WAGS 16.01.2019: Poço Frito – Just A Stroll In The Park

In recent weeks, Paul has been voicing his concerns at not only pushing the limits for our gentle WAGS strolls, but also at the numbers turning up, which strung out the field and made the catering at the end difficult. Indeed, the previous week´s WAGS had seen a turn-out of no fewer than 18 (a record WAGS?) despite his discouraging animadversions. Perhaps he had made the Vale de Telha outing sound too interesting to miss. Something had to be done.
Landed in the hot seat this week, I decided that the answer was to offer a repeat of a walk over rather boring and unchallenging countryside, with no interesting features whatsoever. To some extent this did solve the problem of numbers. Among those of found the lack of challenge completely resistible (or to put it another way, sacrificed their need for exercise on the altar of politically correct numerical minimalisation) were, for a variety of reasons, Ingrid, Yves, Hilke, Janet and Peter S.
And so it was that a reduced contingent of 12 met at Poço Frito´s Café Martins for early morning coffees, which were perhaps not quite to taste for some. More to the majority taste was the prospect of the Prato do Dia – Feijão com Couve – and most participants jettisoned the idea of routine bifanas com tomate in favour of the bean stew. Lunch reservations were placed accordingly while we got ourselves sort of organised for the start



and the Starter photo

From the left:- A non-participant, JohnH, Café Martin´s Rep, Chris Whittle, Antony clutching the Prato do Dia menu board,, Myriam sans hijab, Antje with Sascha, Rod, Paul, Maria, Dina, Lindsey, Hazel and Geraldine.

Given that this was going to be a boringly flat expedition, it was a bit surprising to see Antony there at all because he does seem to like a diversionary climb or two. For example, the previous week, in order to take this dramatic shot:-

he had bounded up to the top of that far-off dune:- 

Anyway, back to this week, soon after we set off, meandering up through the neglected and less than semi-completed Caravela urbanisation, we passed two quite substantial villas newly painted and windowed, with workmen around . Hazel and Maria didn´t hesitate but went in to investigate – they found out that apparently both villas are owned by French incomers. Maybe more will follow.
Once past the villas, the land is flat and the tracks broad, 

giving ample opportunity for serious two-on-two conversations.

One pleasing aspect of this particular walk was the sartorial display put on by the gentlemen.

Paul sported a restrained subfusc Tilley (a new version?) and one of his multi-pocketed wind-cheaters (Tilley or Rohan ? Hard to say. I´m sure he will enlighten us.) while JohnH advertised Craghoppers under his corrugated Tilley.
Rod had started out wearing multi-layers against the cold but, when the outer layers were removed, showed a considerable elegance and colour co-ordination with his (brand names illegible).

As for Antony, it looked as if he had dressed  especially to audtion for a starring role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or Genevieve or some Alastair Sim Ealing comedy, sponsored of course by Burberry.

The ladies´response to this magnificent display was first of all to take the mickey out of the men:

and then to challenge them to P.E.

No contest.

The Track

Assorted Statistics
Total distance: 7.68 kms. Total time: 2 hrs 14 mins: Moving time: 1 hr 48 mins.
Moving average: 4.2 kph. Total ascent: 128 metres.


Back at Café Martins by 12.15 pm,  we found that a special table had been prepared for us and , despite the Café´s booming lunch time trade, we were served cheerfully and speedily. The bifanas came first.

and engaged Geraldine´s attentions

Then came the stew

which, to the delight of Hazel, Maria and Myriam, as well as beans and cabbage, also contained substantial chunks of pigs ear. There was much discussion between the three of them as to which bit of the ear was best.

The tip of the ear? Or the bit near the scalp?
For the second week running, Hazel was caught enjoying a glass of red wine on the side.

Dina was seen weeping over her plate

but pictures can be deceiving. Those were tears of gastronomic joy.
And our Food Critic-in-Chief gave the dish the thumbs up.

All in all, good value and excellent service.
The only trouble that I can see is that, with the possibility of such repasts, how are we going to be able to achieve the permanent reduction in numbers that Paul is aiming at?

WAGS - 22-23.01.2019 St. Vincent’s Day Event

WAGS - St. Vincent 2019

Antonio de Montana signing in and stepping into the blogging boots of Paulo a Pé whilst he is cruising the Caribe in MV Britannia...

This walk followed its predecessors but on a slightly lesser scale, in that it marked Dia de São Vicente on the 22nd January, culminating in a "pilgrimage" to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Graça in the  Fortaleza de Sagres, but covered only 15 km over two days.

The weather was blustery to say the least but we all met at our overnight layover of the Hotel Mira Sagres in Vila do Bispo and were ready at the usual time of 10h00 to drive to the end of the old world... Cape St. Vincent.

For once John did not use his phone activated remote camera for the group photo for fear of it blowing over. A nice lad took it for us. Lindsey, Antje and Chris were AWOL from the photo.

...and John took this one, otherwise all present and correct...a good start!

,

Whilst group photos seemed to be order of the morning we had to include the most metallic, and controversial!, of renditions of St. Vincent himself behind a backdrop of ominous skies.

With saintly rays of sunshine beginning to descend from the heavens we started north towards Praia do Telheiro passing the majestic cliffs of the Cape.

Soon some eagle eyes spotted some neolithic paintings on the exposed lower Jurassic dolomitised limestone...a profound discussion ensued...

As the clouds continued to disperse a bit we traversed a gully to Praia do Telheiro where we ventured inland to the cape flats.

With winds more or less within the parameters of controlled flight it seemed an opportune moment to unsheathe the "eye in the sky" in order to appreciate the scale of the bleak flats. Maria mentioned this was her least favourite section as the Lighthouse forever seemed very distant, her skipping gait seemed at odds with this.

Upon reaching the Sagres road we crossed to the precariously positioned Fort of Santo António de Beliche...perhaps St. Vincent had a small say in the geology of the underlying cliffs.

Having skirted the cliff edge on the southern coast of the Cape we eventually made it back to the last few hundred metres of tarmac to the end of the old world.

A fortuitous meeting with the proprietor of Restaurante Vigia, as she was about to shut up shop, led us to our very own cafe and another photo opportunity to reenact "the last coffee and tosta mista".

Finally we made it back to Hotel Mira Sagres as rain was threatening. Siestas and long hot showers were enjoyed before another hike to the restaurant directly across the road from the hotel entrance, the gastronomically renowned Café Correia. 19h30 found Senhor e Senhora Correia swimming in pots and pans putting the finishing touches, under Rod's supervision, to our fine meal of sopa de feijão e legumes, massa de peixe com camarões e galinha a cabidela.  

WAGS - St. Vincent 2019...satisfied WAGS with our very good hosts, Senhor e Senhora Correia (José and Zelita)

Lubricated with suitable libations the sounds of contentment emanating from room 101 meandered down the corridors of Hotel Mira Sagres late into the night.

Feeling invigorated and refreshed with a hearty continental breakfast we set off to storm the fort. This time the wind was down .5 on the Beaufort scale to a mere 6.5. Time for the "eye in the sky" and a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Grace.

At the far end of the Fort with its unassailable cliffs we came across the acoustic nod to Neptune where we sat and waited for him to blow his nose...it appeared to be more a monument to the proclamation of love...so we all had a group hug.

Finally, having completed a whole 2.5 km around the Fortaleza and rain clouds threatening we headed to the fishing port for a quick coffee and chocolate brownie where it was decided that the geriatrics had nothing more to prove from bygone days of blistering 25km hikes...I was not going to argue for a toss of the coin.

...Meanwhile and most poetically, somewhere on the Island of St. Vincent, Paul and Myriam were busy with their own geocaching but with us in spirit.

As a virgin to this blog, I have decided to stamp my mark by putting together a small video of our endeavours...enjoy.