“What is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.”
(Francis Bacon 1561 – 1626)
Well, he wouldn´t have found it either had he been a member of WAGS. But, if he had been, he might well have been provoked to enforce the draconian Roman laws about advertising standards on our Leader; for this is what the circular email for 21st December said:-
“Café Oriq on Silves - Porto de Lagos road about 1km towards Silves from roundabout on Portimao-Monchique road at Porto de Lagos. 10.00. (should be open for coffee by then). Walk within normal WAGS limits.” (My underlining.)
As PaulAdeV points out, the reality which we encountered, of 45 degree climbs, pushing through gorse, traversing multiple fences etc., etc., fell well beyond WAGS norms.
The Starters, all of whom managed to finish.
There were also four canine companions – Misty, Inky, Jess and Shadow. Apologies if the names are incorrect.
The Track courtesy of Rod´s AlpineQuest app.
Distance: shall we say 6 km. Moving time: 1 hr 42 mins. Average moving speed: 3.4 kph.
The Leader´s Report
“A hasty contribution; heavy domestic activity precludes more!
“A good selection of WAGS turned out on a splendid day....Paul, Myriam, John, Hazel, Geraldine, Maria, Ingrid, Tony, Peter and Rod .....and there immediately ensued an argument as to whether our meeting establishment was called Cafe Oriq, as spelt by the leader who of course knew best, or Cafe Ourique. The correct " Oriq" was incontrovertibly proven by the faded name painted on an ancient anfora in the forecourt. (More on this later: Ed.)
“Having resolved that, our leader then led everyone up the garden path behind the cafe. This was quite pretty until it lived up to the description by abruptly ending in a steep ascent through scrubby cistus. Moans and groans of course and mutters that this was not WAGS territory. A more acceptable path was reached at the top and although we were obliged to climb over, under or through assorted fences which no longer seemed to serve much purpose, we stuck to tracks thereafter. There were plenty of all-round views towards Monchique, Portimao, the Arade estuary and down onto the large Edp substation out of general sight down in a wide hollow, as well as plenty of ups and downs to maintain some level of respiration. A shortish walk in territory not visited for a decade but perhaps enough bearing in mind other seasonal activities.”
A fair summary I suppose, although it does seem to spare Paul´s blushes. Paul is one who takes justifiable pride in the perfection of his gear and kit but, on this occasion, barely 30 seconds into the walk, one of his poles telescoped shut under his weight and wouldn´t re-extend, and it was only thanks to Ingrid who, experienced walker that she is, always has spares for any emergency, that they could nip back to the car park to collect a replacement stick. While the rest of us hung around for 5 minutes or so, a local horse regarded us quizzically:-
Then we were off, along that beguiling garden path, only to be faced by an almost impenetrable hillside. However, Rod and Hazel between them found a way up and the rest of us followed with degrees of difficulty. Some strange concrete drain sumps with stout iron grid covers were sunk into the hilltop for no discernible reason.
We admired the EDP installation while we caught our breaths and then broke into the large private estate. The fences were in a rather dilapidated state; perhaps the owners have other things on their minds at present.
Various other barriers were negotiated without too much trouble………...
Myriam hamming it up of course for the benefit of the cameras:-
Good views as the Leader´s report says, over a remarkably rugged bit of landscape,
and to the north over the Odelouca valley.
Going down into the valley, Hazel found some mushrooms
Passing by Casa das Corujas brought back memories for some.
Pictures of the Odelouca bridge were taken.
It did all end happily though and the tostas were good, as Paul remarks.
The debate about Oriq/Orique then reignited in a gentle sort of way,with learned contributions by Ingrid and Rod.
The restaurant itself bears no name on its frontage, but a little investigation did reveal that the operating licence pasted to its front door uses the words “Restaurante Ourique”, as indeed do its faturas simplificadas.
However, the ancient ânfora clearly shows “Oriq”. Maria pragmatically pointed out that it would have been clearer to paint the four letter version on the surface of the pottery than the longer one.
The longer official version, or the romantic abreviation? Take your pick.
Post-Scriptum
Perhaps we could have gone to the left. Ah well, next time.
