We had a certain amount of rain the previous 5 or 6 days, so the Alvor Boardwalk was chosen as being least likely to be muddy, and unlikely to soil the highly technical footwear exhibited by our members.
The Hopes had defected back to the AWW, so the starter photo was casually taken by me without the benefit of a Gorilla Pod, and so only contains the other 9 punters.
We met at the highly rated Barca de Alvor, womanned by the owner, a very nice local lady, the menu board looked good.
L-R: Andy, Hilke, Chris, Antje, Frank, Gita, Thyl, Rod, Myriam.
Well almost 9, as Thyl demonstrates his chameleon-like skills and blends with the restaurant umbrella. In fact there were nearly only 7 of us, as Thyl did 3 drive-bys before determining it was safe to land. There was a hint of domestic navigational dispute in the air as Gita and Thyl arrived pretending not to know each other!
Andy, Chris and Antje's bestie, and ofttimes dog and house sitter, was also persuaded to parade, having been promised an easy stroll and a tosta mista at the end.
Frank arrived unannounced but in good time, and some malicious commentators hinted that he didn't reply to calling circulars to stay one step ahead of the Brigado Transito.
Thyl spots the camera as Gita arrives under separate cover. The menu board proudly announces "The Best Breakfast"! Perhaps later when we have earned it.
The walk itself was leisurely and enjoyable. We went up through the town to the Igreja Matriz, turned right and down a secret dirt path to the harbour front and then made our way past the esplanade restaurants, fish market and lifeboat station to the start of the splendid boardwalk.
Igreja Matriz in the sun
Repairing the nets
Soon after we hit the boardwalk, the sole on one of Gita's Levi walking boots came unstuck and started flapping. Being a practical person, she performed a double sole-ectomy, and carried on, 2 cm shorter than hitherto.
Don't tell a sole!
After about 2 km, we reached the end of one section of the board walk, and noticed that with the tide out, we could continue to the beach side via the shore.
Chris returns from safari!
Broad flat paths allow for conversation - and no mud.
Abbey Road - Alvor style!
After this we descended to the long wide beach that is a feature of the southern side of the spit. The wind had got up and was in our faces, but with the tide out, we made good progress.
Not too crowded!
Soon after this, Chris and Frank went for an early shower, leaving 8 of us to complete the course.
Tres Irmaoes at the eastern end of the beach.
At this point, we headed back to the board walk above the beach and headed back to Torralta. The board walk has only been completed right to the Prainha end of the beach since last year and is a sturdy, well built, not to mention, expensive construction. It really enhances this resort.
A fine sentiment for the Day after Valentine's
From Torralta and its abandoned and unsafe towers, we took a fairly direct route back to Barca de Alvor, slavering at the thought of an All Day FEB, only to find that the lady owner was packing up, having been left without assistance. She did ask what she could do for us, but we felt it unfair to inflict the assorted demands of 9 (Chris had rejoined) hungry walkers, so left for pastures anew.
Many of the cafes in Alvor close during the winter, but on the way in I had noticed a place at the foot of a tower block which was open, and fortuitously it was near where I had parked my car, The grandly named cafe, Tesouros de Sabores had a suitable terrace enclosed in a transparent plastic windbreaker which was useful as the site between the towerblocks was a wind tunnel fit to test a Porsche at high speed.
Most went for a fairly tasty tosta mista as bifanas were off the menu, but the lady running it coped admirably with the usual diverse drinks orders. She also had a display selling honey made by her own family, which delighted Myriam and Rod when they found an unusual bitter medronha honey, and having tasted a sample, bought some.
Myriam had eaten half by the time I got round to this photo.
And so to the stats.
An acceptable WAGS walk.
The Track
And what better way to end a Boardwalk than with the Drifters.
"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."
It was a very leisurely, relaxing walk in good company and with interesting topics of conversation. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe best was the discovery of medrohno honey (ignorantly, I had never tried it before)!! I love it's bitterness, been eating it by spoonfuls! Yummy!
who was trying to steal the mad woman's toastie?
ReplyDeletePhotographer take note: a good photographer can make the most ugly person look better. A