a welcome returnee, just for the coffee and company on this occasion.

Many thanks to Alan for the fab photos

The boring bits:-  Distance:12.84 kms. Elevation Gain: 327m. Moving Time: 2 h 45 mins.  Total Time: 3 h 22 mins.

.

Happy New Year to everyone 

Seven Go East to Meet the Giant!

                  AWW 3rd January 2024. Seven go East to Meet the Giant!

This first walk of 2024 saw us exploring new ground for a regular AWW outing, taking us far away to the frontier with Spain. The idea was to walk for around 12k north from Vila Real do Santo Antonio, following the route of GR15, the long distance trail north up the Guadiana Valley, ending at the village of Jungeira, and getting a taxi back to the town. Then we were to go and see the Giant!

Those attempting this enormous journey, (it took just over an hour!) were Claire, Julie B and David in one car, and Steve, Karen, Julie F and Tony in another. We all arrived safely near the rather odd Fishermen´s Monument on the riverside in good time, the party of 4 beating the Party of 3 to it. A quick coffee was taken before we set off, bearing in mind that we had a deadline of 1.00 p.m. The weather was generally dull throughout, with two short periods of drizzle, but conditions for walking were good, the air being mild.

The first half of the walk was wholly on tarmac, but it was full of interest. The first k or so follows the riverbank of the Guadiana, with views across the water to Spain, and passing the statue of the Marquis de Pombal. I´m not sure the old boy would recognise himself in the modernist version, but it is certainly dramatic! 

Turning away from the river, we walked by the railway for a short time, passing the station, and then turned north to cross the salt marshes on a seemingly endless stretch of the N122. This trek was enlivened by sight of flamingos in the distance, as well as other wading birds. These sightings were eclipsed, however, by our encounter with two punched metal statues set in small alcoves at the side of the road. The female (naked) was astride a bike, while her male counterpart (ditto) strode out on foot.

Claire attempts to preserve the modesty of the young lady. Not sure what Steve was doing!

                            Whereas the young man was left to flaunt whatever he had!

We were now approaching Castro Marim, and were impressed by the fortifications and the efforts of the Camara to improve the approach to the town. Christmas decorations in the centre also caught our attention.

                                Black cattle on the salt marsh looked more like fighting bulls

                                                    The Approach to Castro Marim

                                                         Christmas Decorations.

 Climbing a little out of CM, we at last left the black top, and headed uphill on a track taking us past the municipal water-tower. In the next valley we passed an enormous, clearly abandoned, hotel building, obviously completed in recent years, but standing unused. From this point on, the leader forgot he was photographer as well, so no more pics until the presepio.

The next objective was the village of Monte Francisco, most of which we bypassed to the south, after crossing beneath the A22. Then it was back into open country again, though with more tarmac, passing the northern end of the Castro Marim golf course, and taking a track under the N122. We were now approaching Jungeira - luckily, as we were running out of time to get our taxi. Approaching the village, I took a wrong turn and led the party around it rather then through it. However, we arrived at the main road at exactly the right place, with the taxi in the process of turning round, so all was well.

We returned to VRSA within minutes, alighting near the Pombal statue, and went in search of lunch. In spite of agreeing to have a ´snack´, we all ending up having quite a substantial meal. Julie B and Karen´s tuna salads were mountainous, and the English breakfasts offered to three more of us were also generous - though in the Portuguese manner, lukewarm by the time they reached us.

A brief search then took us to the Centro Cultural Antonio Aleixo to see the Giant. This, of course is the Presepio Gigante, the enormous model landscape created every year in the town at Christmas time. It simply has to be seen to be believed, though the photos will give some idea of the scale and intricacy of the project. What you don´t see from photos are the moving parts, with running water and tiny tradesmen at work, waterwheels turning and day turning to night as the lights are dimmed at intervals. The photos that follow will give you some idea of the scale and complexity of the project.

                                                                    General View

The Theatre

The Magi and road-mending.

The Nativity - a very small part of the display.

Boat-building.

Salting Fish

Waterside scene.

Workshops and Traders.

General scene with watermill.

So a great day out, and all returned well satisfied with the experience.  We covered almost 13k in the end, in three hours. Thanks to my companions for enhancing the experience. It were grand!