WAGS 22.03.2017:On Parade at Porches

 

     Their names are household words- Marie Curie – first female Nobel Prizewinner: Valentina Tereshkova – first woman in space: Harriet Quimby –first lady to fly across the Channel; Amelia Earhart – first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic; Margaret Thatcher – first female Prime Minister of UK; Gertrude Edele –first lady to swim the Channel; and of course Priscilla Grant – but there is a new name to be added to the list; Hilke Glienke – First lady to lead a WAGS Walk unassisted!

    It has been a long time coming, but who knows, now that the glass ceiling has been broken, what future adventures await?

  I am sure that Hilke submitted her report speedily, but alas it didn’t reach me, as Komoot had it, courtesy of the reply button, when it should have been forwarded to me. A quick reminder and this was corrected very quickly.

Here is Hilke’s report:-

 

On a seemingly grey day with a forecast of rain for 11 o`clock 12 walkers set out from Porches Snack Bar A Palmeira:

Paul and Myriam, Chris and Antje plus dog Sascha, Hedley, Janette, Thyl and Gita, John H. and Hazel and Geraldine and their leader Hilke.

The first hill early on warmed us up and then the sun came out. We walked through a beautiful valley with yellow flowers (some of them broom, some we were not quite sure about, the flowers looked like broom, but they had real little leaves) and rose-coloured cistus flowers. It is really not far from civilization, but it seemed completely unspoiled. After reaching the seaside with Nossa Senhora da Rocha and turning back inland, some raindrops came down. But Antje saved us from a real shower by putting on her rain trousers.

We were back in the Snack Bar in time before the locals came in and could arrange some tables to sit together in comfort.

It was a leisurely walk, not much of a distance covered, but we all thought 2 h 25 was quite enough for a WAGS walk.

 

   I must concede that the walk was achieved admirably and ably organised, from the directions, parking and cafe at the start,  to the marshalling of recalcitrant walkers, the adherence to WAGs parameters, and the reserved table for our Apres-WAGS activities at the end.

We drove to a more convenient starting point than the Palmeira Cafe which was on a busy main road.

   We milled about for a few minutes, adjusting rucksacks, zeroing GPS and John set up his trusty Sony on the gorilla pod which he affixed to the wing mirror of Hilke’s car.  Alas the gremlins struck and several kilometers into the walk, John announced that the wind must have caught his camera as the photo was slightly blurred and needed recomposing.

Not a wrinkle in sight!

A minor setback, but nothing daunted we posed for the starter pic at the end of the walk, and we were all still there looking as fresh as daisies……...

……..and the weather had improved too. L-R Snapper John, Sasha, Antje, Paul, Hazel Janette, Hilke, Hedley, Geraldine, Gita, Myriam, Chris, Thyl. 

      You will all notice the prize avocados, that have become such a value-added feature of WAGS walks, thanks to Hazel’s generosity and green fingers! The other First Woman only had an apple with which to bemuse men!

   Also, you may notice from the amazing variety of dress – or lack of it, that certain WAGS are more temperature sensitive than others, or perhaps having started the walk in less than temperate conditions were too idle to adjust their garb. This interim season around the start of Spring can provide a lot of variety in temperature and precipitation. Geraldine is clearly in training for her return to Edinburgh, Myriam preparing for our visit to St Petersburg next month, and Thyl dressed like that when he was walking to base camp on Everest anyway.

    The walk had clearly been planned and reccied, and the first half was largely off road and down some interesting paths towards the sea.

  Soon after the start I spotted a geocache location at Poco Santo, where we crossed the road, but alas, a few minutes search by 12 pairs of eyes failed to locate anything. Also there were two previous DNF logs  on the cache page.

The Holy Well.

  A photo opportunity was seized when Myriam spotted an avocado green toilet bowl standing beside the path. These were popular in the ‘70’s and the Daily Mail (it must be true) recently reported that if developers bought homes with such old fashioned decor, they could quadruple the cost in updating in added value. I refer unbelievers to THIS.

A study in walking fashions

Playing catch up!

John caught up in time to snap this interesting group shot…

….entitled ‘Homage to the camera(man)’.  I am not sure where Chris and Hazel went!

Senhora da Rocha hove into view – halfway at around 5 km.

    The Walk Orders had not included a break at Senhora da Rocha, but several of the ladies seized  the opportunity to admire the porcelain in one of the cafes. We were entertained by a vociferous labrador, who had been marooned in a life boat in front of the cafe while his owner took refreshment. He was either highly trained or couldn’t jump down!!

He was soon comforted by Paul

A few pertinent lines inscribed on the bow of the boat read “ I rule not land, I rule not sea. All I see rules me”, which would be a fitting epitaph for a WAG looking lovingly at his wife.

These proved to be the final lines of a moving verse about a Fisherman’s Kingdom on a placard behind the boat which John recorded:-

As you can see, our WAGS walks are not just physical events – we also strive for culture at every opportunity.

More entertainment was provided by a line of the Algarve equivalent of ‘Boris Bikes’, which might have been useful had we been returning to another station by road.

A bit more tarmac on the return route but eventually we set off across the fields and arrived back at the cars where we re-enacted the Starter photo. Then back in the cars to Palmeira, whose outdoor canopied smoking room we reached and occupied before the local builders could arrive for lunch.

   The tables were rearranged, and the assembly duly photographed with this clever shot by John who held the camera above and behind his head for the desired effect:

Myriam attempted a more daring photo from the other end, but as I never saw the result I guess it was not a success. However she took great personal risk in the attempt

The service was fairly slow, but accurate, and the builders received their drinks quickly by the expedient of lining up at the bar rather than waiting impatiently as we did.

The bifanas received an average mark from the Trip Adviser accredited Restaurant Expert Level 64 ….

…..mainly because the bread wasn’t very fresh, and the whole a bit dry despite the humidising properties of the tomatoes, and two attempts at providing tasteless Portuguese mustard resulted in thick dried up splodges that refused to leave the plastic bottle by the approved route.. They were however tender and well-marinated. Only 3 bifanas were available with pao caseira and the rest, who perhaps had the tastier choice, were in pap’ seco. Hedley pronounced the tosta mista tolerable.

  Nevertheless, mission accomplished and though a little light on distance we walked for over 2 1/2 hrs and no one was complaining they had been short changed.

The stats showed a distance of 8.4 km over a total time of 2 hrs 31 minutes with a moving average of 4.1 km/hr. and a climb of 167m. in all.

 

 

The track of the route looked like this:-

Thanks Hilke and we look forward to the next Lady Leader.

“It is time for a new generation of leadership, to cope with new problems and new opportunities. For there is a new world to be won.”

• John F. Kennedy

WAGS 15.03.2017: WAGS Mata

 

         Forecasts from the previous few days gloomily predicted rain for our Wednesday outing, and rain it did in Lagos until about 0630 am, when the skies cleared and we were almost back to Spring. Hedley needed a little reassurance, but even in our Dias Douradas, we WAGS can still handle some potential rain.

         The chosen walk was a bit last minute, as I wanted to walk in or near the Mata Nacional, but there was still some doubt as to whether all the processionary caterpillars had descended and gone to ground, as Sasha would be with us. Instead of diving in amongst the pine trees, I chose a wide open path that should take us to the north of BSJ and mostly avoid the pines.

         Most of the party of 8 found the Vadibar Cafe open, and had their fix before 10 when we carried on up to the Cultural Centre carpark and RV’d with Hilke and Hedley. Fortunately we had John and his timer camera com Gorillapod. so we had a comprehensive photo of all the starters including a rather dubious looking chap in the background. I am sure he was there the last time!

L-R John, Hilke, Chris, Myriam, Paul, Hazel, Geraldine, Hedley, Algarvean Shepherd

Quite why Hilke thought it was necessary to have Chris on a lead I am not sure.

Colour commentary may be a bit short this blog, as it was all fairly straightforward. Wide flattish paths, few navigational decisions, not streams or puddles to cross, and only one minor hill at the end, which Chris and Hilke managed to circumvent anyway. Conversations could be held in Dolby 7.2 Surround Sound, on at least 5 channels simultaneously.

   We got underweigh at about 1020, which could have led to an intense etymological discussion, but we were all rather relaxed about it.

Ski-ing out along the long wide paths

There are always more wind turbines than last time!

A  bit of excitement – I believe this is a juvenile ladder snake or was, as although it appeared undamaged, IF it was still alive it gave a very convincing performance as an ex-snake. Apparently a constrictor with no fangs.

Wandering round the backpaths of the forest, we always come across sites which have been set up as camps for the New Age Travellers, or draft dodgers as they used to be.  A couple of English reg. vans with a wooden hut in between.

A used processionary worm nest. There were more than a few on this section of the walk.

Some killjoy from Vale de Coelho had posted these private signs prohibiting all manners of natural enjoyment. If only I had had my trusty black marker pen!!

Before we ascended sculpture hill we came across this beautifully blossoming tree. We quickly ascertained it was not almond, nor standard cherry, but Hazel and Hilke ventured it might be an ornamental cherry. Perhaps Lindsey knows.

A closer look at the blossom.

And then the sting in the tail. A short but sharp romp up Sculpture Hill where the sculptures are increasing in number faster than could be reasonably be expected by propagation.

Soon after this insight into the imagination of the BSJ Sculptor, we arrived back at Vadibar, where the slightly unprepossessing surroundings revealed an owner possessed of the abilities to prepare gourmet bifanas and tostas mistas at a very reasonable price. And chips!!

John managed to find some street art, though not on a par with that in Lagos.

Vadibar complete with multilingual coffee themed dicta on the tastefully coloured walls.

Alas the beer wasn’t ‘free’, except of alcohol, but the bifanas were well marinated and on fresh crusty rolls.

 

For the record, the total distance for those that climbed the Hill was 10.95 km, moving time 2 hrs 32 minutes, total time, 2 hrs 53 min., moving average 4.3 km/hr and overall average 3.8 km/hr, all within the statutory WAGS limits. We reportedly climbed almost 300 metres, although most of that was in the last section up the hill!.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

WAGS 08.03.2017: Figueira Ladies’ Excuse-me.

 

PROLOGUE from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

(delivered by QUINCE)

If we offend, it is with our good will.

That you should think we come not to offend,

But with good will. To show our simple skill,

That is the true beginning of our end.

Consider then we come but in despite.

We do not come as minding to contest you,

Our true intent is. All for your delight

We are not here. That you should here repent you,

The actors are at hand, and by their show

You shall know all that you are like to know.

The brave call had gone out, proposing that a WAGette would be an entirely appropriate person to lead a walk on March 8th,  International Women’s Day.

I forebear from detailing the deluge of excuses and apologies that flooded in, but suffice to say that we would be Leaderessless on that historic day. 

Having stepped into the breach, I was gratified to have the support of Rod, Chris, and Peter.  Hedley, with a keen nose for a crisis flew in the night before and signed up with alacrity.  There was a short period of hope when Gita protested that she would walk with Thyl, and she wasn’t a man, after I had surmised that it would be a 5 man walk, but regrettably, she and he cried off on the day of the match, for reasons unadvanced, but I hope it wasn’t something I said!!

     And so the Famous Five gathered at 10 am at Tassbem in Figueira, although I recall the Original Famous Five had two girls and a dog among their number.

 After a leisurely coffee we drove over to the start outside  the Figueira Recreational Club in Rods limo. It was the best day for weeks, about 22C and clear blue and windless.

After crossing the N125 – considerably more hazardous than crossing the rail bridge, seen from the road, below, unless you took the 2km detour over the Footbridge That Is Never Used, we saw the target.

        Health and Safety deemed it necessary for the Leader to be familiar with the train times as we had to cross the rail bridge  early on, and sure enough the 1027 went past, bang on time, just before we reached the track.

Hedley is a belt and braces man, so he applied the time honoured acoustic test to make sure it was safe.

 

 

It was strangely quiet and peaceful as we traversed the Long Dyke, about which no jokes were made as it was IWD.

Entering the Long Dyke

Later the conversation picked up, ranging on all the manly topics, wine, cars, rugby and……I am not sure if I can mention the rest!

The first ice plant flowers were beginning, giving a rare splash of colour.

Before long we had reached the causeway and sluice gates across the river, giving me a chance to get in a photo. Clearly by this stage of the walk we were missing the company of the fairer sex so much that we looked quite miserable………..

….except Chris.. while the camera was working anyway!

 

After leaving the causeway, there was a short slippery descent which counted Rod as a victim, and then a shortish climb up a damp dirt path.

They’ll be coming round the mountain…… Splendid views across the Alvor estuary.

 

 

If you look carefully in the photo below you can just make out some tall wading birds, probably cranes. The flamingos we saw last time have moved on.

The skydivers had been very busy from Portimao airfield during the whole of the walk, and we passed right under the flight path on our way back.

We took a slight crosscountry detour to the Roman site at Abicada derived from the Komoot map, and it saved us repeating part of the walk. We managed to circumvent the bogs and stay dry, preserving Rod’s stylish new Colombia walking shoes, without testing their waterproof qualities.

Abicada was fast being reclaimed by nature and none of the mosaic tiles could be seen from outside the fence, which had been trespass proofed by large quantities of blue twine.

 

The remainder of the walk back was uneventful – we crossed the railway again, safe in the knowledge that the next train to Lagos would be at least 5 minutes away.

It was a nicely judged walk, even if I do say so myself. Almost exactly 3 hours and 10 km.

Back to Tassbem, where all stayed for a very reasonable bifana or tosta mista in what might be termed luxurious surroundings by usual standards.

 

LYSANDER

“He hath rid his prologue like a rough colt. He knows not the stop. A good moral, my lord: it is not enough to speak, but to speak true.”