WAGS join Almargem for 30th Anniversary: 24.06.2018

Having missed the last potential WAGS walks of the season because of travels, absences and lack of volunteers to lead, Myriam and I received a circular from Almargem advertising a walk and lunch to commemorate their 30 years of existence.  Some of the earlier AWWs and several WAGS have had a long loose association with Almargem, which came about largely during our attempts to develop and legitimise the Algarve Way or Via Algarviana back in 1996- 1999. Then the AWW was a fledgling organisation and completed the first two crossings of the Algarve by our own versions of the path in 1998 (W to E) and 1999 (E to W).

      Coincidentally we have invited Almargem representatives to attend our 20th Anniversary of the first crossing of the Algarve Way in October, so we felt it was appropriate that we should be represented at their celebration. Unfortunately Rod was out of the country and so, on 24th June 2018, Myriam and I arrived at the appointed time (10 am) in the out of the way village of Sarnardas.

Restaurante Rosmaninho. Appointed meeting place, 10 am

     As we well knew, times with Almargem are flexible, a principle we have adopted with the WAGS latterly, so we went a few meters down the road where we found an open coffee shop.

Another 15 minutes and Myriam was looking for ways to pass the time!

It was getting warm, and we clearly needed water, but the festive decorations looked in danger.

Eventually in dribs and drabs, Almargem began arriving, and Philippe, the proprietor of Restaurante Rosmaninho, who was in fact leading the walk AND providing the lunch, emerged.

We set off at about 1030 am.  There were several that we had met before, including Francisco, who used to walk regularly with us in the AWW around the turn of the century!

Myriam with new BFF Elena and Francisco.

  The walk was at a reasonably gentle WAGS like pace, but a long uphill ridge walk soon reached a welcome breeze.

On the way up - Soidos in the background.

Top of climb - a well restored windmill......

....and another in need of some improvement.

Back down to the valley.

When we returned to the road leading to Sarnardas, a referendum was held as we had only done about 5 km. so we did a loop to make it a bit more respectable, and give the cooks more time to prepare lunch.

Back in the village

As it was the walk was only just over 2 hours, but had been more of a pleasant pre-prandial stroll for chatting and getting to know Almargem.

The tale of the Garmin.

The track of the walk

Soon the serious business of the day was underway.

As is common with walking lunches, a few non-walkers came just for the food, including Anabela who does the Admin, and Joao Ministro who was the leading light behind the official creation of the VA, but who now works with a private company promoting walking tours.

    I must say that the lunch was an epic. Philippe and his staff produced one of the finest group lunches we have had in the Algarve, serving quality white Bacalhau chunks, Arroz con Pato and Ensopada de Javali, with fresh bread. olives, wine, beers etc, and a great choice of desserts. To follow was a 30th Anniversary cake.

One sad note, Joao Santos, who was one of the founders of Almargem and a leading light in the organisation since, was unable to attend owing to ill health, We wish him well in his recovery.

A short valedictory was made by Sr Raposo, who is the VP of Almargem currently.

 and we went on our way tired and sated. Walk 2 hours - lunch over 3 hours - which is as it should be for a celebration such as this.

    So now we look forward to our own 20th Anniversary of the First Algarve Way crossing in October, and along with old friends from AWW, we hope to welcome some Almargem representatives.

By way of a post script, and at this point, Portugal being still optimistic about the 2018 FIFA World Cup, on the way back we spotted this symbol of national Pride above Alte.

Forca Portugal