A true WAGS Style walk. We met by very loose arrangement at either Retiro de Trindade (for coffee) if you managed to negotiate the Black Ball Roundabout as described by Chris, or at Ponta da Piedade Car Park, (if you forgot which walking regime you had signed up for, Ingrid,) either on Wednesday 7th, Wednesday 8th or Friday (Ingrid), but nominally around 10 am – if you could make it.
A good turn out of 13, including a last one who suspiciously arrived late and then identified me with a kiss, but luckily she didn’t deny me three times before the cock.. ‘…….oh sorry that’s another story.
It was a colder than expected day, as you can see by the dress, but perfect walking conditions.
John took a starter photo, but spent the rest of the walk claiming he didnt have a camera and that he had retired from blogging. Methinks he protested too much.
Anyway, Chris after some procrastination and denying that he was the leader, refusing to accept more than ten, took us off, and even sent in a fairly comprehensive set of notes which I append below. interspersed with random photos.
Starters before Ingrid arrived: John, Frank, Chris, Rod, Geraldine(front) Hazel, Paul, Maria (front) Myriam, Antje (on the phone to Ingrid) Peter, Hilke.
Chris writes:
Another cliff walk for the WAGS, this time from Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, to Luz and back. Thirteen participants turned up, some at the Cafe Trindade others at the lighthouse. Most having successfully navigated the Black Ball roundabout several times in both directions. Some were early, others late, so an average start time of about 10.20 was agreed upon.
Follow then follow – Down to the Hollow
Visual observation of the high tide at Porto do Mos meant that we followed the road down rather than the precarious cliff path that the AWW's took some 10 years ago.
Up from Porto de Mos
Climbing slowly up the hill towards Luz we were slightly delayed when Frank had to rescue Shelly from a tree that she had tried to climb in pursuit of a cat, which resulted in her getting stuck half way up. Fortunately her rescue didn't require the help of the Bombeiros, Frank doing the necessary but returning well scratched, from either cat, dog or the tree itself.
A dog in the hand ………
The next pantomime occurred when Hazel, usually collecting plastic bottle tops and unused sugar packets, apprehended a passing tourist unsure of where to deposit a banana skin, by requesting that he give her said article to add to her collection. Something to do with roses apparently, but now no longer will any WAGS or AWW's be allowed to hurl such articles into the bushes whilst Hazel is around.
Almond blossom in all its glory.
Nearing the obelisk above Luz two tourists had emerged from the Boa Vista Golf Course and were seeking directions for returning to Luz. Senior WAGS were only too glad to direct them over the near vertical precipice above the village, with the advice that in their younger days as AWW's they had both climbed up as well as down in a matter of minutes. No doubt the tourists descent was fairly rapid given that they were wearing quite unsuitable footwear.
Splendid view from the Obelisk.
Later in the walk some further items of discarded clothing were observed, including a pair of walking boots. Together with the items of underwear etc seen on previous WAGS walks it would seem that our phantom walking companion must by now be fully disrobed.
Needless to say the group were still sufficiently inspired to tackle the long ascent up to Ponta da Piedade with hardly a groan, despite both the distance and time now being nearly on the limit of WAGS stated criteria.
Paul got a tow up the hill..
Having concluded that he must have dropped his car keys somewhere near the finish, Frank was very relieved when an intelligent tourist picked them up and having identified via the remote which car they belonged to was able to return them to their grateful owner. After this excitement most of us repaired once more to Cafe Trindade to partake of what is probably the cheapest coffee and beer in town, as well as reasonably priced snacks and menus.
Back at Retiro de Trindade
Although I stopped counting at ten, participants were Rod, John, Hazel and Geraldine, Maria, Paul and Myriam, Ingrid, Hilke, Frank, Peter, Antje and myself together with Sascha, Shelly and Enkie.
The WAGettes , unusually well synchronised, performing an Oxalis Crushing routine.
Whose ears are burning?
Final Score. Met all the criteria – well done Chris.
“I dreamed a thousand new paths. I woke and walked my old one.”
Chinese Proverb
An excellent day for walking along one of the most beautiful coast lines, and in good company. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe WAGs' challenge is to find the rest of the missing outfit of the phantom walker!